Washington, DC — Important, but sometimes difficult, filing a claim can be one of the most frustrating processes during a crisis or following a major disaster. A delay in the claims process was the No. 1 complaint of insurance consumers in 2007, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), of which the DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) is a member.

“It is critical that when a disaster occurs, you have easy access to the information your insurance company needs to process your claims,” said DISB Commissioner Thomas E. Hampton. To help you avoid problems getting your claims paid, NAIC offers these tips:

Know Your Policy
Understand what your policy says. The policy is a contract between you and your insurance company. Know what’s covered, what’s excluded and what the deductibles are.

File Claims as Soon as Possible
Don’t let the bills or receipts pile up. Call your agent or your company’s claims hotline as soon as possible. Your policy may require you to make the notification within a time frame.

Provide Complete, Correct Information
Be certain to give your insurance company all the information it needs. Incorrect or incomplete information will only cause a delay in processing your claim.

Keep Copies of all Correspondence
Whenever you communicate with your insurance company, be sure to keep copies and records of all correspondence. Write down information about your telephone and in-person contacts, including the date, name and title of the person you spoke to and what was said. Also, keep a record of your time and expenses.

Ask Questions
If there is a disagreement about the claim settlement, ask the company for the specific language in the policy that is in the question. Find out if the disagreement is because you and the insurance company interpret your policy differently. If this disagreement results in a claim denial, make sure you obtain a written letter explaining the reason for the denial and the specific policy language under which the claim is being denied.

Don’t Rush into a Settlement
If the first offer made by an insurance company does not meet your expectations, be prepared to negotiate to get a fair settlement. If you have any questions regarding the fairness of your settlement, seek professional advice.

Auto and Homeowners Claims
Auto and homeowners policies might require you to make temporary repairs to protect your property from further damage. Your policy should cover the cost of these temporary repairs, so keep all receipts. Also, maintain any damaged personal property for the adjuster to inspect. If possible, take photographs or video of the damage before making temporary repairs.

Other Tips for Filing Auto or Homeowners Claims:

• Don’t make permanent repairs. An insurance company may deny a claim if you make permanent repairs before the damage is inspected.
• If possible, determine what it will cost to repair your property before you meet with the claims adjuster.
• Provide the claims adjuster with records of any improvements you made to your property.
• Ask the claims adjuster for an itemized explanation of the claim settlement offer.

Accident and Health Claims
Ask your physician to provide your insurance company with details about your treatment, medical conditions and prognosis.

If you suspect a provider is overcharging, ask the insurance company to audit the bill and verify whether the provider used the proper billing procedure.

If you have a dispute with your insurer about the amount or terms of the claim settlement, you should contact DISB for assistance at (202) 727-8000 or disb.dc.gov.

For more information about auto, home and health insurance options, and tips for choosing the coverage that is right for you and your family, visit disb.dc.gov for Insure U.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is a voluntary organization of the chief insurance regulatory officials of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories. The NAIC’s overriding objective is to assist state insurance regulators in protecting consumers and helping maintain the financial stability of the insurance industry by offering financial, actuarial, legal, computer, research, market conduct and economic expertise.

Formed in 1871, the NAIC is the oldest association of state officials. For more than 135 years, state-based insurance supervision has served the needs of consumers, industry and the business of insurance at-large by ensuring hands-on, frontline protection for consumers, while providing insurers the uniform platforms and coordinated systems they need to compete effectively in an ever-changing marketplace. For more consumer information visit InsureUonline.org.