Making an Insurance Claim

When it is time to make an insurance claim, the more prepared you are, the more smoothly it will go. Be familiar not only with your policies but also with the steps you should take to file a claim.

Preventive Measures

It’s important to know beforehand what to expect from the insurance company. When you buy any insurance poly what is not covered. Know what numbers to call and the type of information you will need when speaking with a claims agent.licy, read the contract carefully and learn specifical

It’s also a good idea to take an inventory of your belongings and keep the list in a safe-deposit box. Make sure to include:

Descriptions of possessions; for example, the makes and model numbers of
electronic equipment and appliances.
Photographs or a videotape showing the condition and quality of your insured items, especially jewelry or antiques and collectibles.
Appraisals of expensive items such as antiques, artwork, furs, and jewelry.
Receipts documenting purchase prices; canceled checks or charge-card statements also can be used.

When Trouble Strikes

File a complete and accurate claim as soon as possible. Take the time to fill out everything the way the insurance company wants it. Or, if you are on the phone with a claims agent, be extremely detailed in your descriptions and be certain that all your information is correct.

File a police report in the event of theft or vandalism. Your claim may be denied if you don’t.
Write a detailed account of any incident immediately after it occurs so that you are more likely to remember what happened.
Take photos of any damage.
Telephone your agent and send him or her a copy of the police report. Follow his or her instructions on how to proceed.

Filing a claim can be stressful, but being properly prepared and knowing what to expect will help move the process along, possibly allowing you to receive the funds you need to cover your losses in a more timely manner.

The information in this article is not intended to be tax or legal advice, and it may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek tax or legal advice from an independent professional advisor. The content is derived from sources believed to be accurate. Neither the information presented nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. This material was written and prepared by Emerald. © 2012 Emerald Connect, Inc.

Larry Witzel is licensed in AK, AZ, CO, DE, FL, IA, IL, IN, LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, NC, OH, TN, TX, UT, WA, and WI to offer insurance products, and life insurance (including variable life), annuities (including variable annuities), and is securities registered in AK, AZ, CA, CO, FL, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NV, OH, PA, TN, TX, UT, WA, and WI and adviser registered in IA. Bert McClintock is licensed in DE, IA, MO, NC, and TX to offer insurance products, and life insurance (including variable life), annuities (including variable annuities), and is securities registered in IA, IL, MO, and NC and adviser registered in IA. Gabe Rohwedder is licensed in IA to offer insurance products, and life insurance (including variable life), annuities (including variable annuities), and is securities registered in IA, IL, MO, and NY and adviser registered in IA.

This site is not a solicitation of interest in any of these products in any other state.

IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: Larry Witzel, Bert McClintock, and Gabe Rohwedder may only transact business in a particular state after licensure or satisfying qualifications requirements of that state, or only if he is excluded or exempted from the state's registration requirements. Follow-up, individualized responses to consumers in a particular state by Larry, Bert or Gabe that involve either the effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, as the case may be, shall not be made without first complying with the state's requirements, or pursuant to an applicable state exemption or exclusion. For information concerning the licensure status or disciplinary history of a broker-dealer, investment adviser, BD agent or IA representative or any financial institution he represents, contact your state securities law administrator.

Insurance products from the Principal Financial Group® are issued by Principal National Life Insurance Company (except in New York), Principal Life Insurance Company and the companies available through the Preferred Product Network, Inc. Securities and advisory products offered through Princor Financial Services Corporation, 800/247-1737, member SIPC. Principal National, Principal Life, the Preferred Product Network and Princor® are members of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392. Larry Witzel, Bert McClintock, and Gabe Rohwedder, Principal National and Principal Life Financial Representatives, Princor Registered Representatives, and Financial Advisors. Strategic Financial Solutions is not an affiliate of any company of the Principal Financial Group®.