Declaring a claim
To declare a claim to your insurer, please observe the following deadlines: 2 working days for theft, 10 days for natural disasters and 5 working days for fire or other damage covered by the policy. You can contact your insurer by various means, such as e-mail, your customer area, by telephone, directly at the branch or by registered post. Whichever method you choose, it's vital that your declaration includes precise details: the place, date and time of the loss, as well as its known or presumed cause, accompanied by a detailed description of the damage. Don't forget to enclose invoices for the goods involved, photos, contact details for potential witnesses, and any other relevant documents that may be useful to your insurer.
Damage assessment
Insurance companies rely on tangible evidence, such as purchase invoices or estimates, to pay claims. Often, particularly in the case of major damage, an expert is commissioned to assess the damage. His or her role is to make an inventory of the goods affected, estimate their obsolescence and establish the causes and responsibilities of the loss. He or she can also propose solutions for restoring the property, whether by replacement or repair, to ensure that compensation is in line with the damage sustained.
Compensation and formalities
Once the damage has been declared and assessed by an expert, the insurance company calculates the compensation. This amount is not based solely on contractual guarantees. Other criteria such as obsolescence play a major role. Remember that the amount of the deductible specified in your insurance contract will be deducted from the total compensation, unless otherwise stipulated. This sum will remain at your expense, so you should pay particular attention to it when negotiating and signing your home insurance contract.