Filing a Home or Auto Insurance Claim? Here’s Why a Broker is Your Best Ally
September 26, 2024
Home & Auto Insurance is designed to be your safety net when life takes a turn—whether it’s a fender-bender, a burst pipe, or something more serious. But when you’re already dealing with the aftermath of an unexpected event, having to file an insurance claim can add to the stress.
From gathering documentation to understanding policy details to negotiating settlements, the process can seem daunting—but with the right ally in your corner, it doesn’t have to be! That’s where an insurance broker, like PROLINK, comes in. As a refresher, a broker is an intermediary between you and the insurance company, helping you navigate the market for a policy that fits your needs and budget.
More than just a middleman, a broker can act as your advocate: guiding you through procedural complexities, ensuring you get the full benefits of your policy, and working to secure the best outcome for your claim. Keep reading to learn more about a broker’s crucial role in helping you navigate the claims process and real-world stories to illustrate why having one on your side can make all the difference!
1. We have the expertise to guide you through any sticky situations.
Insurance policies are often complex, with jargon that can be difficult for the average person to understand. Experienced insurance brokers have a wealth of insurance expertise, and we’re always available to clarify the specific ins and outs of your coverage and offer claims-related advice.
Brokers also have experience dealing with various kinds of claims from beginning to end, and can help you navigate any deadlines, required documentation, and interactions with adjusters. And if an insurer denies your claim, we won’t accept it without looking into it first!
Claim Scenarios: What if your claim is wrongfully denied?
What happened?
A client’s claim was denied by an adjuster for an at-fault auto accident because the insurer said that the client didn’t have collision coverage.
What happened?
Another client experienced a flood in their basement and was being denied loss of income coverage because the adjuster said that the endorsement wasn’t listed on their policy.
How did PROLINK help?
PROLINK’s dedicated Claims Advisor reviewed the policy wordings and found it was true that the client didn’t have collision coverage—but that’s because they actually had all perils coverage, which includes both collision and comprehensive coverage! We contacted the adjuster, who apologized and covered the claim.
How did PROLINK help?
Our Claims Advisor contacted the adjuster and explained that this coverage wasn’t showing as an endorsement on the client’s Home Insurance policy because it was built directly into the policy’s terms and conditions! The adjuster apologized and covered the claim.
2. We’ll listen to your needs and advocate for you.
A broker acts as the liaison between you and the insurance company, ensuring that your needs are represented and helping to clear up any miscommunication or misunderstandings. We’re great listeners, and as an independent insurance brokerage, we’re different from an insurance agency because we’re not obligated to push for the interests of any specific insurance company! We have over 35 insurer partners that we work with, so you can rest assured that our clients’ needs will always take priority.
Also, brokers are familiar with industry standards and will notice if an insurer may be acting in bad faith or deviating from standard practices. And if the insurer offers a lower settlement than expected, we can negotiate on your behalf for a fairer payout.
RELATED: 5 Advantages of Using an Independent Insurance Broker
Claim Scenarios: What if you’re being overcharged?
What happened?
A client called with an unrelated insurance inquiry. During the conversation, our Claims Advisor recalled that the client recently had an Auto Insurance claim and asked how it went. They said it went well and mentioned that they paid a deductible of $1,000.
What happened?
An insurance company wanted to rate an at-fault loss on this client’s auto policy, which would result in higher premiums for the client. However, the at-fault loss was a single-vehicle accident where the client opted to pay for their own damages, with no payout needed by the insurance company.
How did PROLINK help?
Our Claims Advisor remembered that this claim was a not-at-fault accident and our client provided the at-fault party’s insurance details to the insurer. The client’s policy also included Direct Compensation Property Damage (DCPD) coverage, which automatically covers damages to your vehicle when you’re not at fault for a collision—so a deductible should never have been charged in the first place. We guided the client to contact her adjuster immediately to ask for the $1,000 to be refunded and we also reached out to the adjuster on our end. In the end, our client got the refund.
How did PROLINK help?
We are aware of an Auto Insurance reform that took effect in 2016, stating that a minor collision with no injuries and no insurance payout exceeding $2,000 wouldn’t affect a person’s Auto Insurance policy moving forward. Considering this fact, our Claims Advisor challenged the insurer, and they backtracked and confirmed that the loss wouldn’t be considered when calculating the client’s Auto Insurance premium.
3. We’ll do the heavy lifting on your behalf.
Everything that comes with filing an insurance claim, especially after a loss or major event, can be stressful and emotionally taxing. A broker can handle the more technical aspects of the process, allowing you to focus on other priorities. We’re dedicated to staying on top of the claim’s progress, following up with the insurer and keeping you updated, saving you time and energy during a difficult time.
Claim Scenarios: What if your policy is missing something?
What happened?
A client called in wanting to make a claim for an expensive piece of jewelry that was mysteriously lost, suspected to be stolen while their home had visitors for an open house. Additionally, this client waited 1.5 months after the incident before calling us, and never reported it to the police. The piece of jewelry wasn’t listed on the insurance policy, but when the client was informed of this, they said they assumed it had always been included.
How did PROLINK help?
Despite initial doubts surrounding the legitimacy of this claim, the PROLINK team did some research and found that the client had indeed contacted us many years ago inquiring about a quote and timeline to add this bracelet to the policy, but a former team member who received the inquiry never responded. We advised the client to file a police report, and spoke to underwriters for months on end to negotiate a favourable claims result for our client. Eventually, we were able to leverage PROLINK’s existing good partnership with the insurer and they agreed to retroactively add the diamond bracelet to the policy and charge the client all the backdated premiums. In the end, the claim was approved and paid out to the client.
Submitting an insurance claim isn’t always a walk in the park—but with PROLINK by your side, you’ll have a dedicated advisor supporting you every step of the way! From finding the right coverage to sticking up for you through tough claims, we’ll simplify the claims process, ensure that your provider treats you fairly, and help you get the most possible value out of your policy.
And as an independent brokerage, we always act in our client’s best interest rather than any particular insurance company, so you can count on us for unbiased, genuine advice tailored to your unique needs. With over 40 years of experience and access to a wide network of over 30 insurance providers, our team has seen it all—and we have the expertise to get you the right coverage, from the right insurer, at the right price.
To learn more, connect with PROLINK today!
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PROLINK’s blog posts are general in nature. They do not take into account your personal objectives or financial situation and are not a substitute for professional advice. The specific terms of your policy will always apply. We bear no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or timeliness of any external content.