Comprehensive risk management and insurance for our clients

Claims Information

The following information is designed to provide assistance in procedures to be followed in the event of any incident that might give rise to a claim occurring under any of your insurance policies. For any claims types that aren’t listed below, please contact your local BIS representative for assistance immediately.
All claims (except where otherwise agreed and noted herein) are to be reported immediately to BIS. Any claim not lodged within thirty days may not be considered due to late notification.

To enable the processing of the claim without delay and to minimise the possible damage or injury incurred, it is important that the following action be taken.

  1. All reasonable steps should be taken following an accident or loss to protect the property or person from any further damage or injury.
  2. Any incident which may give rise to a claim should be immediately reported to BIS to avoid any potential for denial of liability from underwriters alleging late notification.
  3. Any loss by theft and/or willful or malicious damage should be immediately reported to the nearest Police station.
  4. Comply with the relevant claims procedure specific to the class of insurance or protection for which the claim applies to.
  5. Complete the correct claim form (see Documents tab) and attach all associated claims documents.
  6. Forward claim documentation including any supporting papers to your local State BIS Manager. 

Specific Types of Claims

Industrial Special Risks Property (Material) Damage

Generally, such claims relate to loss or damage to your property which may involve events such as fire, storm, explosion, flood, theft/burglary, malicious damage, etc.

Where there has been loss or damage to your property:

  1. Take all reasonable steps to protect property from any further loss or damage.
  2. Call the Police or other Emergency Services as required.  Any loss by theft or wilful or malicious damage should immediately be reported to the nearest Police Station and details of the attending Police noted.
  3. Report immediately by telephone or email to your local BIS State Manager who will advise what further action is required and will forward the necessary claim form.
  4. Email a completed Claim Form (this can be found in the Documents tab), photos of damage, quotes and police report (if applicable) and all claims documents as soon as possible after the occurrence whilst memory of the incident is still fresh in the minds of all concerned.
  5. Unless the works are classed as emergency works, you are required to obtain 2 quotes for property or contents damage/loss. These must be submitted to our office for approval prior to the commencement of any works/repairs/replacements.

    Business Interruption (BI)

    This section relates to the consequential loss of profits that may occur as a result of a material damage loss, covered under the DMF.

    In the event of a loss, the following steps should be taken:

    1. Immediately inform BIS of a potential BI Loss.
    2. Consider appointing a Risk Accounting Consultant to represent your interests in:
      – Estimating Loss.
      – Exploring appropriate loss mitigation initiatives.
      – Establish a plan to prepare claims for the purpose of restoring cash flow.
      – Assist in managing and responding to requests raised by the underwriter’s appointed Loss Adjuster.
      – Collate necessary information required by the Loss Adjuster.
    3. Set up separate ledger accounts to capture all additional costs.
    4. Copy all related invoices and create separate files for the purpose of substantiating any claim.
    5. Inform all sales staff to record details of sales orders placed which cannot be met due to interruption.
    6. Do all things reasonably practicable to minimise interruption to business.

      General and Products Liability

      Under No Circumstances Must Liability Be Admitted Either Verbally Or In Writing

      Upon the happening of any incident likely to give rise to a claim, the following points must be noted:

      1. All reasonable steps should be taken following an accident or loss to protect the person or property from any further injury.
      2. Advice must be forwarded to BIS, together with originals of all correspondence received from a third party and any other supporting documentation (e.g. incident report)
      3. Where an Incident Report is to be completed, bear in mind the following:
        Be Discreet – Do not complete the Incident Report in front of the injured person.  This may signal that an insurance claim may be possible.
        Be Specific – Remember, the report you write may be forwarded to your underwriter for assessment and evaluation purposes and may be admitted as evidence in court. Be specific and comprehensive in your details.
        Provide Full Details – Detail (no matter how trivial it may seem at the time), is the most essential component of your Report.  In most instances, if the claim ever reaches a court of law, it may be several years down the track.  Nobody will remember the specifics unless you write them down at the time of the Report.
      4. No correspondence should be entered into with a third party except acknowledgement of receipt of the claim.  The acknowledgement letter should read as follows:

        “Without Prejudice”

        We acknowledge receipt of your correspondence concerning an incident at [Location].  This is receiving our attention

      5. Do not give any interview or make any statement to a Loss Adjuster or other person investigating any accident or damage unless such person is acting on behalf of your underwriter.

        Motor Vehicle (Optional Policy)

        All Insureds’ authorised to drive a vehicle must familiarise themselves with this procedure.

        1. In the event of an accident:
          – Stop and exchange names and addresses with any other party involved.
          – Record registration number and make of any other vehicle.
          – Ensure that the exact location of the accident is noted, together with times and conditions of Road (e.g. slippery – following heavy rain).
          – Record names and addresses of as many witnesses as possible at the scene of the accident.
          – Report accident to Police if required to do so by State Motor Traffic Law or By-Law.
          – Discussions concerning negligence of either party involved in the accident must not be entered into.

          The enabling of 

          Baptist ministries in Australia by developing, educating and providing a comprehensive range of insurance and risk management programs.

          To protect the Baptist Church in Australia and its constituents by arranging a program of comprehensive insurance policies in the most cost effective manner.

          Perth