We all take out insurance policies while crossing our fingers that we never actually have to make a claim. Unfortunately, sometimes the worst does happen and things may seem pretty hectic at the time, which is why it’s important to establish a clear plan of action so that even if your head isn’t completely clear after an incident, you know exactly what steps to take to ensure your claim is successful. Here are our 5 things to remember if you need to make a claim.

1) Remember the process outlined by your insurer
It’s best to check if your insurer requires you to follow any processes after an incident. This is vital in the case of any emergency repairs as not getting in touch with your insurer first could make your claim invalid. Some insurers may even require you to use specific companies or tradesmen when in need of any repairs.

2) Try and gather as much evidence as possible
One of the best ways to ensure your claim is successful is by providing as much information and evidence as possible. This is especially true in cases such as road accidents, theft, fire or flood damage. Taking photos of the condition of your car before an incident can go a long way in helping your claim, but collecting evidence such as photos of the scene can also help greatly. Whether its photos of road signs or the details of an eyewitness the more information you have the better.

3) Don’t waste any time
If you need to make a claim, do it quickly, the sooner the better. Making a claim on your policy can be a long process, so it’s best to start the ball rolling as soon as possible and try and get everything resolved. It’s also important to remember that some policies will include deadlines, some as short as 24 hours, so don’t waste any time and get in touch with your insurer.

4) Be 100% honest at all times
When it comes to making a claim, honesty is the best policy. It can be very easy in traumatic situations to tell an exaggerated version of the truth in order to help your claim. However, if all the pieces don’t quite fit once the insurer has all the information from all parties, it could not only delay your claim, but also hurt you in the long run if it’s discovered that you were not 100% honest.

5) Stay on top of it
Once your claim has been made, it’s important to remember to not put your feet up and wait for everything to be resolved. When you first make the claim, it’s worth asking the insurer about average timescales for your type of claim, this way you’re not constantly waiting by the phone for the first few days, but you’ll also know exactly when to begin chasing things up. If you do need to chase, try and keep a record of phone calls, emails and contacts, making any follow up communications easier.

Preparation before a potential incident can go a long way in helping your claim, but keeping calm and following the steps above in a timely manner are just as important and can save you a lot of stress in the long run.