Make a Claim
Emergency Claims
If our office is closed when you need to make a claim, please try to reach us directly so we can guide you through the first steps. We aim to respond to your calls as soon as possible, but in an emergency where we cannot be reached, please click the button below.
Have you been involved in an accident?
Here's what to do next:
Being involved in an accident can be a very stressful event. Here are some basic tips to help protect both yourself and your interests:
- Call the police immediately, and an ambulance if necessary.
- Do not admit liability.
- Record details of the accident including date, time, location, a description of the accident, any injuries, and any charges laid.
- Record details concerning the other party and vehicle such as owner’s name and address, phone number, and vehicle year, make and model.
- It is very important to obtain the insurance information of the other driver. This includes the name of the insurance company, the policy number, and the name of the broker or agent.
- Obtain a copy of the police report from the attending officer as this will include the accident report number for future reference.
These tips are merely general rules of thumb, and may not fit all situations. For more information, please contact us.
What do I do in case of a loss?
How you make your claim is just as important as what you claim. The right time to make a claim is immediately or as soon as possible. Alert our office or your insurer as soon as you can.
If any danger or ongoing damage is occurring, your first priority should be to ensure your safety and limit the damage to your property. At that point, you should take care to act quickly and with the right information.
- Alert us or your insurer of an insured loss as soon as your situation permits.
- Keep phone numbers available.
- Alert the police of any theft or break-in.
- Do not alter evidence of the loss, for example, by starting to clean up after a pipe burst or altering. the scene of a break-in. If you absolutely must alter anything, take detailed pictures of the damage first.
Consider whether or not you should make a claim
First things first. Should you make a claim? There are some situations in which you shouldn’t. Some basic considerations include:
- Is it covered? Remember that your policy has limits and exclusions that mean some losses are not covered. Property belonging to your employer, for example, is probably not covered. Damage from a fire that was set intentionally might not be covered, and theft of a valuable painting could be beyond your insurance limit. Is it covered? Ask us first.
- If the loss is less than the amount of your deductible, you cannot make a claim.
- If your loss is covered and above the amount of your deductible, you might still not want to make a claim if your premiums will increase as a result. Again, ask us for advice. Our brokers can help you make the right decision.
Work with your broker and the claims adjuster
Once your claim has been made, the insurance company may appoint an adjuster to get a clear picture of the circumstances and extent of the loss. They may assist in securing repairs and can help with arrangements for accommodations. They might also decide to limit the amount of a payment or to not pay at all, depending on the situation. If you are unsure about the role of your adjuster and the information they’re using, be sure to contact us. We can help provide clarity.
At Jones Insurance, we can help you with every step of the claims process.
