Had a loss? Start here.
Our claims line is answered 24 hours a day. We file the claim with you, then stay on it until you are paid.
What to do in the first hour
Choose the type of loss. These steps protect people first, then your claim.
- 01
Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked.
- 02
Move to a safe place and turn on hazard lights.
- 03
Exchange names, phone numbers, insurance and plate numbers. Do not admit fault.
- 04
Photograph all vehicles, the scene, road conditions and the other driver's license and insurance card.
- 05
Get the police report number if officers respond.
- 06
Call our 24/7 claims line or your carrier before authorizing any repairs or tows beyond the scene.
- 01
Get everyone to safety. For fire, gas or electrical hazards call 911 first.
- 02
Stop further damage: shut off water at the main, tarp an open roof, board a broken window.
- 03
Photograph and video every room before you clean up or throw anything away.
- 04
Keep receipts for emergency repairs, hotel stays and meals. They are often reimbursable.
- 05
Make a list of damaged belongings with approximate age and value.
- 06
Call our claims line so we can open the claim and schedule the adjuster.
- 01
Secure the premises and make sure employees and customers are safe.
- 02
For employee injuries, file a First Report of Injury with the Ohio BWC within one week.
- 03
Document damaged inventory, equipment and the cause of loss with photos.
- 04
Track lost income and extra expenses from the day of the loss.
- 05
Do not sign releases or admit liability to third parties.
- 06
Call Marcus or our claims line to coordinate property, liability and business income claims.
How a claim moves, and where we step in
Typical timeline for a property claim. Auto glass and small claims often close in days.
- Day 0
Claim reported
We open the claim with your carrier and send you the claim number and adjuster contact.
- Day 1 - 3
Adjuster assigned
The carrier contacts you. For larger losses Kevin joins the inspection.
- Day 3 - 10
Inspection and estimate
We review the estimate line by line against contractor bids and code requirements.
- Day 10 - 30
Payment issued
Actual cash value is paid first. We make sure you know how to recover the depreciation.
- Close
Repairs complete
Final invoices submitted, holdback released, and we check your policy limits are restored.
A former adjuster, now on your side
"Most underpaid claims are not bad faith. They are missed line items, skipped code upgrades and depreciation nobody asked for. I know where to look because I used to write those estimates."
Kevin O'Donnell · Claims advocate · 19 years
- Joins inspections on property losses over $10,000
- Reviews every estimate before you sign off
- Included for all Ironbridge clients, no fee
What filing actually costs you afterwards
No other trade charges you for three to five years for using the thing you bought. Here is the surcharge by claim type, and the claim size below which filing loses you money.
| What happened | Surcharge | Years it rides | Break-even claim | Our advice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At-fault auto, property only | +22% to +38% | 3 to 5 | $4,100 | Call first |
| At-fault auto with injury | +41% and up | 5 | File it | File it |
| Comprehensive: deer, hail, glass | 0% to +4% | 3 | $900 | File it |
| Not-at-fault, other driver insured | 0% | 0 | Any size | File it |
| Home water damage, not weather | +18% to +26% | 5 | $3,900 | Call first |
| Home wind or hail, regional storm | 0% to +9% | 5 | $1,700 | File it |
| Home theft | +11% to +19% | 5 | $2,600 | Call first |
| Any liability claim | +12% to +30% | 5 | File it | File it |
The arithmetic we run with you
A $3,100 kitchen water loss on a $1,640 home premium with a $1,000 deductible pays you $2,100. A 22% surcharge for five years costs $1,804, and it follows you to the next carrier. Add the lost claim-free discount and you are roughly $120 ahead, for a claim on your record.
At $9,400 the same loss pays $8,400 against the same $1,804. Obvious. The uncomfortable band is between the deductible and about three times it.
Ask before you file
Calling us to talk through a loss is not a claim and is not reported. An adjuster's inspection often is: many carriers log a "claim without payment" that still shows on the CLUE report for five years. That is the distinction worth one phone call.
Carrier claim lines
Prefer to report directly? Use your carrier's 24/7 number, then let us know. Sample numbers for this demo.
| Carrier | Lines | 24/7 claims |
|---|---|---|
| Great Lakes Mutual | Auto, Home, Umbrella | (800) 555-0120 |
| Northcoast Casualty | Auto, Home, Condo, Renters | (800) 555-0121 |
| Keystone National | Business, Commercial auto | (800) 555-0122 |
| Heartland Fire & Marine | Home, Condo, Business | (800) 555-0123 |
| Lakeshore Indemnity | Auto, Renters | (800) 555-0124 |
| Cuyahoga Farmers Mutual | Home, Auto, Umbrella | (800) 555-0125 |
| Midland Assurance | Business, Stop gap, Umbrella | (800) 555-0126 |
| Allegheny General | Commercial auto, Business | (800) 555-0127 |
| Buckeye State Mutual | Home, Auto, Condo | (800) 555-0128 |
| Harbor Point Specialty | Home, Umbrella, Business | (800) 555-0129 |
Claims questions
For emergencies, call 911 first. Then report the claim to your carrier's 24/7 line, or call our claims line and we will file it with you. Either way, let us know so Kevin can follow the claim.
Sometimes. Small claims close to your deductible can cost more over time than they pay. Call us before filing and we will talk through the likely impact honestly.
Tell us. Our claims advocate reviews estimates, requests re-inspections and helps you document damage. Most policies also include an appraisal process for disputes.
Need help with a claim right now?
Our claims line at (216) 555-0190 is answered around the clock, every day of the year.
Licensed agents · No fee for advice · 4.9 from 1,284 reviews