It is our position that if the information on the form does not affect the coverage the information is not necessary to process the claim. Several examples would be the original point of purchase and original purchase price. On replacement cost coverage, the claim is paid based off “current replacement cost” and so that information would have no bearing. Our submission contains all the information required to price and depreciate the claim in accordance with the coverage. There is nothing in the policy that states the inventory must be submitted on company forms. It is our position that the carrier cannot refuse to process the claim simply because of the paper or form that the claim is submitted on.

Can you please tell me if the carrier/adjuster is within its rights to refuse to process a claim until submitted on a specific form?

Indiana Subscriber

Unless there's some state statute that allows companies to require special forms, there is nothing in the policy language that allows them to do so. Generally, states require carriers to maintain consistent business practices, particularly when handling claims. As long as the inventory form contains all that the policy requires and shows the quantity, description, ACV and amount of loss with receipts and related documents, it should suffice. If a carrier is behaving inconsistently and demanding forms from some insureds and not from others, it seems to be a discriminatory practice that the state insurance department would probably be very interested in.