Been in a collision? Has your home been burglarized? Was your business damaged by water? You’ll want to get things back to normal as quickly as possible.
We hope you’ll never have to file a claim, but if you do, here’s what you should know.
Record all details about the event. Make a complete list of damaged, destroyed or stolen items. Take photos and detailed notes.
Call your insurance representative as soon as you can.
Carefully review the terms and conditions in your insurance policy to confirm:
If the specific loss or event is covered
Any exclusions, losses or events that aren’t covered
Any deductibles, coverage limits, replacement values, terms and conditions
When you must submit your claim
Decide what to do next. You may want to pay for damage instead of filing a claim. For example:
If the deductible you must pay is equal to, or less than, the total repair cost
If you have a claims-free discount and the cost to repair the damage is low
If you choose to file a claim, complete all required forms and provide all required documentation to your insurance representative and/or company.
Discuss with your insurer if you can use a supplier of your choice to repair property damage.
Are all claims the same?
While there are similar steps for filing an insurance claim, auto, home and business claims have specific requirements and procedures.
Understand what you’re responsible for and how to make the claims process smoother whether you’ve been in a collision or suffered damage to your home or business.
How to file an auto insurance claim
How to file a home insurance claim
How to file a business insurance claim
What to expect from your insurer
Insurance is a legally binding contract between a policy holder (you, the customer) and the policy provider (your insurance company).
When you file an insurance claim, your insurance representative will:
review your policy and the circ*mstances of the loss with you
assign an insurance adjuster to help examine the claim – including the loss situation – and determine the eligibility and coverage limits of the claim in accordance with your policy
ask for additional information such as medical records, police reports, receipts, photos, home inventory lists, etc. to help process your claim
inform you of what is and is not covered based on your policy
It’s important to remember your insurance representative is a resource for you to rely on, and will answer your questions throughout the entire claims process.
What if I have a dispute about my claim?
Things don’t always go as you’d planned and it’s important to know that you have options when filing a complaint. Start by getting more information from your insurer and consider contacting the company’s ombudsperson.
If you have a complaint about your insurer or insurance professional, we’ve outlined your options to help ensure your concerns are addressed. Please note that dispute practices vary from one province to another.
FAQs
(b) The answer to the statement of claim may include any counterclaims against the claimant, cross claims against other respondents, or third party claims, specifying all relevant facts and remedies requested, as well as any additional documents supporting such claim.
How do I write an answer to a summons? ›
Your answer should include the court name, case name, case number, and your affirmative defenses. Print three copies of your answer. File one with the clerk's office and mail (or “serve”) one to the plaintiff or plaintiff's attorney. The plaintiff is the debt collector, creditor, or law firm suing you.
What is included in a defendant's answer? ›
Mostly, an answer includes the defendant's counterclaims (allegations or claims against the plaintiff) and/or affirmative defenses (legal defenses that can defeat the plaintiff's claim).
What is the difference between complaint and answer? ›
The defendant's response to a complaint is called the answer. The answer contains the defendant's version of the events leading to the lawsuit and may be based on the contents of the complaint. The filing of the answer is one option that the defendant has in deciding how to respond to the complaint.
What is an example of a strong claim statement? ›
Here are some examples:
- Public transportation should be made free in order to reduce air pollution, traffic congestion, and support low-income families.
- High school students should be required to engage in at least 100 hours of community service before graduation to foster citizenship, responsibility, and empathy.
Claims are statements about what is true or good or about what should be done or believed. Claims are potentially arguable. "A liberal arts education prepares students best" is a claim, while "I didn't like the book" is not.
How to write a written response to the court? ›
On a separate page or pages, write a short and plain statement of the answer to the allegations in the complaint. Number the paragraphs. The answer should correspond to each paragraph in the complaint, with paragraph 1 of the answer corresponding to paragraph 1 of the complaint, etc.
What is a good sentence for summons? ›
Examples from Collins dictionaries
I received a summons to the Palace. She had received a summons to appear in court. The men were summonsed and last week 30 appeared before Hove magistrates. She has been summonsed to appear at St Albans magistrates' court.
How to respond to a debt claim citation? ›
You can say something like “I deny the claim and want to see proof at trial.” Or even just “I don't owe the plaintiff anything.” You can also file an answer saying that you owe the plaintiff some of the money they are asking for, but not all of it, or even an answer agreeing that you owe the plaintiff the money.
What does filing an answer mean? ›
An answer is a formal written response to the plaintiff's complaint in which the defendant responds to all of the allegations in the complaint and sets forth any defenses to all or part of plaintiff's claims. An answer is filed by the defendant after s/he has been served with a copy of the complaint.
The Answer to Counterclaim must also state defenses to each of the Defendant's counterclaims in short, plain statements. Complete the top of the Answer to Counterclaim exactly as it appears in your, the Plaintiff's, Complaint.
What happens if someone doesn't answer a lawsuit? ›
You Can Lose By Default:
If you don't file a response 30 days after you were served, the Plaintiff can file a form called “Request for Default”. The Plaintiff has to wait 30 days to file this. If the Plaintiff files this form, the Court can enter a judgment against you. The Plaintiff will win the case.
What is an answer to an allegation? ›
You must fill out an Answer, serve the plaintiff, and file your Answer form with the court. Generally, this is due within 30 days after you were served. If you don't, the plaintiff can ask for a default. If there's a default, the court won't let you file an Answer and can decide the case without you.
How to write an affirmative defense in an answer? ›
Affirmative defense—Examples
On [Date], after making the contract and the alleged breach, and before this action was commenced, defendant paid to the plaintiff the sum of [specify amount], which was accepted by the plaintiff in full satisfaction and discharge of the damages claimed in the petition.
What are the two ways a defendant may respond to a prepared summons? ›
Once a complaint has been served, either with a summons or in response to a demand for a complaint, the defendant must respond by having the plaintiff served with an answer or a motion, usually, a motion to dismiss. An answer, like a complaint, states a party's position regarding the case.
How do you respond to a letter of claim? ›
A response letter should include the following: – Information as to which facts are being confirmed and which facts are being disputed. – Clarification on which claims are being accepted and which are being disputed. – Detailed grounds for disputing any claims.
How do you write a response letter for a claim? ›
Make sure to clearly identify the purpose of your letter. Consider the facts, the timeline of events, and the desired outcome. Ensure that the letter is well-organized, professional, and succinct. Include a formal salutation, introduction, body, and conclusion.
How do you answer a claim in a CER? ›
- CLAIM. ❑ State the answer to a. question. ❑ State what you will. prove with the evidence. ❑ Provide relevant. background information. ...
- EVIDENCE. ❑ Demonstrate. understanding. ❑ Give evidence from the. text. ❑ Cite the author/article. ...
- REASONING. ❑ Connect evidence to your. claim. ❑ Explain how your. evidence supports your. claim.
If you do NOT respond in time, the plaintiff or petitioner can ask the court to “enter a default” against you. That means that you can no longer respond or participate in the case, and the court will usually order what the plaintiff or petitioner asked for in the petition or complaint.
