After an insured event
Prepare a claim file: household and home claim
After an event at home, protect people first and limit further damage only when safe. Traces and damaged property should remain documented without staging or unnecessary disposal.
Careful immediate steps
- If there is danger, fire, an active leak or a suspected offence, leave the area when necessary and call the appropriate services.
- Take only reasonable, safe steps to prevent further damage and retain evidence of those measures.
- Before cleaning or disposal, ask the insurer for directions when possible and do not move suspected crime traces for a photograph.
Facts to preserve
- Date, time, place and first observation of the event
- Areas, items and third parties affected as observed
- Safety and mitigation measures actually taken
- Responders, witnesses and contact timeline
Check in the policy
- Named perils such as water, fire, theft or glass breakage
- Replacement or current value, item limits and deductible
- Property away from home, outbuildings and liability to others
- Mitigation duties, inspection and agreement before repair or disposal
Important limitation
Do not enter an unsafe building or disturb traces of an offence. Cover may come from private policies or cantonal building insurance. Only the responsible bodies determine the claim and any payment.