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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:
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.
You may also need to provide receipts or documentation relating to any damaged property or stolen possessions.
Home and Contents claims are typically made in relation to any of the below listed events.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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 :
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.
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