Insurance Claims Advice

1. Burglary

Domestic :

a)  Report the burglary to the police and obtain a “crime number” from them.  The insurance company will reimburse you for emergency security measures such as boarding up broken windows and replacing locks etc.

b)  At the earliest opportunity inform your insurance company (or broker if you use one) that the burglary has taken place.  Ask them to send a Loss Adjuster to see you and they will probably automatically send you a claim form. 

c)  Now is the time to appoint Salmon Assessors as your independent Loss Assessor.  When the Adjuster from the insurance company comes to see you it is most important that Salmon Assessors are there to act on your behalf.

d)  Make a provisional list of all items that you think that have been stolen.  Ensure you mark the list as “provisional” as invariably there will be further items which in time you will realise have been stolen and it may take some time before the list is complete.

e)  Keep all empty boxes such as jewellery boxes or boxes for electrical equipment, anything at all where the actual item has been stolen.  Collect as many receipts and credit card bills as possible to prove that you actually possessed the items claimed for.   One useful hint is to go through family photographs where pieces of jewellery or items in the background may jog your memory as well as proving that they existed.

f)  Together we will put a value on all the items stolen and this is generally on a “cost to replace” basis.

g)  We, Salmon Assessors will now negotiate with the Loss Adjuster on your behalf and will get you the best possible settlement under the terms of your policy.

Commercial: Theft

As above but if the theft of items has meant that your business has had to close for a period of time and that stock which would have been sold for a profit has been stolen then all of these losses must be claimed for.  Salmon Assessors are experts in preparing “Loss of Profits” and ‘Consequential Loss’ claims for businesses.

2. Fire

Domestic:

a) Immediately after a fire make sure that your buildings and contents are made safe and secure.  Your insurers will agree to pay for emergency action in this respect.

b) Inform your insurance company (or brokers) and insist that a Loss Adjuster from the insurance company is instructed to come to your premises as soon as possible.

 c) This is where you instruct Salmon Assessors to act for you, meet the Loss Adjuster and ensure that everything that has been damaged is replaced or repaired as required.

d) Get a report from the fire brigade and where items have been placed outside your premises i.e. in driveways or gardens, take as many photos as you can and throw nothing away until the Loss Adjusters have seen it.   We will discuss the situation with the Loss Adjuster and agree a plan of action.  If the fire has been extensive then the most urgent thing will be alternative accommodation for you and your family and again the cost of this is covered up to a given limit in your insurance policy.

e) Keep all receipts for expenses i.e. clothing, food etc., as these will form part of the claim.

f)  Salmon Assessors  will present a full claim for replacement contents and building repair to the Loss Adjuster and ensure that you get the best possible settlement under the terms of your policy. 

Commercial: Fire

 As above and if the fire has resulted in your business having to close for a period of time and stock, machinery and/ or IT equipment being damaged, then there will be a “Loss of Profits” or ‘Consequential Loss’ claim. This part of your claim is very specialised and Salmon Assessors are experts in this field. Correct handling of your claim can be crucial to the survival of your business.

3. Flood

Domestic & Commercial:

Proceed as in fire above.