Claiming Home And Contents Insurance

Let’s say an incident occurs in your home. If it’s property damage, then the process is generally straightforward; you might need to take some photos of any damage before you make a claim to your insurer.

But if it’s something more serious like having valuable possessions stolen from your home, then here are the first things may need to do:

1. Make sure you’re safe.
   If there’s any property damage, make sure you’re physically safe and not at risk of injury from things like loose fittings, fixtures, wires, etc.

   If something valuable from your home is stolen, make sure you’re safe from any further theft or conflict from the perpetrator, and then report the incident to the police as soon as you can.

   In the event of stolen valuables, the police will file a report which could help your provider validate your claim.

   You may want to report the incident to police within 24 hours, because some insurance providers may not allow you to otherwise make a claim. You can check this information in your Product Disclosure Statement.

2. Take photos or collect evidence.
   Try to gather as much evidence of the damage, loss, or theft as you can. This can help the claims process when you contact your insurer to explain what happened .

   You may also need to provide receipts or documentation relating to any damaged property or stolen possessions.

3. Contact your Home and Contents insurance provider.
   Give your provider a call, or depending on your provider, make your claim online. They will then register your claim and email you or call you to notify you of your claim’s progress.

When can I make a Home and Contents insurance claim?

Home and Contents claims are typically made in relation to any of the below listed events.

• Theft or attempted theft
• Damage due to fire and/or explosion
• Storm and rainwater damage
• Accidental breakage of glass, ceramic and sanitary fixtures
• Sudden and unexpected escape of liquid
• Lighting damage
• Earthquakes
• Impact

Home and Contents claims may also be made on specific items of value such as heirloom jewellery and valuable artworks, as long as you’ve specified these items on your Contents policy.

How do I make a Home and Contents insurance claim?

Most insurers try to make it simple and straightforward to make a Home and Contents insurance claim. Whether you are making a claim over the phone or online, you may need to provide your insurer with a few details, including:

• Your Home and Contents policy number
• Date and time of the incident or event that has resulted in loss or damage
• Any evidence of lost or damaged items such as original receipts, photographs and so on
• Relevant documents that support your claim, such as a police report.

Consider notify your insurer promptly in the event of loss or damage to your Home and Contents. This way, the process can get underway even if you don't have everything you'll need to finalise the claim.

Depending on your policy they may even assist in organising emergency repairs, to ensure your home building is habitable, or assist with temporary accommodation until the repairs are completed.

How do I know if I have an insurance excess?

It is likely that you may be required to pay an excess fee on your claim, which should be outlined in your policies product disclosure statement.

Insurance excess is common among providers, but when in doubt, check your Product Disclosure Statement.

What if my home hasn’t been insured for the correct value?

Under-insurance could have dire consequences in the event that you need to make a claim, because you may not necessarily receive a payout that adequately covers your costs.

How can I make sure my home has been insured for the correct value?

You can start by reading through the Understand Insurance website, which is an initiative of the Insurance Council of Australia – the peak body for the general insurance industry.

You could also consider the following :

• Take note of your home’s current market value.
• Consider listing specific items with your provider such as luxury watches or jewellery.
• Take note of all of your prized possessions and add up the total dollar value.
• Search online to get a better idea of the value of items you’re unsure about.

How long will it take for my claim to be finalised?

It can typically take around 10 business days for an insurance provider to respond to your claim enquiry according to the General Insurance Code of Practice. However it is important note that every insurer will have a different length in which they assess and complete your claim.

Where can I compare options?

You can start comparing home & contents insurance policies with us at iSelect! Click here to view our range of home & contents providers.

Last Updated: 07/07/2022