Call us first. Your broker knows your policy, your history and your operation, and we can tell you quickly whether something is worth reporting and what your policy actually responds to. We then report the loss to your insurer on your behalf. If a loss happens outside our office hours and cannot wait, call your insurer directly using the numbers in the directory above, then let us know the next business day so we can pick up the file.

Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Atlantic Time. We do not operate a separate after-hours claims line. If something happens in the evening or on a weekend and it cannot wait until morning, contact your dedicated broker or report directly to your insurer using the 24/7 numbers listed above. Most insurers accept new claims around the clock.

Tell us about it either way. Reporting an incident is not the same as filing a claim, and letting us know does not commit you to anything. It matters most where another person or their property was involved, because they can come back and file against you long after you have put it out of your mind. If your insurer has never been told, defending that claim becomes considerably harder.

It might, and it depends on the type of claim, your claims history and your insurer’s rules. A single weather-related property claim is treated very differently from a pattern of at-fault auto losses. This is exactly the kind of question worth putting to your broker before you decide, and we will give you a straight answer on the likely impact.

The deductible is the portion of a loss you carry yourself. If you have a $1,000 deductible and a $9,000 loss, your insurer pays $8,000. You do not pay it to us. It is normally deducted from the settlement, or paid directly to your contractor or repair shop. Note that different sections of the same policy often carry different deductibles.

The adjuster investigates the loss, determines what the policy covers and recommends a settlement. They are appointed and paid by your insurer, either as staff or as an independent firm acting on the insurer’s behalf. They are not your representative in the process. Your broker is. If you are unhappy with how your file is being handled, tell us.

Usually yes, though it varies by insurer and by policy. Many insurers maintain preferred vendor networks that come with a workmanship guarantee and a faster process, and you are generally not obliged to use them. Speak to us or to your adjuster before work begins, because repairs authorised without approval may not be reimbursed.

Professional liability, directors and officers, and cyber policies are typically written on a claims-made basis. Coverage applies to claims that are both made against you and reported to the insurer while the policy is in force, regardless of when the work was performed. Miss that reporting window and the claim may not be covered at all.

If you become aware of a circumstance that could give rise to a claim — a complaint about your work, a demand letter, a dispute on a project — report it immediately, even though no formal claim has been made.

Send it to us immediately and do not respond to it yourself. Statements of claim carry strict deadlines, and your insurer has the right to appoint and instruct defence counsel. Do not admit liability, negotiate, or correspond with the other party’s lawyer. Getting the document into your insurer’s hands quickly is the single most important thing you can do.

It depends on the complexity. A straightforward glass or contents claim can settle within days. A major property loss involving rebuilding, a business interruption calculation, or a liability claim heading toward litigation can run for months or longer. Your adjuster should give you a realistic timeline early on, and we will follow up if things go quiet.

A proof of loss is a sworn statement setting out what was lost or damaged and what you are claiming. It is a formal legal document, so an inaccurate one causes real problems, and most policies require it to be submitted within a set period after the loss. We will help you complete it properly.

Contact your Stanhope Simpson broker right away, and do not respond to the claim on your own. A bond claim works differently from an insurance claim: the surety investigates the obligee’s demand, and if it pays, it will generally look to you to reimburse it under your indemnity agreement. Getting us involved early gives the best chance of resolving the dispute before it escalates.

Tell us. We will review the decision against your policy wording and take it back to the insurer if we believe the position is wrong. If it still cannot be resolved, every insurer has a formal complaints process and an internal ombudsperson, and independent dispute resolution is available beyond that. We will walk you through the options.