For a quick quote, you can contact our quote department directly at (504) 441-RATE (7283) or complete the Online Quote Request form and you will be contacted ASAP.
After spending more than four decades in the insurance business, one thing has become very clear: most people don’t think about the claims process until they’re suddenly living inside it. At that point, stress is high, patience is low, and every unanswered question feels bigger than it should. That’s understandable. Insurance policies are written like contracts… because they are contracts. Knowing how claims typically work across different policy types can remove a lot of unnecessary mystery.
At a high level, nearly every insurance claim follows the same basic path. Something happens. A claim gets reported. Coverage is reviewed. Information is gathered. A value is assigned. A decision is made. The details change depending on the policy, but the structure rarely does.
The process usually starts with reporting the loss. Whether it’s a car accident, storm damage, or a liability issue, the claim begins once the incident is reported to the carrier. Timing matters here. Most policies require prompt notice, and delays can complicate things later. Basic information such as date of loss, location, and a description of what occurred sets the foundation for everything that follows.
After reporting, the claim gets assigned to an adjuster. This is the person responsible for managing the claim file, reviewing policy language, coordinating inspections, and keeping the process moving. Adjusters don’t create coverage; they interpret it. Their job is to match the facts of the loss to the terms of the policy, which is why understanding policy details ahead of time matters more than most people realize.
Coverage review comes next. This is where the policy gets read closely… sometimes very closely. Deductibles, limits, exclusions, endorsements, and definitions all come into play. Auto policies focus on liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. Homeowners policies examine covered perils, personal property limits, and replacement cost provisions. Flood policies operate under federal guidelines. Commercial policies often involve multiple layers and additional documentation.
Once coverage is confirmed, investigation and inspection usually follow. Property claims may involve on-site inspections. Auto claims rely on repair estimates or valuation reports. Liability claims can require statements, reports, and supporting documentation. This phase is about fact gathering, not judgment. The more complete the information, the smoother the next steps tend to be.
Valuation is where many questions arise. How much is the damage actually worth? The answer depends on the policy. Replacement cost, actual cash value, depreciation, and policy limits all influence the final number. For property claims, contractor estimates and specialist evaluations are common. For vehicles, standardized valuation tools are often used. Disagreements sometimes occur here, usually over scope or methodology rather than intent.
Resolution happens once coverage and valuation align. Payments are calculated after deductibles and limits are applied. Some claims involve multiple payments, especially when repairs take time or depreciation is recoverable later. Liability claims may resolve through settlements rather than direct repair payments. Timelines vary widely depending on claim complexity and event scale.
For a quick quote, you can contact our quote department directly at (504) 441-RATE (7283) or complete the Online Quote Request form and you will be contacted ASAP.
Different policy types move at different speeds. Auto claims often resolve quickly. Homeowners claims can take longer, especially after large storms. Flood claims follow strict federal rules. Commercial claims tend to be more detailed due to business interruption, inventory documentation, and contractual factors. None of this means something is wrong. It means the process matches the policy.
Documentation and communication play a bigger role than most people expect. Organized records, clear photos, and timely responses help prevent delays. Missing information almost always slows things down. Claims don’t stall because they want to; they stall because they’re waiting on something.
After resolution, claims are closed and become part of policy history. This history can influence future underwriting, particularly for property and auto policies. Frequency matters. Severity matters. That’s just how risk is evaluated.
After 40 years, Dan Burghardt Insurance has grown to be licensed in both Louisiana and Mississippi, with a strong focus on cities including New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, Gretna, St. Bernard, Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Baton Rouge, Hammond, Houma, Thibodaux, LaPlace, Lake Charles, Bossier City, Central, Lafayette, Monroe, Shreveport, and Alexandria. That experience brings familiarity with how claims work across carriers, policy types, and situations.
Insurance claims aren’t designed to be mysterious, even if they sometimes feel that way. They’re administrative processes guided by contracts, documentation, and verification. Understanding the typical flow makes the experience far less intimidating and a lot more predictable.
For a quick quote, you can contact our quote department directly at (504) 441-RATE (7283) or complete the Online Quote Request form and you will be contacted ASAP.
