Claim
A claim is a formal request made by an insurance policyholder for compensation for a covered loss event. The insurer would then validate the claim as per the policy terms and conditions, and make payments to the insured or to a third party on behalf of the insured once the claim is approved. In case of parametric insurance, a claim can be triggered automatically if a pre-set condition is fulfilled. For example, a parametric insurance against flight delays may pay out if the flight is delayed by at least a set period even without the insured filing a claim.
Once honoured, an insurance claim indemnifies the policyholder against financial loss. The most common insurance claims are about the cost of medical services and goods, physical damage and other liability arising from accidents involving automobiles, property damage and liability for homeowners, landlords or renters, and the loss of life.
In most cases involving property and motor insurance, the premium rates offered to the policyholder go up after a claim is honoured. In case of motor insurance, some insurers may not increase the premium rates if a third-party is found at fault for the damage involved.
Based on the expected impact on the premium rates, a policyholder can choose to not file small claims. For example, in case of motor insurance even a small claim would result in loss of no claim bonus – therefore, an claim that is lower than the benefit from no claim bonus may not filed by a policyholder.
