{"id":5102,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:54","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/liability-and-insurance\/making-an-insurance-claim-checklist.html"},"modified":"2024-05-23T02:26:04","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T07:26:04","slug":"making-an-insurance-claim-checklist","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/liability-and-insurance\/making-an-insurance-claim-checklist.html","title":{"rendered":"Making an Insurance Claim Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Making an Insurance Claim Checklist<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Susan Mills Richmond, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Owning and operating a business<\/a> is a tough job. Owners must manage employees, see to business needs, and keep their customers happy. They must also prepare for inevitable business losses. Small business owners should have a comprehensive business insurance<\/a> policy to protect against property and financial losses.<\/p>\r\n

You can get many types of business insurance for your company. The standard business owners policy (BOP) includes liability coverage, business income protection, and commercial property insurance. Having small business insurance is a start. When something happens, you must file an insurance claim.<\/p>\r\n

The claims process varies depending on the insurance company and type of claim. You need a plan for making claims to ensure your insurer handles your claim quickly and with few issues.<\/p>\r\n

For more information, see FindLaw’s Business Liability and Insurance section<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Preparing for Insurance Claims<\/h2>\r\n

Business insurance claims fall into several categories. The type of coverage <\/a>you have dictates the nature of your claim. You should create a checklist for each of your policies so you can file your claims easily when needed.<\/p>\r\n

The first step in any insurance claim is collecting evidence of your claim. This may include pictures or videos of property damage or financial records showing evidence of loss of income. You should obtain names and contact information for any involved parties as soon as possible.<\/p>\r\n

If your business is subject to PCI standards<\/a>, you may have cyber insurance. Cyber insurance is a type of business insurance that protects businesses against data breaches and hacking. There are special reporting requirements for PCI DSS breaches, and your insurance coverage may differ from general liability insurance. Ask your insurance agent about any specialized coverage like cyber insurance.<\/p>\r\n

Checklists and Deadlines<\/h2>\r\n

Many policies have strict deadlines for making claims. In general, you must notify your insurance carrier within 30 days of the date of the incident. Don’t assume your insurer will know you’ve been the victim of a natural disaster. File a claim no matter how obvious it may be.<\/p>\r\n

Property Insurance Claims<\/h3>\r\n

Property insurance protects you against most types of damage. Your policy may have exclusions for some types of damage, such as natural disasters. Confirm your coverage with your agent when you purchase your policy. Your property damage claim should include:<\/p>\r\n