At some point, most of us will have to make an insurance claim. A little preparation can save hours of heartache should the unthinkable happen.

Thinking ahead

Keep receipts for all valuable items, like televisions, videos and cameras. You will need to produce them if they are stolen as insurers are cracking down on possible fraudulent claims. For your own protection you should take photographs of valuable jewellery, paintings or ornaments. Keep a photocopy of your insurance policies in a safe place outside your home. If you have a fire your insurance policies could be lost.

Check the small print

It sounds obvious, but check what is included in your insurance. For household insurance, check that flooding is included. In some parts of the country it is now hard to get cover for this, or you could pay higher premiums to cover against it.

What do I do if I need to claim?

Report cases of theft or criminal damage to the police. They will give you a reference number which you will need to make an insurance claim. Then ring your insurer immediately and ask for a claim form. Send it back promptly, together with estimates if there is repair work to be done. Keep a photocopy of your claim and any other letters you send to the company. Make a note of the name of anyone you speak to over the phone about the claim.

What about emergencies?

This might include a burst pipe or a door which has been kicked in by a burglar. These are considered emergency repairs and you should get the work done straight away. It is still worth ringing your insurer's helpline since it may have lists of reputable tradesmen. For other work that is not an emergency, your insurer will probably want two or three estimates for the work, unless the claim is very small. Send them off to your insurer with the claim form.

What if I bought my insurance from a broker?

He should handle your claims for you. However, brokers vary, some are good and some are not so enthusiastic. You may find it easier to deal directly with the company yourself.

My insurer sent a loss adjuster round and he's lowered the amount of my claim. What can I do?

A loss adjuster is an expert designed to assess the value of a claim. If you disagree with his view say so, and take it up with the company concerned. Be careful about accepting less than the full value of the claim. If you do, your insurer may suspect that your claim was inflated to start with.

What do I do if my car is stolen?

Report it to the police first, and then to your insurer. You will have to wait a while, because many cars are stolen by joyriders and later recovered. If it is never found, or is a write-off, then you may face another problem. Your car may be in good condition with a low mileage, and the amount the insurer gives you may not allow you to replace it with an equivalent vehicle. In that situation, get hold of a car buyer's guide - Glass's Guide is the most frequently used. If their tables support the insurance company, you will find it hard to get a better offer, even though you may well argue that the car was in good condition.

I've had a car accident and the other driver was uninsured. What happens now?

All personal injury claims and some damage claims will be met by the Motor Insurers' Bureau (01908 240000). This is financed by a levy on all insurance companies and was set up to compensate victims who would otherwise lose out through no fault of their own.

I’ve had belongings stolen on holiday

Again, it pays to be prepared. You should have receipts for valuable items such as cameras, watches and sunglasses so you can complete a claim when you return home. You must get a local police report of the theft. If you are on a package tour or your hotel room is burgled, the company should help you deal with the local authorities.