Home Insurance Claim Process in India

• A claim is a request to get compensation for damage or loss to your insured home or belongings.
• The first step is to inform your insurer about the loss or damage.
• A police report is mandatory for theft and burglary claims, while a fire brigade report is a must for fire-related claims.
• You need to prevent further damage to your home and property and collect evidence through photographs.
• To file a successful claim, submit all required documents, including the claim form, policy documents, repair bills, invoices, property documents, etc.

A home insurance claim is a formal request/application made by a policyholder to the insurance provider to get compensation for damage, loss and destruction of the insured home and home contents. You can file a claim for a house insurance policy for covered events like fire, earthquakes, floods, landslides, rockslides, storms, cyclones, tsunamis, riots, strikes, impact damage, etc., depending on your selected plan.

Every insurer has a structured process to file a home insurance claim. The requirements may change with different plans, optional covers and claim types, as mentioned in the policy terms and conditions. Some expenses and damage are also not covered under the plan and are listed under exclusions.

The claim process allows the insurer to verify the damage, assess repair/reconstruction costs and determine whether it falls within the policy coverage. Insurers may require a detailed survey, including physical inspection of your home to determine the nature and extent of damage.

If a covered event, such as fire, home burglary, natural calamity, or manmade disaster, damages or destroys your home or belongings, follow these steps to file a claim.

Step 1: Inform the Insurance Company

First, get yourself and your loved ones to safety. Then, notify your insurer of the loss or damage through official channels, such as the insurer’s customer service helpline, dedicated email for claims or mobile application. Provide the necessary details, such as the type of event, date and time of loss, etc., as required.

Step 2: Inform the Relevant Authorities

In case of home burglary, theft or other criminal activities, you must file a complaint at your local police station within 48 hours of the incident. In case of a fire, report to your local fire brigade, whereas for disasters like floods, landslides and subsidence, report to your district administration. Make sure to get a written copy of your report.

Step 3: Take Reasonable Steps to Prevent Further Damage

Take every step you can to protect your home and belongings from further damage, including moving them to a safer location. However, avoid tampering with damaged items. Do not sell, dispose of, clean or remove damaged items and debris or carry out repairs. You should also take photographs and videos of your damaged home and contents for evidence.

Step 4: Assist with the Insurer’s Survey

Once you have filed an official house insurance claim, the insurer will appoint a surveyor to assess your loss or damage. You must cooperate with the surveyor by directing them to your home, providing every required detail and permitting them to take measurements, collect damaged items and check relevant records.

Step 5: Submit the Required Documents

For every claim, you need to submit a signed claim form, policy documents, photographs of the damage, etc. Depending on the type of claim, you may also need to submit building plans, specification books, police reports, fire brigade reports and invoices. If the insurer requires any additional documents, you will get a notification regarding the requirements.

The documents required for a home insurance claim vary depending on the type of covered event and extent of your loss. Here are some of the common documents required:

• Duly completed claim form
• Copy of policy documents
• Photographs of physical loss or damage
• Repair or reinstatement quotations and invoices
• Copy of police report for theft and burglary claims
• Copy of fire brigade report for fire-related claims
• Copy of newspaper cutting for perils covered under ‘Acts of God’
• Property title documents, building layout plan, architect report and occupancy certificate for total loss claims
• Cancelled cheque and ETF mandate for payments
• CKYC form, PAN card and address proof for claims above ₹1 lakh

The insurer may request additional documents through an official notification.

The time it takes for an insurer to settle a claim for a house insurance policy depends on the nature and complexity of the loss. Claim settlement can take longer when the insurer needs to process many documents or carry out complex surveys. The following timelines apply for various steps of the home insurance claim process:

Your insurer may reject your home insurance claim if the loss or damage does not fall within the policy’s terms and conditions or if you don’t follow the claim process. Here are some common reasons for claim rejections and how to avoid them:

• Delay in Intimation and Document Submission: Check the insurer’s claim intimation and document submission timelines and avoid any delay. If a delay is unavoidable, inform the insurer about the reason.
• Damage Excluded from the Policy: Every home insurance plan has some exclusions. Read through the policy documents to know what’s not covered before filing a claim.
• Lack of Documentation: Understand the home insurance claim process to know what evidence is required for claim settlement. Take photographs and videos of the damage and document every expense.
• Starting Repairs Without Approval: Make sure you get the insurer’s approval in writing before starting any repairs to get financial coverage.

A seamless claim settlement ensures timely access to funds to repair and reconstruct your damaged home. Know your insurer’s house insurance claim process, coordinate with the surveyor and submit all required documents to get quick settlements. In case of issues, contact the insurer’s customer support or email for clarifications.

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Protect your home and its belongings and enjoy seamless claim settlement with TATA AIG home insurance plans!