How Does the Insurance Claims Process Work?

The insurance claims process can feel daunting for many people, and that’s understandable! There can be considerable uncertainty around this process, especially if you’re not working with reliable insurance brokers focused on illuminating that process for you.

So, how does the insurance claims process look? With this blog post, we aim to demystify the process so you can confidently walk into your claim. We’re covering all the fundamentals you need to go into your first claim with confidence. Explore a few types of insurance claims and get a simple look at the process.

7 Types of Insurance Claims

At Greenlight, we’re experts in different types of insurance claims that thousands of Kiwis experience yearly, so let’s begin by explaining those claim types.

• Personal insurance claims encapsulate home, contents, vehicle, boat and other personal assets.
• Business insurance claims reduce the burden of interruption to your business with tailored insurance that considers your unique needs.
• Rural insurance claims are specialised insurance for the rural sector, designed to protect products, machinery, and other liabilities on lifestyle blocks and in rural commercial operations.
• Forestry insurance claims apply to insurance that protects commercial operations during forestry, wherever you are in the chain.
• Transport insurance claims are tailored insurance that keeps vehicles, both large and small, moving so the goods keep moving, too.
• Aviation insurance claims are high-quality insurance for fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and all other aviation-associated liability insurance.
• Travel insurance claims are for those unexpected events that interrupt your journey.

A simple look at the insurance claims process

Now that you know some of the most common types of insurance you might claim, let’s break down the insurance claim process step-by-step:

Step One: Report the incident

As soon as something happens, contact your broker. Reporting quickly can speed up the process and improve your chances of approval. If you have time, review your policy documents carefully to ensure your claim is covered by your policy.

Step Two: File your claim

Filing is the formal step in submitting your claim. Your insurer will need specific details about what happened, so be prepared to provide any paperwork, photos, receipts, or other documents that support your claim. Once all the information is supplied to your broker, they will lodge the claim with your insurer on your behalf.

Step Three: Assessment

Next, your insurer will assess your claim. They may send someone to evaluate the damage or ask for more information. During this step, the insurer determines how the loss is covered under your policy (so make sure you’ve given your policy a good look). They will also establish the excess you need to pay or deduct it from your claim.

Step Four: Claim approval or denial

Once the assessment is complete, your claim will go one of two ways. Either your insurer will approve your claim, or they will deny it. If your claim is denied, it’s likely because what you’re claiming isn’t covered under your policy, so carefully reading your policy documentation is important. Sometimes, you can appeal once they tell you why the claim was denied! If your claim is approved, your insurer will outline the amount you’ll be paid and the process you need to follow to finalise the claim.

Making a claim on your insurance policy should be simple and stress-free. The circumstances surrounding the need to claim are already stressful, so brokers like ours seek to make this process as quick and transparent as possible. If you’re still wondering, ‘How does the insurance claim process work?’ we’re here to help.

Ready to invest in an insurance policy with brokers you can trust? Talk to Greenlight Insurance

The Greenlight Insurance team offers everything from personal insurance to aviation insurance for Kiwis who need a trustworthy policy. We don’t believe that insurance is a one-size-fits-all solution. Our NZ insurance brokers work with individuals and businesses to provide tailored policies aligning with their needs. We also do everything we can to simplify the insurance claim process.

Get in touch with our team to get started today.