What is one of the duties following a loss that an insured must perform?

One of the responsibilities of an insured following a loss is to provide prompt notice of the claim. This is a critical duty under most property and casualty insurance policies because it allows the insurance company to investigate the claim thoroughly and assess the damages. Timely notification helps to prevent further loss and ensures that the insurer can take necessary steps to verify the incident and coordinate with the insured for any ensuing evaluations or repairs.

Failing to notify the insurer promptly could lead to complications in the claims process, including potential denial of the claim if the delay results in difficulty for the insurer in managing the loss. Insurers need this prompt notification to meet their own obligations and to manage their risk effectively. Therefore, notifying the insurer quickly is essential for the insured to uphold their part of the insurance contract.

The alternative responses involve approaches that could complicate the claims process or be contrary to typical expectations of the insured's responsibilities following a loss. This makes prompt notice of the claim the correct and most vital duty an insured must perform after experiencing a loss.