Claim Intimation: Meaning, Process, Importance and Documents

Key Takeaways: 
 

• Claim Intimation is the process in which you inform the insurance company about the incident as you apply for a claim. This is the first step while you're claiming insurance. 
   
• Always make sure to avoid delay in informing the insurance company regarding the incident, as it may lead to rejection or other major complications. 
   
• You need to keep certain documents handy, such as policy details, information regarding the incident, and supporting records. The Claim Intimation can be done via online portals, mobile apps, email, or the customer care helplines of the company. Many insurers like ICICI Lombard claim intimation & HDFC Ergo claim intimation through online platforms. 

Buying the insurance doesn’t always mean paying the premiums and keeping the policy active. The real purpose of insurance is served when something unexpected happens, and you need to make a claim. But most insurance companies skip the part of teaching us how to do that? 

Basically, the process of insurance claim and informing the insurer is called Claim Intimation. In simple words, informing your insurance company regarding an unforeseeable circumstance is what Claim Intimation means. 

Assume it as a message sent by you to your insurer regarding the incident that happened to you, and you need a claim. Many insurance companies, such as Tata AIG online motor claim intimation, also provide digital options tracking and initiating claim through their website. 

Let’s understand it with an example. 

Learn Claim Intimation With “Sejal”

Meet Sejal. A 26-year-old banker living in Pune. On a Friday morning, Sejal got ready for her office and was about to leave the house. She usually travels in a cab or private transport, but as she had to go to a party after work, she took her car. 

Before leaving the house, Sejal forgot to check the car's tire pressure and brakes. After some time, she found difficulty in driving and suddenly lost control. She tried to stop the car by hitting it into a light pole. Because of the airbags, she was safe. Unfortunately, the car was busted. But our Sejal is a smarty pants!

She had purchased insurance from SBI Motor Claim Intimation online. The first thing she did after the crash was to text the car insurance company and tell them everything about the incident. The insurer asked her to submit some simple documents and proof of the incident, and BOOM! The claim was directly transferred to her. 

If she had not informed the insurance company, maybe the process would have been more difficult and time-consuming. Be like Sejal. Claim Intimation simply means take action, raise your hand, and make a better choice. 

Why is it important to make a Claim Intimation?

Most people might get carried away with whatever reason the incident happened, but the insurance companies have a strict regulation for informing in a timely manner. Insurance companies have a set time period for the Claim Intimation. However, the time limits may vary as per the type of policy.

Here are some pointers that will clearly explain to you how Claim Intimation can change a circumstance:

After reading the above table, you might have understood why it is important for you to start the claim process as soon as possible. This can help you avoid unnecessary problems or worse rejection.

Bonus Tip: If you are applying claim intimation star health, it must be done immediately or within 24 hours. If you have pre planned the claim make sure to inform the company 7-10 prior. 

Documents/Information Required for Claim Intimation 

During the whole process of the insurance claim, many steps take place. One of them is submitting certain documents and details for the verification process. 

Here is the information that most insurance companies usually ask for:

1. Name of the policy holder.
2. Short description and proof of the incident.
3. Location of where it happened.
4. Exact date and time.
5. Your policy number.
6. Contact details. 

The details may vary depending on the insurer. Major companies like Claim Intimation ICICI Lombard & Claim Intimation Start Health ask for official paperwork only.

If you want to claim motor vehicle insurance, the company will ask you about when, where, and how the accident happened. Meanwhile, if it is health insurance, you will need to provide official hospital prescriptions and records. 

It is not necessary to submit the documents at the very moment. You can inform first and submit the documents after a moment or during the claim process, as suggested by the insurer. 

Process of Claim Intimation 

As you now have a deeper knowledge of the Claim Intimation and how it is done, here is the whole process. Once you have informed the insurance company about the claim, the next step after that is:

1. Registration: The registration process is simple; the insurer records your claim and gives you a claim or reference number. 
2. Documents: Documents are required as per the type of insurance you need to claim. It can be medical reports for health insurance or damaged photos of property or vehicle for motor and property insurance. 
3. Verification: In most cases, the company might appoint a surveyor to evaluate the situation. 
4. Claim Settlement: After all the verification process, the insurer either approves the claim or may ask for more information, as per the condition. 

The process of an insurance claim can become easier and quicker if the intimation is made correctly and on time. 

Conclusion

The term Claim Intimation may seem very complicated. However, in reality, it is just the first step of claiming insurance benefits from the insurer. It just means informing the insurance company about the incident. 

It doesn’t matter if it is health, motor, or life insurance; timely intimation can make the process much easier and avoid unnecessary complications. Just by taking a small step, you can make a huge difference in how smoothly your claim process goes. 

Before purchasing any kind of insurance, make sure the company is reliable to avoid fraud. Go for government-verified companies, as they also provide online claiming options. Some of the online platforms available are Tata AIG Online Motor Claim Intimation, Claim Intimation ICICI Lombard, & SBI Motor Claim Intimation Online. 

In case you are also thinking of purchasing an insurance policy, it is better to know what you have to do when you need it the most. Once a wise man said, “Insurance tabhi kaam aata hai jab aap usko sahi tareeke se use karo”. 

FAQs

Can an insurer reject a claim due to late intimation?

Some insurance companies have a time limit for making a claim intimation. In case you exceed the time limit, you can face consequences and even rejection of the claim.

How to claim insurance? Do’s & Don’ts when claiming. 

To claim insurance, you can contact the insurer directly or also register for the same through websites, apps, and helpline numbers of the company. While claiming, make sure you inform the company ASAP and provide accurate information. 

What is the difference between a claim intimated and a claim accepted?

Claim Intimation is the process of informing the insurer about the incident that has happened. Meanwhile, a claim accepted means the insurance company has verified your details and approved the claim payment.

What will be the claim intimation process if a person is covered by two health insurance policies simultaneously? How will the final claim be settled?

Firstly, you must inform both companies regarding the intimation. Mostly, one insurance company is treated as the primary and pay claim first. However, if the claim amount is higher than both, the companies will compensate.

Can I intimate a claim online?

Yes. Many companies offer Claim Intimation through the website, mobile apps, emails, and via helpline numbers too.