When a claim happens, everybody loses – the policyholder, the claimant, the agent, and the insurance company. Whether the loss results in property damage, an illness/injury with medical costs, or some other disruption, each party could end up suffering. Fortunately, the right insurance coverage can minimize the impact... and proper reporting of claims can ensure the fastest possible return to normal with the least amount of pain and inconvenience.

Regardless of the kind of policy you have, you can do yourself a service by taking a few basic, common-sense steps to report your claim properly.

1– Be Prompt
Timely reporting of claims to your carrier matters. By being prompt:

• The investigation can begin before key witnesses and/or evidence aren't available.
• The carrier can offer advice on properly securing damaged property.
• The carrier can assist in obtaining proper medical care (when necessary).

In other words, taking the correct steps sooner rather than later can help produce a better outcome for all parties.

2– Document the Event
When making your report, be sure to have all needed information in hand – including photos of the loss and/or scene of the claim. (These days, many people carry a phone with a camera – a quick and easy way of capturing evidence.)

While each insurer offers somewhat different guidelines for documentation, the request for accurate, thorough information is universal. Remember, a workplace claim might require both reporting to your insurance company and to OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration), and doing both when the details are fresh will help make the process easier.

3– Follow-up and Investigate the Cause Understanding "Why" is the first step in preventing a repetition. According to the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT): "Companies should have an incident investigation process to [help] ensure that:

• All incidents (including "near misses") are investigated.
• Corrective actions are determined [to help] identify the root cause.
• Corrective actions are tracked until they are completed.
• Trends are reviewed, gaps are identified and improvement plans are developed to prevent future occurrences."

Timely Reporting is the Law
While prompt, thorough reporting of claims makes good business sense, many policies and regulatory authorities have stated reporting requirements as well. The surest way to avoid potential problems is to adopt good practices today.

Automatic Data Processing Insurance Agency, Inc.