Filipinos can’t seem to get a break this 2020. The world is still in the middle of a pandemic, and then these nasty typhoons hit. With Metro Manila and parts of Luzon badly hit, there are surely those who’ll now need to file insurance claims, particularly if they’re covered by Acts of Nature or AON.
As people start rebuilding, here is a quick 7-step guide (as well as the necessary requirements) on filing Acts of Nature with your car’s insurance provider.
Step 1: Document everything
Capture as much photos or videos as you can. Keep in mind that documentation of the incident is key in filing a claim with your insurance company. The more detailed the evidence is, the faster it is for them to process your claim. Make sure to include landmarks such as street signs in your photos.
Capture as much photos or videos as you can. Keep in mind that documentation of the incident is key in filing a claim with your insurance company. The more detailed the evidence is, the faster it is for them to process your claim. Make sure to include landmarks such as street signs in your photos.
Step 2: Minimize the damage
Don’t try to start your vehicle. When you try starting it, insurance companies may rule out your claim reasoning that your car was damaged due to negligence.
Don’t try to start your vehicle. When you try starting it, insurance companies may rule out your claim reasoning that your car was damaged due to negligence.
Step 3: Report the incident to your insurance company
When it’s finally safe to do so, call your insurance company as soon as possible.
When it’s finally safe to do so, call your insurance company as soon as possible.
Provide them with all the necessary information, such as where the vehicle is parked, the time and date of the flooding incident, and other information your insurer will require you to provide.
If an insurance representative gives you instructions, follow them to the letter to avoid delays in your insurance claiming process.
They will also remind you of other important details such as exclusions and deductibles, in case you have forgotten about them. Remember these pieces of information for future reference.
Step 4: Create an incident report of the flood
In usual cases, insurers provide the insured with a kit that includes an incident report form. Fill out the form and make sure that every information you’ve provided there is factual and accurate.
In usual cases, insurers provide the insured with a kit that includes an incident report form. Fill out the form and make sure that every information you’ve provided there is factual and accurate.
There are times they might require you to make a sketch of the incident so be prepared for that. You’ll get a reference number for your claim—and keep this handy at all times.
Step 5: Prepare the documentary requirements
When you’ve made a report to your insurance company, they will ask you to submit certain requirements for filing claims. Some of the documents they might ask for are the following:
Step 6: Wait for the insurance adjuster to make contact
In insurance parlance, a claims adjuster is the one tasked to investigate the claim incident to determine the extent of the insurer’s liability to the vehicle owner. Walk them through the entire incident, answer their questions truthfully, and provide them with all the documents and other requirements needed to process the claim.
When you’ve made a report to your insurance company, they will ask you to submit certain requirements for filing claims. Some of the documents they might ask for are the following:
- Insurance policy for the vehicle
- Driver’s license
- Incident report
- Incident documentation (photos, videos, etc.)
- Official receipt/certificate of registration
- Barangay certificate saying that the barangay has been flooded
- A police report and/or notarized affidavit
Step 6: Wait for the insurance adjuster to make contact
In insurance parlance, a claims adjuster is the one tasked to investigate the claim incident to determine the extent of the insurer’s liability to the vehicle owner. Walk them through the entire incident, answer their questions truthfully, and provide them with all the documents and other requirements needed to process the claim.
The insurance inspector will also remind you of the exclusions and deductibles that will be factored in your claim.
During the investigation of the claims adjuster, they might send your vehicle to an authorized repair center already for further examination of the car’s damage. Before they give you the green light for repairs, the whole process might take days depending on the severity of the damage to your car.
Step 7: Wait for the assessment and letter of authority
Once the damage has been assessed and the insurer has found out they’re liable to your car’s flood wreck, you’ll get a letter of authority (LOA) from your insurance company, which ensures that your car will be handled by the service center—at the expense of the insurer.
Once the damage has been assessed and the insurer has found out they’re liable to your car’s flood wreck, you’ll get a letter of authority (LOA) from your insurance company, which ensures that your car will be handled by the service center—at the expense of the insurer.
For cases like flooding, insurance companies often issue the LOA within three days to prevent further damage. In the event of a total loss, which means that the cost of repairs exceeds the vehicle’s current value, a settlement will be given to you by the insurance company.
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