Your Insurance Claim Checklist

Picture the scene: you’ve just been in a car accident and have damaged another driver’s car. You have insurance, but you have no idea how it works. What now? If you have insurance but aren’t sure what to do in cases like these, it’s time to get clued-up. Use our handy insurance checklist to learn what you should consider when making a claim.

Notify your insurer immediately

Call your insurer immediately after the incident. Share what happened and the kind of claim you’d like to make. Ask for clarity if you’re unsure of anything, even after you’ve gone through your policy. You may have to call again later or send a detailed email once you’ve left the scene of the incident.

Review your policy

Before making a claim, go through your insurance policy’s information. You should note:

• what kind of claims you can make
• the window period you have to make a claim after an incident takes place (e.g. 24 hours)
• any documents you may need to action your claim
• your insurer’s contact information (if it’s not already saved on your phone)

Gather enough evidence

The kind of evidence you’d need to gather will vary depending on the kind of incident your claim is for. For example, if you were involved in a car accident, you may need statements from witnesses. For other incidents, your insurer can provide a guideline for specific evidence you may need. This may include:

• photos of the incident
• the date and time of the incident
• how many people were involved
• if anyone was injured
• documentation like doctor’s certificates, police reports and financial statements

Tip: Ask your insurer for the full list of everything you need to submit.

Don’t leave out any details

The details that you share with your insurer could make or break your claim. Be completely honest when giving your account of the incident, and if you forget anything, let your insurer know immediately once you’ve remembered. Even if you’re embarrassed or feel uneasy about something, let them know. They understand that people can make mistakes, so don’t be afraid to share the whole story.

Don’t take anything into your own hands

You may be tempted to solve some issues related to the incident on your own, but avoid this at all costs! Contacting other parties involved, for instance, could put you in a negative light. It would also be seen as ‘fresh evidence’ (evidence that is found after the initial evidence). Leave your insurer to manage all communications and issues related to the incident.

Find more insurance claim-related tips in this blog article:

6 ways to help ensure your claims are paid