5 steps to making an insurance claim as a pub owner

In the event that you are unfortunate enough to have to make an insurance claim on your pub, the process can still be a bit daunting.

There’s still a lot to do before you can be reimbursed for your misfortune, insurance companies will want to be sure that your claim is honest, and that your insurance policy covers the damage or situation that you are claiming for.

To make this process a bit more manageable, we’ve set out a list below of the steps to go through to make an insurance claim as a pub owner.

1. First things first, ensure that you have the correct details for your insurance company. As ridiculous as this may sound, if you have multiple insurance policies for different areas of your life, or if your insurance provider has a particularly large number of departments, this is an important time saving tip.
2. Next make sure that you have all relevant documentation; including your policy, relevant receipts, and any useful reference numbers (such as a police reference number if they’ve had any involvement in the claim). This is also the point to have a re-read through your policy, or multiple policies, to ensure that, to the best of your knowledge, the insurance claim that you’re making is actually covered by your insurance.
3. In the event that you’re making an insurance claim against damage your establishment, or any stock or equipment stored within, it’s also useful to get estimates for replacement and repair costs. If the repair work had to be completed immediately, make sure that you hold onto all the receipts. Take as many photos as possible to document damage as comprehensively as possible; ensure that your insurance provider knows exactly what is being claimed for. Making an estimation of the revenue that you stand to lose is also essential if your policy covers against such losses.
4. Once you’ve laid the groundwork, it’s time to make the claim itself. Generally insurers will send you a form on which to record details pertinent to the claim. Some insurance companies also accept claims over the phone, especially if their customers are in a particular hurry. Either way, it’s important to make your claim as accurate as possible; if you’re too modest, you won’t receive what you’re entitled to, and if you’re too frugal, your claim may be denied altogether!
5. Your insurance provider will then inform you as to whether your claim is covered by your policy; if it is a few things can now happen before you are reimbursed. Firstly, if damage has been done to your pub, a loss adjuster may be sent to assess the damage, prior to a payout. Some insurers also operate their own replacement and repair services; if your insurer is one such company, you can rely on them to deal with the rest of the claim. Regardless, if any damage done to your premises was confirmed by your insurance provider as covered by your claim, and they haven’t sent a loss adjuster, or a repair service, then they will reimburse you for the cost of repair.

Remember, the key to any insurance claim is diligence: if you have followed this guide, kept accurate records, and have taken careful note of the details of your policy, and exactly what cover it entitles you to, then you should be fine.

For more information, visit Business Insure​