During unfortunate incidents, many people unintentionally tamper with evidence, hindering their chances of receiving the appropriate claim amount. As a policyholder, whenever you experience an insured loss, whether from fire, flood, burglary, or any other peril, it’s crucial to understand how to manage the situation and prepare for a risk inspection or survey.
Before diving into how to prepare for a visit from a risk survey team, let’s break down who a risk surveyor is and what they do.
A risk surveyor is a professional engaged by the insurance company to assess and prioritise the risks associated with your property or project. Their systematic process, known as a risk survey, involves gathering information through onsite inspections and interviews to understand potential hazards and assess their impact on your coverage. This process is designed to ensure your safety and protection, and reduce the possibility of claims.
After an incident has occurred, insurance companies also send risk engineers on site for the purposes of Claims investigation, assessment of damages, fraud detection and prevention, determining liability, regulatory compliance, updating risk profiles, and adjusting future premiums, among other things. The risk survey team also ensure that claims are handled fairly and adequately, by reporting adequately on their findings from the site visits, which lead to largely satisfactory claims settlement.
Knowing what to do and how to do it right matters when an insured incident occurs. Here’s what you need to know when you experience a claim incident:
1. Inform Your Insurer Immediately
As soon as an incident occurs, it is crucial to take proactive steps and contact your insurance company to report same. Prompt notification is not just urgent; it’s a responsibility. It initiates the claims process and ensures that you meet any deadlines outlined in your policy. Delaying this step can affect your eligibility for compensation. You may contact your insurer through your insurance broker or your relationship manager.
2. Report Theft to the Police
If the incident involves theft, it is essential to file a police report immediately. Reporting the incident helps recover stolen items and provides official documentation required by insurers to process your claim. The police report serves as substantial evidence for your case.
3. Notify Ghana Fire Service in Case of a Fire
In the event of a fire, alerting the Ghana National Fire Service is critical for safety and damage control, whether it directly affects your property or someone else’s. Firefighters can help contain the situation and prevent further losses, while the report they issue can support your insurance claim.
4. Do Not Tamper with the Evidence
After an incident, it’s essential to leave the scene untouched. Tampering with evidence can interfere with investigations conducted by law enforcement or insurance adjusters, making it harder to determine the cause of the loss. Preserving the scene helps ensure that the claims team processes your claim accurately. If necessary, secure the area from further damage or theft.
5. Take Plenty of Photos/Videos
As Berenice Abbott, an American Photographer, once said, “Photography helps people to see.” By documenting the scene with clear photographs, you can effectively capture any damages, theft, or other relevant details related to the incident, providing valuable evidence for your claim. Visual evidence is crucial in supporting your claim, helping adjusters accurately assess the extent of the loss. This documentation will play a vital role in speeding up the claims process.
6. Make Time to meet the Risk Surveyor
Preparing thoroughly for the risk survey team’s visit is critical to ensuring a smooth and quick settlement of your claim. The survey team may ask questions about the incident, the condition of your property or project before the incident, and any security measures in place. Feel free to ask the survey team questions about the claims process, what additional steps you need to take, and any specific documents or information your insurer may require. Being proactive will streamline the process and help you get your entitled compensation.
Whenever in doubt and you don’t know what to do, contact your relationship manager, your insurance broker or your insurer and they will offer you all the help you need to navigate your circumstances. At Hollard, we pledge to put customers’ needs first while offering them expert advice when they need it the most. Hollard has always been different, so throw away your stress ball and call us on our toll-free on 0800 444 999 for assistance.
About the Writer
The writer, Aviel Benni Derry is a Communications Specialist with Hollard Ghana and a member of Women in PR Ghana and the Institute of Public Relations (IPR). She can be reached on 0578761757.
