If you find yourself needing to file an insurance claim on behalf of your organization, it’s important you reach out to your provider as soon as possible after an incident occurs.

To make the process less formidable, make sure you have the following items handy to help you file a claim with confidence:

• Property insurance policy number – This is usually found on your insurance card or in your policy documents.
• The date, time and location of the incident.
• A description of what happened.
• The names, addresses and phone numbers of any other people involved in the incident.
• The license plate numbers of any vehicles involved in the incident.
• A copy of the police report, if you have it.
• Photos or videos of the damage, if possible.
• Receipts for any expenses you've incurred because of the incident.
• Property inventory – This should include a list of all the insured property, as well as the value of each item.
• Contact information for your insurance company.
• Any other documentation that supports your claim – This could include news articles, social media posts, eyewitness reports, etc.

Some additional tips for filing an insurance claim include:

• Be as detailed as possible when describing the incident.
• Keep copies of all documentation related to the claim.
• Be patient and persistent – It may take some time for your claim to be processed.

It’s also recommended you review your incident report forms and ensure they include adequate prompts for information that will be beneficial when filing a claim.

If you have any questions about filing an insurance claim, you should contact your insurance company. They will be able to help you understand the process and provide you with the necessary forms and information.

For additional information, tips and more on pressing issues facing organizations like yours, visit blog.churchmutual.com.