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Insurance Checklist Makes Filing a Claim Easier

(ARA) – If you had to make a claim on your homeowner’s insurance, would you have the information you need at your fingertips, or would you be asking yourself “how much did I pay for that sound system?”

Putting together a detailed record of your possessions may seem at first glance like a time-consuming and even dull prospect. While it will take a commitment on your part, it may turn up interesting information and it certainly will be invaluable if you should ever need to file a claim. To help get you going, print out the checklist from the Farmers Insurance Group Web site at http://www.farmers.com/.

One of the easiest ways to document your household inventory is by taking photos of every room (and don’t forget the basement, attic and garage). Digital cameras are great for this purpose. Once you have a photographic record, you need to add the details. For example, keep track of the serial number, make and model of all appliances. Gather up receipts for your big-ticket items such as appliances, furniture, art and jewelry and store them in a safe place. You may want to photocopy your inventory and store a second set of information somewhere other than your house -- with a relative or in a safety deposit box.

“When someone has their life disrupted -- whether through a natural disaster or a break-in, this type of list helps makes the process easier,” says Bryan Murphy, chief claims officer, senior vice president at Farmers Insurance. The company’s HelpPoint program was also developed to make it easier for people who have experienced a disaster.

“Waiting hours, even days between sending information to your insurer and getting the claim resolved can be frustrating and add to the stress of the experience,” says Murphy. With HelpPoint, when customers call the toll free number, the customer service representatives will not only handle the customer’s actual physical losses, but will also help them deal with the initial shock that inevitably follows a crisis.

The specially trained service reps will help customers order their priorities, think through their options and even anticipate their needs without all the waiting. Customers will be linked to their claim information via the Internet so they can log on and monitor their claim’s progress in addition to contacting their agent or a HelpPoint representative. “We want to take the customer beyond the financial support of the traditional insurer; we offer clear guidance in what is sometimes a rather confusing experience,” says Murphy.