Last Updated: July 29, 2024
If you have food vendor insurance, congratulations! You’ve taken a very important step towards protecting your business in case something goes wrong.
But, if an accident does happen, you’ll need to know how to file a claim to get financial coverage from your insurance company.
Many people think that filing a business insurance claim is an intimidating, stressful process. However, we’ll show you just how easy it can be with FLIP. Get answers to some of the most common questions about claims and be prepared to navigate them with confidence!
How to File a Food Business Insurance Claim
FLIP makes the business insurance claim process easy — just follow these four steps and you’ll be set:
- Start by logging in to your user dashboard.
- Click on “File A Claim” to start the claims process.
- Fill out all of the necessary information.
- A claims adjustor will be in touch with you soon to resolve your claim.
See? Easy as pie.
Keep in mind that filing a claim doesn’t guarantee that your claim will be covered. All policies have conditions and exclusions, so make sure you are familiar with what your policy does and doesn’t cover. Understanding your coverage could save you disappointment down the line.
Reasons an Insurance Company Will Deny a Business Insurance Claim
If your business insurance claim is denied, it could be for the following reasons:
- Your policy doesn’t cover that claim
- You didn’t file the claim on time
- Your insurance company suspects fraud
Your claims adjustor can explain to you why your claim was denied. If none of the above reasons are applicable to your claim, you can receive coverage as long as you haven’t exhausted your policy’s aggregate limit.
Business Insurance Claim Questions
What Does Business Insurance Protect You Against?
Food business insurance can protect you against common claims like:
If you have a FLIP policy and opt to add extra coverages to your policy, it could shield you from other claims as well. For example, by adding tools and equipment insurance to your policy, you can get coverage if your business gear gets damaged or stolen.
Read more about the most common claims from FLIP customers and how food business insurance can shield you from them.
What Is an Example of an Insurance Claim?
Imagine you’re vending at a farmers market and a customer trips over a box of inventory next to your booth. They suffer injuries and sue you to recover their medical expenses and lost wages.
You might file a claim with your insurance company to absorb some or all of your financial liability. Alternatively, the injured person might file a third-party claim with your insurance company instead.
What Information Do I Need to Provide When Filing a Claim?
If you file a claim, you may be asked to provide the following information:
- A police report (if the incident involved a violation of the law, such as theft of a food truck generator)
- The name(s) of who was involved in the incident (and their contact info)
- A description of what happened (as detailed as you can possibly provide)
- When the incident occurred (including date and time)
- Where the incident occurred
- Pictures of the incident (fire damage, a broken lock on the side of your food trailer, etc.)
- Receipts of any stolen or damaged equipment (if you’re filing a tools and equipment claim)
The best thing you can do when filing a claim is to provide as much detail and documentation as you can. This will make it easier for the claims adjustor to assess the claim and whether or not your policy covers it, which will prevent any unnecessary delays in the process.
How Long Does It Take to Process a Business Insurance Claim?
When you file a claim with FLIP, you should hear back from a claims adjustor within 7–10 business days.
What Types of Incidents Are Covered Under My Business Insurance?
Your coverage depends on the type of insurance you have, so it’s important to read your policy to see what kinds of claims are covered or excluded.
Don’t hesitate to give us a call at 844.520.6992 if you have questions about your FLIP policy — our licensed insurance agents are happy to help you.
Can Filing a Claim Affect My Future Premiums?
Yes, your claims history can have an effect on future policies you purchase.
Every time you file a claim and your insurance company pays out, you will get a loss — or claim — report. This document is proof that you’ve been held responsible to pay for third-party damages and your insurance company has paid some (or all) of the claim.
If you’re purchasing insurance in the future, you may be asked to provide this report to the insurance company. It could affect the price of your premium or your eligibility for a policy.
How Long Do You Have to File an Insurance Claim?
The amount of time you have to file a claim depends on your insurance company and the type of policy you have.
If you have an occurrence-based policy, you can report a claim outside of the policy period as long as the incident occurred during the policy period (usually 12 months). FLIP’s general liability insurance is an occurrence-based policy.
However, if you have a claims-made policy, the claim must be reported during a specific period of time. Claims reported outside of this period are not eligible for coverage and will be denied.
By Alex Hastings
Alex is a Marketing Copywriter at Food Liability Insurance Program (FLIP). In her free time, she enjoys reading, birding, traveling, and finding any excuse to get brunch.
