Complete Guide to Property Insurance Claims - Process, Documents Required and Tips

Author: Insurance Samadhan

If you have experienced damage or loss to your insured property, applying for a claim can be quite daunting but rest assured, it's quite an easy process if you have done your research and are cautious and vigilant throughout the whole claim process

Guidance on Property Claim Procedure in India

1. Report an FIR to the nearest local police station

The first step towards an insurance claim is reporting the insured disaster with the police. An FIR registered number would be required to validate your claim process.

Make sure you don't tamper with the evidence, unless it's an absolute emergency, refrain from touching anything in your property. Wait for the police and the insurance surveyor to inspect the situation.

2. Inform your property insurance provider

The second phone call you need to make is to your insurer, a helpline number would be mentioned on their website or on your property insurance policy document. Describe all the details to the executive and make a note of their identification details to maintain a record of your conversations with your insurer. (This might just help you in disputing insurance claims and payouts)

3. Have the insurance surveyor assess the situation of your property

A surveyor is an official assigned by the insurance company, to inspect the accident location or crime scene and assess the damage. Once the surveyor is done evaluating your property, a compiled report called the "schedule of works" is submitted to the insurer.

Be honest with the surveyor about all the events that took place during the accident/disaster. In settling property insurance claims, being honest is the only way to get you through. Don’t even hide any details that you think are relevant for the surveyor to know.

4. Fill the claim application form and gather your documents

Every property insurance provider has their own deadlines of applying for a claim, read your policy document to know what's your time limit and make sure you don't cross that.

Be cautious while filling out the property insurance claim form, recheck even the address, and contact number you have mentioned. Even the smallest of mistakes can cause a delay in processing your claim.

Here is a list of documents you might need according to your circumstances-

Fire/Flood/Cyclone/Storm claim

  • Claim form

  • First Information Report (FIR)

  • Media reporting of the incident

  • Fire Brigade Report (in case of loss/damage caused by fire)

  • Meteorological report (in case of loss/damage by Flood, Storm, Cyclone)

  • Title deed validating the ownership of the property (For Building Cover)

  • Details of fire extinguishing equipment

  • A list of Repair/ Replacement items

  • Receipts of any expenses incurred by you (Rent for alternate accommodations, meals, other daily expenses, etc)

  • If alternate accommodation is required, the proof of the confirmation and the receipts of expenses paid by you need to be submitted.

  • Evidence collected of the disaster/damage

Burglary claim

  • Claim form

  • Statement of loss confirming the items stolen

  • First Information Report (FIR)

  • Loss estimate and basis of reaching the loss estimate (Consult a legal authority or professional to assess the value)

  • Original Invoice of lost items

  • A Non-traceable Certificate issued by Police authorities

  • A Media or Newspaper coverage of the incident, if any.

  • Letter of indemnity

Other documents (Applicable for all claims)

  • KYC documents - Address proof and Identification documents like passport, pan card, aadhar card for all claims exceeding INR 1,00,000.

  • Canceled cheques of your bank account in your (policy-holder) name for enabling an NEFT claim settlement.

  • Rent agreement, if the house was given out for rent

  • Legal pinion if applicable

  • Personal injury treatment receipts

PS - Depending on the nature of the claim, additional documents may be required.

5. Collect evidence

Insurance companies all over our country have become even more cautious about paying out claims and the only thing one can blame is, the prevailing practice of fake claim requests in India.

To avoid any such accusations, while you're at the crime scene, collect all sorts of evidence you can, take videos and pictures of the damage, collect contact details of witnesses, document the cause of the fire, etc.

Although, collecting evidence will also help you strengthen your case, which can avoid any further investigations and delays.

6. Collect all receipts of expenses you have paid for

If you need to arrange accommodation for yourself and your family because of the damage caused to your property, the expenses made for your stay, meals, and other daily essentials will be reimbursed by your insurer.

Just make sure you collect all the receipts you'd like to get compensated for.

Your insurer can pay you out by transferring money to your account or replacing the things you have lost during the disaster.

If the claim amount offered is not what you expected and you think you deserve more, don't accept the offer, it's not the final ultimatum!

Our experts at Insurance Samadhan are here to help you with any property insurance-related issues you are facing. Whether it's a claim offer that doesn't satisfy you or your property claim has been rejected, contact us and we will be happy to assist you through it all!