Property Insurance Claims Checklist: What To Do Before and After a Loss

Life is full of surprises. And when those surprises require you to file a property insurance claim, you want the process to go as smoothly as possible. Whether your home or business was impacted by water, lightning, fire, or storm damage, having a property insurance claims checklist can help you take the right steps to get back to normalcy as quickly as possible. 

How Do Insurance Claims Work?

First, let’s define what an insurance claim is — it is a formal request by a policyholder to their insurance provider for coverage or compensation for a covered loss or policy event. In most scenarios, including property insurance claims, you submit a claim, and an adjuster inspects the damage. The insurer then reviews the information gathered to identify applicable covered damage(s). If your claim is approved, your insurer may issue payment directly to you or to an approved third party, such as a contractor, on your behalf.

Property Insurance Claims Checklist

At Westfield, we know that being prepared for a loss can help you weather the storm. That’s why we’ve created a checklist that simplifies the property damage insurance claims process by outlining steps to take before and after a loss.  

Before Property Damage

1. Develop an Emergency Plan – Decide how to safely evacuate from or take cover in your home or business, including where your family members or employees will meet after a disaster. Make sure everyone in the household or company understands the plan. You may also want to consider practicing fire, earthquake, and tornado drills.  

2. Create an Emergency Contact List – Build a list of everyone you might need to call or notify should something happen. Your list should include family, friends, employees, business partners, vendors, local authorities, and your insurance provider or agent.

3. Back Up Your Important Records – Keep copies of critical documents, such as your insurance policies, in a secure location outside of your home or business. You may also want to consider saving these documents electronically.

4. Take Inventory of Your Property – Create a list of your items so you can accurately report losses. This list should include pictures and purchase receipts for valuable items, such as furniture or electronics. 

After Property Damage

1. Ensure Everyone Is Safe – Remain calm and take appropriate steps, such as moving to a safe area, to protect yourself and others from physical harm. Determine if anyone is hurt and get medical attention for anyone who needs it. 

2. Contact the Appropriate Authorities – Depending on the incident, call the police, fire, or public health officials. Make a note of any investigating authorities, so you can request a report later, if needed for the claims process.

3. Exchange Contact Information – Get the name, address, and phone number of any witnesses or others involved in the incident. If a vehicle was involved, make note of the driver’s license and license plate number, as well as the make, model, and color of the car. 

4. Notify Your Insurance – As soon as possible, report the loss to your agent and insurance company to start the claims process.

5. Protect Property From Further Damage – If safe to do so, move or cover items to prevent further damage. You may also need to make emergency repairs, such as performing water remediation, covering broken windows, or placing tarps over cracks in your roof. Keep receipts for expenses related to these repairs. 

6. Preserve the Evidence – Make sure no one other than the authorities, your claims adjuster, and contractors performing emergency repairs enter the scene of the loss. Don’t throw away damaged property without approval from your claims professional. 

7. Document the Loss – Take photos or video of damaged property and keep any receipts of expenses related to the loss, including stays at a hotel if your home was uninhabitable as a result of the damage. You’ll also want to note the date and time of the loss. 

How to File a Property Damage Claim

Westfield makes the property damage insurance claims process easy. For homeowners claims related to hail, wind, water damage, theft, or vandalism, log in to your MyWestfield account. Don’t have a MyWestfield account? Create an account today.

For all other claims call us at 800.243.0210, option 3. Our experienced claims professionals are available around-the-clock — 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Have your policy number ready when reporting a property insurance claim.

Coverages and Programs to Consider

One way to reduce the stress that often comes along with property damage is by having good insurance. With Westfield, you often can make your homeowners policy or commercial insurance stronger with optional endorsements and complimentary programs. Here are some useful coverages and programs we offer homeowners and business owners. 

• Risk Control Services: Designed to improve safety in the workplace, these no-cost programs give commercial policyholders access to a variety of services that help manage loss exposure.
• Ting: This proven fire prevention technology helps identify electrical hazards in your home, and it’s free for three years, for eligible Westfield homeowners insurance policyholders. 
• Inland Flood Insurance: When a homeowner experiences a flash flood or other flooding event, this endorsement can help cover the damage. 
• Water Back Up and Sump Discharge or Overflow: In the event of a sewage or drain backup or a malfunctioning sump pump, this add-on homeowners coverage may pay for damages.

If you’re interested in any of these coverages or programs, or would like a homeowners or commercial quote from Westfield, contact your local agent today.