What occurs during the notification stage of claims handling?

During the notification stage of claims handling, the claims process is officially initiated. This critical first step involves the policyholder formally informing the insurer of a potential claim. At this stage, essential details about the incident or loss, such as the date, circumstances, and nature of the claim, are communicated to the insurer. This notification triggers the insurer's obligations under the insurance policy and sets in motion the subsequent steps involved in claims evaluation and processing.

While gathering evidence, making a final decision, and calculating settlement amounts are important components of the overall claims handling process, they occur later. After the notification, insurers will typically proceed to investigate the claim and gather further evidence to assess the validity and extent of the claim, followed by determining any settlement amount, and ultimately reaching a final decision. Thus, the initiation of the claims process marks the critical transition from a potential claim to an active claim handling scenario.