If you’re having to call on an insurance policy, something has gone awry. You keep this coverage in place specifically for situations like this. Whether your Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) had a fire or a resident fell and you’re now getting sued by the family, your policy builds in key protections for you and your operations.
At this point, you likely want to get your claim settled as quickly as possible. That might make it tempting to leave out small details that you feel could complicate matters. Actually, though, you should be transparent with your insurance provider about everything involved in your claim.
Doing so can help everything go smoothly and move quickly. On top of that, when your insurance company has the full picture, they’re in the best position to advocate for and defend you.
With that in mind, let’s look at a few reasons to be fully honest with your insurer.
#1: Shorten Claim Timelines
In the beginning of a claim, you’ll need to provide your insurance company with the details surrounding the incident. You may think that giving them more information here means more for them to process, potentially slowing your claim. Actually, though, offering up everything you know on the frontend can help your claim move forward more quickly.
Other people will be involved in providing information about your claim, whether that’s an adjuster who comes out to assess property damage or the family member involved in bringing legal action against your RCFE. If these other parties bring details to light down the road, it adds complexity. Your claim process may need to move backward to take this new information into account.
Ultimately, teeing up everything you know right away means your insurance company has what it needs to start your claim off on the right foot. This can help to streamline and speed the entire claim process.
#2: Get the Support You Need
Remember, insurance companies specialize in managing and mitigating risk. After an incident that requires you to call on your insurance, you want to limit any further fallout — and your insurer can help. Transparency plays a big role here.
When you tell your insurance company what you know, they’re in the best position to assist you. The full picture helps them prepare for the support you need, whether that’s a claims check to cover damages or the cost of legal proceedings.
Insurance companies — just like any other businesses — have to allocate resources. The more they know about what you’re likely to need, the better they can prepare what’s required for your claim.
#3: Protecting Your RCFE
Giving false information to an insurance company constitutes insurance fraud. Not only will being dishonest result in your insurance claim getting denied, but it’s also a criminal offense that could subject you to fines — or even imprisonment.
Ultimately, honesty goes a long way in any RCFE insurance claim. And that should be a two-way street. If you want to work with a team of RCFE insurance experts you trust and who strive to be honest with you, call us at (805) 413-5668.
