5 Rights Every Insurance Claimant Has— But Few Actually Use
When it comes to insurance claims, knowledge really is power. Most policyholders have rights they’ve never been told about — rights that can mean the difference between a fair settlement and one that leaves them thousands of pounds out of pocket.
At Pro Insurance Claims, we believe that an informed claimant is a protected claimant. Here are five fundamental rights that every policyholder has — and that too few people ever exercise.
Right 1: The Right to a Second Opinion on Damage Assessment
Your insurer’s loss adjuster may be thorough and professional — but they are representing the insurer’s interests, not yours. You are fully entitled to obtain an independent assessment of the damage to your property, prepared by a professional acting on your behalf.
A loss assessor from Pro Insurance Claims will conduct a comprehensive, independent survey — often identifying damage categories, consequential losses, and coverage areas that the adjuster has overlooked. This independent assessment forms the basis of a professionally prepared counter-claim.
Right 2: The Right to Choose Your Own Repair Contractor
When your insurer offers to manage repairs directly, using their own approved contractors, it can feel like a helpful offer. In most cases, however, you are not obliged to accept it. You have the right to obtain independent repair quotes from contractors of your choosing.
Insurer-approved contractors are selected, in part, on the basis of cost — which doesn’t always translate to quality. Exercising your right to choose your own repairer can mean better materials, better workmanship, and a restoration that genuinely returns your property to its pre-loss condition.
At Pro Insurance Claims, we regularly find that insurer repair estimates fall well short of what it actually costs to restore a property to its original standard.
Right 3: The Right to an Itemised Breakdown
You are entitled to a clear, itemised breakdown of how your settlement figure has been calculated. If your insurer simply presents a lump-sum figure, request a full schedule of items — covering every element of the damage, the cost assigned to each, any deductions made, and the basis on which those figures were calculated. Without this, you cannot properly assess whether the offer is fair.
Right 4: The Right to Dispute and Appeal
As we covered in our previous article, you have the right to formally dispute any settlement you believe is unfair — first through your insurer’s internal complaints process, and then through the Financial Ombudsman Service if necessary. You do not have to simply accept what you’re offered.
Right 5: The Right to Professional Representation
Perhaps the most important right of all — and the least exercised. Just as your insurer appoints a loss adjuster to represent their interests, you are fully entitled to appoint a professional loss assessor to represent yours.
A loss assessor from Pro Insurance Claims doesn’t just help you fill in forms. We manage the entire claims process on your behalf — from policy review and independent damage assessment through to final settlement negotiation. Our clients consistently achieve higher settlements, and with a 97% success rate, we have the track record to back that up.
Your rights exist to protect you. But rights only have value when you use them. Whether you’re just starting a claim or you’ve already received a settlement that doesn’t feel right, Pro Insurance Claims is here to ensure your rights are fully exercised — and your settlement reflects what you’re genuinely owed.
Don’t Settle for Less
Exercise your rights — get Pro Insurance Claims on your side. Free initial consultation, no obligation.