Make a Claim

If you need to speak to one of our staff about an issue that has occurred outside office hours, please contact our office and follow the message on our answering machine.

Please forward any letters of demand to us to be dealt with. Do not answer or acknowledge this type of correspondence without prior consultation.

If a third party makes a claim against you, do not admit or deny liability. It is your insurer’s prerogative to do this.

Collate the claim documentation as soon as possible following the event and while details of the circumstances are still clearly defined in your memory eg claim forms, letters of demand, medical certificates, repair and/or replacement quotes. The speedy preparation and presentation of claims documents enables a speedy settlement of claim.

You must provide your insurer or their investigators with all information that they reasonably require to assess your claim or defend any claim against you.

Lodgement of a claim

Claims vary from minor to major losses and insurance companies have various methods of reporting.

We recommend you contact us to discuss your situation and allow us to lodge the claim with the insurer on your behalf. With our preferred claim lodgement channels we can save you time and disruption.

Requirements of Specific Policies

Motor

Please have important information on hand to assist in this process. For your vehicle, we will need the name, age, drivers license number and expiry date for the driver or person in charge of the vehicle.

For other vehicles involved, we will need the type of car and registration number, drivers name, phone number and residential address along with who they are insured with.

Please provide a description of the accident whilst taking photos of damage to the vehicles at the scene is also a good idea.

If you are registered for GST please provide your ABN and ITC percentage.

Property Damage

If it safe to do so, please take all reasonable steps to maintain the security of your premises and prevent further damage to your property. If required, call the necessary emergency services department. Report the incident to us by either contacting our office or by following our after hours emergency contact message.

Please do not destroy any damaged property until the insurer instructs you to do so.

Home

Follow the property damage details above and please contact our office with details of the incident so we can advise and lodge the claim on your behalf.

Insurers often have preferred suppliers who supply goods at discounted rates meaning the insurer can often replace the item cheaper than what you can when paying retail prices. If you replace the item without the insurer’s consent then you may be exposing yourself for the difference in replacement prices.

Taking photos of damaged items can assist with the claim.

Theft, Burglary or Malicious Damage

Report these claims to the police as soon as possible and otherwise follow the procedures for Property Damage. You will need to formulate a list of stolen or damaged items along with proof of ownership. We recommend you contact us to discuss the best ways to satisfy the insurer’s requirements.

Once again, Insurers often have preferred suppliers who supply goods at discounted rates meaning the insurer can often replace the item cheaper than what you can when paying retail prices. If you replace the item without the insurer’s consent then you may be exposing yourself for the difference in replacement prices.

Liability

Always record any incidents that could lead to a liability claim including the names and addresses of any witnesses. Ask any claimant to put their claim in writing. Do not admit liability to a prospective claimant or offer a settlement as this may damage your right to claim under the policy.

Report any liability claims, or potential liability claims to us, as a matter of urgency. Provide us with copies of any documents provided by the claimant and any documents that you hold that are relevant to the claim. Once notified, the insurer will review the matter and correspond with the claimant.

Machinery Breakdown

Report the claim to us immediately.

Take whatever action is necessary to minimise interruption to your business. Retain any damaged parts of the machine as evidence of your loss.

If refrigerated stock requires removal, obtain a “destruction certificate” from the appropriate health authority as evidence of your loss.