Someone comes into your restaurant and slips on a wet floor sign. Perhaps they do not even fall. Now, they are holding their back and claiming you caused it. What should you do? General liability insurance claims like this can be hard to manage. The good news is you do not have to do so on your own.
Your insurance company is there to help you. Here is how that happens.
What to Do in That Moment
When someone is suffering from an accident or injury, get them immediate help. Call 911 and ensure they get to a doctor right away. You cannot force them to do so. However, you can document that you tried to get them the necessary help.
You also do not want to encourage them any further. That is, do not fight with the individual. Do not make any claims at all, and don’t take full responsibility, at least in the beginning. Instead, work to document what happened.
- Take photos of the area where the incident occurred.
- Be sure to gather all information from the individual about what happened.
- Gather their contact information so that the insurer can call them.
- Never admit any guilt. Never state that you knew the floor was wet.
- Be apologetic for the incident (but don’t claim it is your fault).
Then, let your agent do the rest. You do not have to worry about much more than filing a claim. The insurance company does the work for you.
What If You Do Not Believe the Claim?
Provide all information you have to your insurance company. Your agent may benefit from having access to things like video cameras as well as witness statements. The more information you have, the better.
In these situations, the insurance company will ensure that your business has protection if negligence is present. If the individual did not suffer any injury or financial loss from the incident, do not worry about it. Most often, your agent will know how to handle this type of situation. They also will require the individual to show proof of their losses. If they cannot do so, then the insurer may not approve any claim. And, even if the case goes to court, your insurance company is there to support you. They will answer your questions at any time, too.
Business insurance works to support your company. Your general liability insurance policy is there to minimize your losses.
Also Read: Will commercial auto insurance cover a replacement vehicle while yours is in the shop?