Chapter 9 - Claims notification, investigation and settlement Flashcards
When a potential claim arises, who does the ‘onus of proof’ initially fall on?
The insured
What must the insured prove when they make a claim?
The an insured peril arose
The amount of the loss
Once the insured has proved an insured peril arose and the amount of the loss - what happens next?
The responsibility shifts to the insurers.
If the insurer wants to decline a claim due to a policy exclusion, who does the onus of proof lie with?
The insurer
In proving their loss there are certain legal duties which the insured must comply with. These can be divided into what two catagories?
Implied and express duties
What is an implied duty writen?
no
What is an implied duty?
One which is imposed in common law
Which duty is: acting as though uninsured and taking all reasonable steps to minimise the loss, not hindering the insurer in the claims investigation process, taking all steps to prevent a loss from spreading and advising the appropriate authorities in the event of loss or damage.?
Implied
What is an express duty?
One that is stated in the insured’s policy documents
Where are express duties normally found?
In the general policy conditions under the claims conditions section
Notification to insurers is an express duty, what does it mean?
It usually means the insured needs to notify the insurer as soon as possible of a loss.
How soon does the insured need to notify the insurer of a riot, civil commotion or malicious damage claim?
7 days
Why does the insured need to notify the insurer of a riot, civil commotion or malicious damage claim within 7 days?
The insurer can claim back the losses from the policy but only have 42 days from the riot to do so
How many days does the insurer have to claim back costs following a riot from the policy?
42 days
When must the insurer have proived full loss details to the police following a riot to claim back costs?
90 days
What is the maximum an insurer can claim back from the police following a riot?
£1M
How must an insured claim?
The inital claim can be on the phone but the particulars must be followed up in writing
How long does the insured have to send the particulars of a claim in writing to the insurer?
30 days typically
Is taking all reasonable steps to minimise the loss an implied or express duty?
Implied
Is not hindering the insurer in the claims investigation process an implied or express duty?
Implied
Is taking all steps to prevent a loss from spreading an implied or express duty?
Implied
Is advising the appropriate authorities in the event of loss or damage an implied or express claim?
Implied
Is notification to insurers an implied or express claim?
Express
In notification to other authorities an implied or express claim?
Express
What could notification to other authorities mean?
You must notify the policy of any loss or damage caused by malicious damage or theft
If a loss is caused by malicious damage or theft - who must you notify?
The insurer and the policy
Is passing on information on a third party claim, an implied or express duty?
express
If a third party asks you questions regarding a claim, what must the insured do?
Pass them on unanswered to the insurer
If a third party contacts you regarding the claim and it is your fault, do you tell them?
No you must pass it onto your insurer to settle the claim
If a claim occurs with the third party - who looks after it?
The insurer will deal with it in order to retain control over any liability
Is preventing any further damage an implied or express duty?
Express
Is assisting the claims process and implied or express duty?
Express
What happens if you breach either an implied or express duty?
The insurer can refuse to accept the particular claim
When you make a claim the insurer needs information about the claimant - what is a claimant
Person making a claim
name
address
number
policy number
Why does the insurer need to know an estimate of the loss?
In order to put a reserve on the claim to make sure the funds are avalible
Do insurers use loss adjusters or loss assesors?
Loss adjustors
Why do insurers need to know about any other interested parties?
To take into account there financial interest when settling a claim
Why do insurers need to know about any other insurances when settling a claim?
To identify if anyone else is liable to pay for the loss
Why do insurers need to know of any other party who might be liable for a loss?
So they can pursue any rights of recovery
In addition to a claims form, what else might the insurer need as evidence on a claim?
Receipts of purchases or repairs
Police reports
A copy of the entry to the accident book
When a claims handler recieves a claims form, what is the first thing they should do?
Check the policy was in force at the time of loss
What are the three outcomes of a claim?
Valid and paid in full
Valid and partially met
Invalid and declined
When a claim is valid and partially met - what does this mean?
Paid in full minus the excess
or
the claim exceeds the sum insured so only the insured amount is paid
or
subject to average
What is the role of a loss adjustor?
An independent expert who is paid by the insurer to process a claim from start to finish