What To Do After Property Damage or Theft
Dealing with the aftermath of a fire, flood, or break-in at your home or business can be extremely stressful. Should you ever find yourself in this situation, here’s what you can do to ensure your safety and a smooth claims process.
5 Key Things to Remember
Stay calm: Accidents, natural disasters, and other traumatic events can be overwhelming. However, the most important thing you can do for yourself and others is to stay calm. Remind yourself that there are people and organizations ready to help you through this.
Make sure everyone is safe: Are you safe? Are others safe? Before doing anything else, make sure there are no injuries at the property and that everyone is accounted for. If someone has been injured, call 911 immediately. Listen to the advice of the emergency operator and calmly wait for the response team to arrive.
Secure the property: Double-check that all windows, doors, and gates are intact and secure. If possible, move any valuables out of harm’s reach. If your property has been severely damaged, contact an emergency claims service provider immediately. They can help restore your property and get things back to normal.
Visit our Insurance Partners page for a useful list of emergency service providers in Ontario.
Document everything: Once everyone is safe and any necessary emergency responders have been contacted, start documenting the situation. Take as many photos and videos of the damage as possible, and make a list of any items that are damaged or missing. This is also a good time to record what happened, when it happened, and who was involved. Be sure to keep all receipts for any expenses related to the incident.
Contact your insurer: Contact your insurer (or broker) as soon as possible to report the incident. A claims adjuster will then be assigned to handle your claim.
Common Scenarios: What You Should Do
Fire, water escape, or wind damage
Ensure everyone is safe and has received any necessary medical attention.
If you can, move obvious valuables out of harm’s reach.
Call your insurer (or broker) to report the claim. A claims adjuster will then be assigned to handle it.
Keep receipts for any expenses and write down a list of damages.
Break and entry or theft
If your home has been broken into, do not enter.
Call the police and report the incident.
Call your insurer (or broker) to report the claim. A claims adjuster will then be assigned to handle it.
Keep a record of the investigating police officer, including their name, badge number, and occurrence number.
Preparing Your Property Ahead of Time
Accidents, disasters, and theft cannot always be avoided. However, there are steps you can take to ensure you’re prepared just in case.
Keep a personal property inventory
Remember, in the event of a loss, it’s up to you to prove what you owned. That’s why it’s so important to keep an updated inventory of your valuables, including:
Serial numbers
Name
Model
Purchase receipts
Appraisals
Burglar-proof your property
There are several ways to reduce the risk of intruders breaking into your home or business, including:
Closing blinds and curtains at night
Locking all doors and windows before leaving
Investing in an alarm system
Making your property appear occupied at all times
Keeping shrubbery trimmed away from windows and doors
Illuminating as much of your property as possible
Installing deadbolt locks
Disaster-proof your property
You can also take steps to minimize the impact of a natural disaster, such as:
Equipping your kitchen with a fire extinguisher and first aid kit
Draining garden hoses before winter
Letting faucets drip during extremely cold weather
Ensuring all alarm systems are working, up to date, and have fresh batteries
Keeping trees, bushes, and hedges near windows trimmed back
Storing sensitive documents off-site in a safety deposit box or a fireproof safe
If you have questions about property insurance or need a quote, contact our team of brokers at 519-268-3535 or info@dorchesterinsurance.ca and we’d be happy to help!