If your home has been damaged by fire, flood or another extreme weather event, starting an insurance claim can feel overwhelming. You may be living in a temporary location, juggling a long list of urgent tasks. In the midst of all this, it’s common to realize you can’t remember your insurance company’s name. And your home insurance documents may be destroyed or irretrievable.
If this happens, stay calm. Even without the paperwork, you can find your insurer and start the claims process. Here’s how.
Check your banking records. Many people pay for their homeowner’s or tenant’s insurance monthly. Look through your recent banking statements for insurance payments, as these often include the company name. If you pay annually, review past statements or contact your bank for help identifying the insurer.
Look at your vehicle’s pink card or check with your business insurance provider. If you have auto or business insurance, there is a good chance that insurer is also your home insurance provider. Your vehicle’s pink card usually lists the broker or agent’s name. Contact them to see if your home insurance is with them too. If you own a business, check with your business insurance representative as well.
Find your broker or agent. If you bought your policy in person, try to recall the location or the name of the brokerage or agent. They may not be your insurer, but they’ll know who your insurer is because they found the policy for you. You can visit or call them to confirm where they placed your homeowner’s or tenant’s coverage. In a small community, there may only be a few brokerages – it won’t take long to call each one to find out which provider you’re with.
Contact your mortgage lender or landlord. Mortgage lenders are often listed on home insurance policies and may have received renewal notices or other documents from your insurer. Contact your mortgage lender to see if they have your insurance details. If you rent, your landlord might have a copy of your tenant’s insurance information if your lease required it.
Check your phone and email. Look through your call history, saved contacts and email folders. If you’ve communicated with your insurance representative, you may find their phone number or email address.
Visit a community evacuation or reception centre. After a major disaster, local authorities often set up an evacuation centre where insurers have on-site representatives. Visit the centre and ask each insurer if you have a policy with them.
When it’s safe to return home, look for your insurance documents there. If you’re only away for a short time, you can wait until you return home to retrieve your documents. In the meantime, keep all receipts for the expenses you incurred while evacuated – they’ll be important for your claim.
Recovering after a disaster is stressful, and not having your insurance information can make it feel even harder. Remember, you’re not stuck and you’re not alone. There are ways to track down your insurer and start your claim.
Approach the task of determining your insurer one step at a time. If you need help or have questions, Insurance Bureau of Canada’s (IBC’s) Consumer Information Centre is there to help. Phone 1-844-2ask-IBC or visit ibc.ca.
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