Do's and Don'ts checklist for filing a fire insurance claim for a manufacturing unit

Notify the insurance company, broker or agent as soon as the fire occurs.

- 

Do's before filing the claim

1. Inform the insurer immediately

Delay in intimation can create doubts and may affect claim processing. Under the current policyholder protection framework, insurers are expected to guide policyholders on claim procedures and maintain transparent claim handling practices. (IRDAI)

2. Take emergency steps to minimise loss

Arrange firefighting, isolate unaffected stock, shut down utilities where required, and prevent further damage. The insured is expected to act prudently, as if uninsured.

3. Inform police and fire brigade

Obtain the Fire Brigade Report and, where applicable, the police intimation/FIR or station diary entry. These documents are important for proving the occurrence, cause and scale of loss.

4. Preserve the affected site until survey

Do not disturb damaged machinery, stock, raw material, finished goods, electrical panels, documents or debris unless safety requires it. The surveyor must be able to inspect the actual loss condition.

5. Photograph and video record everything

Capture the factory premises, affected sections, damaged machinery, stock, electrical installations, firefighting efforts, salvage, debris and unaffected areas. Keep date-wise records.

6. Cooperate fully with the surveyor

A licensed surveyor/loss assessor is required to assess and validate losses with professional competence, objectivity and integrity. Provide full access to records, premises, production details and explanations. (Department of Financial Services)

7. Prepare a structured claim file