The claims process:
What you should do immediately following a loss?

The following information is provided to assist you should an incident occur. It is not an exhaustive list. Nothing contained in this material should be construed as providing legal advice, nor does it imply coverage will be afforded. All claims submitted must be reviewed and evaluated based upon the applicable policy of insurance and the facts of the loss.

Automobile Accidents

What to do when an accident occurs:

• Make sure everyone is OK – call for medical assistance if necessary.
• Notify the police about the loss.
• Exchange contact and insurance information with other parties.
• Get the names and phone numbers of any witness.
• Photograph the scene prior to moving the vehicle(s), if safe to do so, with any camera, including cell phone camera.
• Photograph all sides of each vehicle involved in the accident prior to moving the vehicle(s), if safe to do so, with any camera, including cell phone camera.
• Take reasonable steps to move your vehicle from the scene and to safeguard it and any personal property contained in the vehicle from subsequent damage.
• Make no commitments for payment. Do not discuss fault or blame at the scene.
• Do not discuss the details of the accident with anyone except the police, your insurance agent, claim adjuster, or your attorney.
• REPORT ALL CLAIMS TO 1-800-290-6361 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Liability Losses

What to do when an accident occurs:

All Claims:

• Contact emergency personnel if necessary.
• Identify any potential witnesses. Secure their name(s), address, and telephone number.
• Determine if there are any surveillance cameras in or surrounding the area of the incident location. If there are, contact the owner and request the tape be properly secured by the owner so that it is not destroyed. Secure owner names and phone numbers to advise your claim adjuster.
• Make no commitments for payment. Do not discuss fault or blame at the scene.
• Do not discuss the details of the loss with any party representing the injured person without first consulting with your insurance agent, claim adjuster, or legal counsel.
• REPORT ALL CLAIMS TO 1-800-290-6361 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents:

• If possible, ask the injured party to show you the exact location of the fall, and attempt to identify any claimed hazard that may have contributed to the fall.
• Take photographs of the location and any defect.
• Determine if there are any surveillance cameras in or surrounding the area of the incident location. If there are, contact the owner and request the tape be properly secured by the owner so it is not destroyed. Secure owner names and phone numbers to advise your claim adjuster.
• In the event a physical defect is found that may be an ongoing hazard, take reasonable and necessary steps to repair or remove it, posting temporary warning notices, if appropriate.
• REPORT ALL CLAIMS TO 1-800-290-6361 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Animal-Related Accidents:

• Verify when, where, and how the accident occurred and whether or not the animal was supervised and/or restrained at the time of the accident.
• If appropriate, locate veterinary records to document current rabies vaccine.
• REPORT ALL CLAIMS TO 1-800-290-6361 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Food Contamination Claims:

• Determine the food eaten. If possible, secure and preserve the item with its original container or service dish. Identify the supplier of the product.
• If applicable, determine how long the injured party had the food in their possession prior to consuming.
• If the consumer alleges an adverse reaction, determine whether or not more than one person consumed the product, and if so, whether or not anyone else suffered similar or different symptoms.
• REPORT ALL CLAIMS TO 1-800-290-6361 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Property Damage to Others:

• Secure and preserve any damaged/defective product (i.e. furnace, hot water heater, piping, etc.) you are requested to remove and replace from a customer’s premises.
• If appropriate, photograph the scene prior to initiating any repairs to your work product.
• Determine whether any other contractor(s) performed work at the premise.
• REPORT ALL CLAIMS TO 1-800-290-6361 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Property Losses

What to do when an accident occurs:

Water Damage:

• Make emergency repairs to prevent further damage. This can include:
  • Turning off the water supply.
  • Making temporary repairs to leaking roof and/or pipes.
  • Removing and drying accumulation of water. If assistance is required, contact an emergency services contractor/repair company.
  • Preserving in as good an order as possible all items being claimed, both personal property and building items.
  • Not altering the condition of your house to allow an inspection, if required by a claim adjuster.
  • Securing an estimate of repair.
• REPORT ALL CLAIMS TO 1-800-290-6361 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Wind Damage:

• Make the premises safe and secure.
• Be sure trees, fences, etc. do not pose a danger to insured or other parties.
• Prevent further loss. Be sure broken windows are repaired promptly and missing shingles are temporarily repaired to prevent further water loss.
• Secure an estimate of repair.
• REPORT ALL CLAIMS TO 1-800-290-6361 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Fire Loss:

• Protect yourself and others. Do not enter a damaged building without checking with your local fire marshal or police official to verify that it is safe to do so.
• Report downed power lines or gas leaks to the utility company.
• Keep electricity turned off if there is standing water in the property.
• Do not alter the condition of the property, except for emergency repairs to prevent further damage.
• Preserve in as good a condition as possible those items being claimed.
• Prepare an inventory of damaged property. Include description of item, age, and replacement value.
• Secure an estimate of repair.
• REPORT ALL CLAIMS TO 1-800-290-6361 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Electrical Loss:

• Make the premises safe and secure.
• REPORT ALL CLAIMS TO 1-800-290-6361 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Workers’ Compensation

What to do when an accident occurs:

• Call for medical assistance if necessary.
  • If you are a Pennsylvania employer with a physician panel in place, follow all panel guidelines if it is not an emergency.
• Report all claims the same day or within 24 hours upon notice of the injury/illness, even if the employer disputes the claim.
• Identify any other parties such as a landlord, contractors, or product vendors/distributors that may be involved.
• Identify any tools, equipment, or machinery that may have caused or contributed to the loss. Keep all records relating to the purchase and maintenance of the item.
• Do not discuss the details of the loss with any party representing the injured person without first consulting with your insurance claims adjuster or legal counsel.
• Make no commitments for payment, or admit any fault for the injury.
• REPORT ALL CLAIMS TO 1-800-290-6361 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.