How The Insurance Claims Process Works In Australia

Once you have been injured in a car accident, at work or in a public place, you are entitled to compensation. But this compensation isn't always easy to claim, with insurance company’s being a nuance. The NSW Compensation Lawyer's put together this guide to help injured parties to better understand the claims process.

Injury Insurance Claims

Whether you have been in a car accident, injured yourself on someone’s property or any other situation where something hasn’t gone to plan, your insurance provider is there to protect you from financial burdens due to injury. That being said, the insurance claims process in Australia is fairly complicated and can be confusing to those who haven’t had any previous experience.

For this reason, we’ve put together an easy-to-understand guide for those seeking assistance when making an insurance claim in Australia. Read further to find out how to lodge a successful insurance and claim compensation.

Lodging An Insurance Claim To Your Own Provider

Looking Over Your Current Policy

Before you make an insurance claim, it’s vital to check your insurance policy beforehand to make sure that the claim is valid.

Let Your Provider Know About Your Insurance Claim

If your claim is valid, you should make first contact with your provider directly and let them know your intention to make a claim. After this, your insurer will inform you on the steps to take to complete your claim. Standard information that will be asked from you include: Details about the incident, medical reports in regards to your injuries and witness testimonies to act as evidence to your claim.

Assessing Your Claim

After you submit your insurance claim, your provider will assess the claim based on your version of events against all the evidence provided, as well as their own research. They will look over all medical records and possibly contact witnesses to clarify the series of events to ensure that it is legitimate. This process may take some time as your provider needs to establish that your claim is valid to your policy.

Third Party Damages

During the period of assessment, your insurance provider may contract a specialist to help assess your situation in relation the accident. Your provider may wish to get a second opinion from their own doctor or mechanic on the damages to both yourself and your property. This is standard procedure to ensure that everything is accurate and unbiased.

Decision On Your Claim

After your provider has assessed your claim independently, they will make a decision of whether or not they accept your insurance claim. This decision can take weeks or even months depending on the complexity of your claim. If your policy doesn’t specifically cover you for the claim that you are making, your claim may be rejected, making it vital that you review your policy carefully before your initial claim. If your claim is successful, you are entitled to receive compensation for expenses including auto repair, loss of income, medical visits and the loss of enjoyment of life.