Commercial Insurance - 0845 122 3283
Full details of the cover held on your policy will be detailed on your Policy Schedule. Please read this in conjunction with your Policy Booklet which fully explains your cover.
The Schedule tells you what you are insured for and details some of the Warranties and Endorsements that apply.
The Schedule also includes a Legal and Business Helpline Services section. This is provided by DAS Legal Services. They can be contacted on 0117 934 2176
Whilst there is a wide variety of claims that do and can occur, they fall into three broad categories:-
- Theft or damage to your own property.
- Damage you have caused to other people’s property (Third Party Damage).
- Injury caused to somebody within your employment or to a member of the general public.
Under each category you will need to know:-
How do I make a claim?
Contact the Commercial Claims Department on 0845 122 3283 to report the matter to us.
Alternatively, details may be faxed to us on 08701 222019.
The Fortis Claims Handler will take full details of the claim and will, in most instances, send you a report form to complete and return
Depending on the value and/or type of claim the claims handler may seek help from a Loss Adjuster. Loss Adjusters are independent experts who will arrange to visit you and deal with the whole of your claim from start to finish on our behalf.
Once a Loss Adjuster has been appointed, all enquiries regarding your claim should be directed to them. However, you can contact your Fortis Claims Handler at any point should you wish.
Once we have been notified of a claim, our computer system will automatically issue a letter to your Broker/Agent confirming that a claim has been made. The notification letter gives the Agent the opportunity to become involved in the claim if either you or they wish. Once the claim has been settled, a letter is sent to your Agent confirming such and the amounts paid.
Do’s
- Any claim for Loss, Theft or Malicious Damage must be reported to the Police within 24 Hours of the incident.
- Carry out temporary repairs to prevent further loss. Please retain all invoices for work carried out.
- Notify us of any claim or potential claim as soon as possible. The sooner we are involved, the more opportunity we have to resolve your claim to our mutual satisfaction.
- Ensure that any letter or notice received from somebody making a claim against you is reported to us immediately. Any injury to an employee should be reported to us regardless of whether a formal claim has been made against you. We can then decide whether it is a claim that should be investigated and/or provide advice to you.
Don’ts
- Dispose of any damaged items, we may wish to see them.
- Wait for estimates to be obtained for work to be carried out before notifying us of a claim.
- Admit liability for any claim being made against you by a Third Party. Simply provide them with our details; advise them that you will be notifying us and that we will contact them directly.
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How will my claim be settled?
As well as Loss Adjusters and Engineers, we have a number of suppliers to call upon to assist in dealing with your claim. For example, glaziers, drainage experts, structural engineers, building surveyors and computer repairers and replacement specialists who can be instructed in appropriate cases.
- Broken window/shop front - We can provide you with the number of a national glazier who will visit your premises, survey the damage and arrange replacement of the glass. The glazier will invoice us directly. You will be responsible for payment of the excess applicable to your policy and the VAT element if you are VAT registered. You will receive a separate invoice for these items from the glazier.
- Damage to your property (buildings and contents) - Once we have approved the work to be carried out to your property or agreed to replace the damaged contents, we will need an invoice to confirm that the work has been carried out or the items have been replaced, prior to making a payment, less the excess and VAT if applicable.
- Damage or injury to a Third Party - If you are legally responsible for the damage or injury sustained to a Third Party we will pay for all sums that you become legally liable to pay as compensation and Claimants costs and expenses. The amounts paid will be negotiated and agreed between us and the Third Party or their legal representatives.
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What information does Fortis need?
As mentioned above, in most cases we will need a completed report form. In addition, we will typically need:-
- Proof of ownership – Original purchase invoices, Bank Account Statements and/or similar.
- Estimate for replacement of damaged or stolen items.
- If the item is unrepairable, a letter or report is required from an independent expert confirming such and the cause of the damage.
- 2 Estimates for repair of the damaged property.
- Any available photographs taken before and after the event, showing the property would be useful.
- Trading accounts will need to be made available in event of a Business Interruption claim being made.
- Documents required in the event of an injury to an employee are listed on the report form that we will send you.
- Any correspondence received from a Third Party or Third Party representative where you are being held responsible for an injury or damage to a Third Party should be sent to us immediately and unanswered. We will answer them on your behalf.
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