At GIA, we’re here to assist you before and after your loss.

Everyone hopes they never have to turn in a claim on their insurance policy.  But, unfortunately, losses do occur.  Your policy requires that you report claims promptly.  To help serve you better, some of our companies have 24-hour direct claims reporting phone numbers.  To find out if your insurance company has a direct reporting phone number, either refer to your policy or give us a call during normal business hours.

While some companies prefer that the insured call and report the claim direct, others either allow or require the agent to report the loss.  Regardless how the claim is reported, you will need to provide the following basic information:

All Claims

• The name and phone number(s) of the person to be contacted to discuss the claim and/or see your damage. 

• The date and location of the loss.

Auto Claims

• The date and location of the loss.

• A brief description of the accident or how the damage occurred.  What kind of damage is there?

• Which vehicle and driver are involved.

• Were the police called?  If so, did anyone receive a ticket?  If your auto is stolen, or if it is damaged by a hit-and-run driver, you must file a police report.

• Any information you may have on other vehicles or property that are involved.

• Any injuries.

• If you have Rental Reimbursement coverage on your policy and your auto is not drivable, or if you will need a rental car while yours is being repaired, let the company know. 

You should not have repairs done until you are advised to do so by the insurance company adjuster.  Some insurance companies have appraisers look at the damage, others ask you to get estimates and still others have approved local repair shops to do both the estimate and the repairs.

Property Claims

• Location and type of loss (fire, wind, theft, flood, etc.).

• A brief description of what happened and the damage.

• In case of theft, you will be asked to file a police report.  You should start putting together a list of the items that were taken.

You should make whatever temporary repairs are needed to prevent further damage.  You should not make permanent repairs until you are advised to do so by your adjuster.  In some instances, particularly wind and flood, your claim will not be paid if the adjuster has not seen the actual damage.  Depending on the type of repairs needed, you may be required to have those repairs inspected by either a Texas Department of Insurance windstorm inspector or a licensed professional engineer who is appointed by the Texas Department.  For further information, click here.

Liability Claims

• Where and how did the damage or injury occur?

• The name and phone number of the injured party or owner of the damaged property.

Flood Claims

• Before beginning any clean-up, take photos of everything "as is", indoors and out, to show the water level and extent of damage.  Make a room-by-room inventory of missing or damaged items, and try to locate receipts for major purchases.

• Separate damaged and undamaged property.  Remove all wet upholstered furniture, draperies and other large items to a garage or other area where it can be stored until you can determine whether it can be cleaned, reupholstered or salvaged.
• Remove all wet carpet and carpet padding, but save a large piece of both carpet and pad to show your adjuster.  Once the wet furniture and carpets have been moved out of the way, remove any standing water and mud that remain and then clean the floor with soapy water and disinfectant.
• Use disinfectant and soapy water to remove as much dirt and bacteria as possible from hardwood furniture and other solid surfaces.