How many days do I have to notify my insurer of a claim?
Seven days from when you become aware of the insured event, unless the policy allows more. If notice is given late, the insurer cannot refuse to pay for that reason alone. It can deduct from the payout any losses it proves the delay has caused it. It cannot even do that if it already knew about the insured event by other means. What can lead to losing the payout is concealing or falsifying information about the insured event through wilful misconduct or gross negligence.
Alburquerque Abogados
José Manuel AlburquerqueWhat you need to do
- Notify the insurer of the claim within seven days by a means that leaves a record, such as the claims line with a reference number, the company's website or an email. Even if some details are missing, they can be added later.
- Give the insurer all the information it asks for about how the event happened and what consequences it has had.
- Take the steps within your power to stop the damage getting worse, such as turning off the water at the stopcock or covering a broken window. Reasonable costs are paid by the insurer, up to the policy limit.
- With property and liability insurance, send in writing, within five days of notifying the claim, a list of the items affected and an estimate of the damage.
If there is a theft
- Report it straight away to the police, which in Catalonia means the “Mossos d'Esquadra”. Almost all policies require this and your report to the police is the first piece of evidence.
- Keep everything that shows the items existed, such as invoices, photos, boxes or bank statements.
Why it is best not to wait
Giving notice promptly also protects your money. If you notify the claim after the deadline, any interest the insurer owes you for paying late is counted from the notification and not from the insured event. Moreover, the sooner the loss adjuster sees the damage, the less argument there will be later about its cause and amount. If you have two policies covering the same thing, notify both insurers and tell each of them that the other exists.
This answer is provided for educational purposes and offers initial guidance on the question raised. Every matter has its own circumstances and nuances that require individual assessment. For that reason, before taking decisions with significant consequences, it is advisable to consult a professional and not to rely solely on this information. Personalised advice makes it possible to apply these explanations to the specific case and to assess the options available with greater certainty.