Imagine the nightmare happens: a claim. Perhaps water damage, a break-in, or a car accident. You breathe a sigh of relief because you're insured. You report the damage to your insurance company – and that's precisely where the problem begins. What you consider a simple routine is often the first step toward financial disaster. One careless word, one imprecise statement, or one overlooked detail, and the insurance company reduces the payout or denies it altogether. Your sense of security suddenly turns into pure despair. But there is a way out. I, Roland, will show you which mistakes when reporting a claim can really make things expensive and how to proceed correctly from the very beginning.

The biggest mistakes when reporting damage that you must avoid immediately

An insurer is not a friend who blindly trusts you. They are a business partner looking for ways to cut costs. Every mistake you make, no matter how small, is a potential point of attack.

Imprecise information and hasty formulations

One of the most common mistakes in accident reports is imprecision. Phrases like "I was probably a bit distracted" or "The cause was probably..." are a field day for insurance companies. Such formulations leave room for interpretation and can be interpreted by the insurance company as partial fault or even gross negligence.

Admitting one's own guilt or telling too much

You must describe the situation, not address the question of moral culpability. An honest "I misjudged the parking space" could lead the insurance company to consider your negligence. Stick strictly to the facts: what, when, where, how. Nothing more.

Neglecting or reporting evidence too late

Photos, videos, witness statements, receipts – these are your strongest allies. Anyone who fails to document the damage immediately or misses deadlines risks the insurer questioning the evidence and reducing or denying the claim.

The insidious tricks of insurance companies – and how to expose them

Insurance companies have their own strategies to influence claims settlement in their favor.

• The game of deadlines: Expert opinions or documents are often requested with very short deadlines. Those who miss the deadline lose.

• The fine print in expert reports: Experts commissioned by the insurance company can formulate reports in a way that favors the insurance company. A layperson often fails to recognize these hidden clauses.

• Twisting statements: Your telephone statements are recorded and can subsequently be interpreted in such a way as to fit the insurance company's argument.