What is a Proof of Loss?
One of the most often-overlooked pieces of the insurance claim process is the submission of a “proof of loss.” What is a proof of loss? It’s nothing more than a one-page document that, at the top, says “Sworn Statement in Proof of Loss,” and it is your claim. It is setting forth what you’re owed, and you give that to the insurance company; you swear to it, and that acts as the trigger for the insurance company’s obligation to pay.
Some insurance policies will say that a proof of loss has to be submitted within a certain period of days – 60 days – and if you miss that deadline, guess what? They raise problems. Some insurance policies say you have to submit it within 60 or 30 days, sometimes, from our request. And so, if you get that request, it’s very important that it be honored.
We here at McWherter Scott & Bobbitt sit down with our clients, we put our team of people together, we hire the experts to put the claim package together, and we prepare that document for you. And when we submit it, that is what triggers the insurance company’s obligation to do something. / END TRANSCRIPT
From structural damage to contents losses to business interruption claim, your proof of loss is the official claim documents that is often required to make a claim for compensation with your insurance companies. Following the rules about submission – especially with regard to the deadline – is critical to getting the money you are owed. An insurance company will always prefer not to pay out a claim; missing a deadline could be just the excuse they need to deny yours, too.
That is why you want to work with an experienced team, like the one you’ll find at McWherter Scott & Bobbitt. Our Tennessee insurance dispute lawyers have handled some of the most complex claims there are. Whether your home was damaged in a fire or by wind, or your business sustained losses because of natural disasters or even theft, you do have options. Contact Brandon McWherter or any member of our team by calling 731-664-1340, or by filling out our contact form. With offices in Nashville, Chattanooga, Memphis, Jackson and Knoxville, we are always nearby when you need us the most.
Brandon McWherter has dedicated his practice to assisting insurance policyholders with their claims against insurance companies, including claims for bad faith. He is licensed in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Learn More