What happens after you make a house insurance claim: the repair process

Whether it's a cricket ball through a window or a storm that floods your entire house, cleaning up after your home is damaged can be a stressful time. The last thing you need is a headache when it comes to navigating the insurance process as well. 

Insurance repairs on houses often involve different tradespeople working at different times, with some things needed to happen before others can begin. So how does it all play out - from submitting your claim to getting the final repairs completed?

Help! My house has been damaged. What happens first?

If you discover damage in your house, make sure everyone is safe and then call your insurer. If you're with MAS, you can reach us on 0800 800 627 or make a claim online. 

We'll talk you through what to do first, and help you get your claim underway so that repairs can get started at a time that suits you. If you're with MAS, we'll pay up to $10,000 towards protecting your property after any damage, to make sure the damage doesn't get worse. 

Once your claim has been accepted, a repairer will be appointed to do the work. If you need to pay an excess, you'll receive an invoice and a project manager will then get in touch with you to make a time to start working on your repair. 

How long does a house insurance claim take?

This depends on the nature of your repairs. Extensive repairs or a full rebuild will obviously take longer than damage that's contained to one room or a small part of your house. 

When a repair involves multiple trades, they'll generally work one after the other, as one trade often can't start until another is finished. A painter can't start until plastering is complete; plastering can't start until a carpenter replaces the wall linings; and the electrics need to be finished before the carpenter can start. 

There will be times when nobody is on site, which can be a bit frustrating, but this often to do with needing time for plaster or paint to dry beofe the next stages can get started. 

Who will be accessing my property during an insurance repair?

Depending on the nature of your repairs, there's an array of trades that might need to be involved in the repair. They'll be managed through a project manager who will make sure the right people are on site at the right time. If you're living onsite or visiting during repairs, they'll also make sure you're aware of any health and safety considerations. Your project manager is the best person to talk to if you have any questions or concerns about the repair process.

If you're not familiar with the building process, here's a rundown of some of the kinds of trades who might be involved with your repair:

• Carpentry: this is your "builder", and they will usually be at your property the most. They'll work on things like wall linings, windows and doors, floors and ceilings, and any other carpentry work. They'll also coordinate and work with other sub-trades. 
• Gib stopping or plastering: stopping gives your walls a smooth finish, and generally takes two or three visits to site, with a day or two in between each visit so coats can dry. 
• Electrical: electricians are usually one of the first trades onsite, as they often need to remove fixtures and fittings so other repairs can take place. They'll then come back towards the end of the job to put everything back in place. They're also in charge of making sure any electric supply to the site is safe.
• Roofing: if you need roofing repairs, a team will generally install and remove scaffolding. Roofers will then work on one section at a time so that the whole roof isn't open. 
• Joining: a joiner will supply and install cabinetry. They need to work closely with other trades, as they can't measure or put in their products until wall linings are plastered. 
• Painting and decorating: this is often the last part of the job. Normall two to three coats are needed for each surface, and there'll be drying times in between each one.