Property Damage Claim

A claim is a request by a policyholder or third party to an insurance company for compensation of losses covered by insurance. Every insurer has a process outlined in all their policies for filing a claim, which begins when the insured suffers a covered loss, e.g. a house fire or pipe break, and contacts the insurer to notify them of the event. This initial communication is known as a "Notice of Claim" and provides the insurer with the basics of the loss, including the time, location, and type of loss.

The term claim can sometimes refer to the initial notice of claim but is frequently used to refer to the entire process, from loss to recovery.

The party that files a claim is known as the claimant.

It is important to be aware of the Notice of Claim provision in your own policies, as failing to follow the process explained in the policy provisions can cause delays and other issues in the claims process.

See also: loss