Steps for Submitting a Claim
Submit a claim right through your user dashboard by following these steps:
- Log in to your account
- Click on “Manage Policies”
- Select “File a Claim”
- Fill out the form
- Submit
Filing a BBI Claim: What Else to Know
Every claim is different, but you can set yourself up for the best outcome with preparation. Here’s what you should know before you click “submit.”
What We Need From You
Before you file a claim, gather all of your information. This will help you stay organized throughout the process. Some necessary details include:
- Policy information: Your policy number, effective date, any Additional Insureds, etc.
- Date, location, and approximate time of the incident for which you’re filing a claim
- Detailed description of the incident
- Name, address, and contact information of the person making a claim against you
- The exact dollar amount of any damages (legal fees, medical bills, etc.) sought by a claimant
If you’re filing a theft report:
- Name of the police department with which you filed a report
- Exact or estimated dollar amount of the stolen or damaged property
- A copy of the complete police report* if it’s a case of theft or intentional damage
This information is essential for processing your claim. Most adjusters can’t move your claim forward without it.
*Note: Remember, it’s up to you to contact the police and file a report. We can’t do this on your behalf.
Things That Can Delay Your Claim
We know that pending claims can be stressful, both on your personal and professional life. Help speed things along with these tips:
- File your claim ASAP: The sooner you file, the quicker a claims adjuster can be assigned to your case. Remember to document the incident as soon as it happens so you don’t forget anything important.
- Respond quickly: Your claims adjuster needs your input to investigate properly, so keep communication open and timely.
- Double-check everything: Make sure your details are correct. Mistakes can delay the timeline, especially in cases where your claim ends up in court.
>>Pro Tip: Check your junk or spam folders so you don’t miss any correspondence from your claims adjuster.<<
Things That Won’t be Covered
Your policy includes a list of activities and instances that are not covered by an insurance claim. These are called exclusions.
In the beauty and bodywork industry, these exclusions are typically modalities and treatments that are simply too risky to insure (based on the likelihood of someone getting injured or having adverse reactions).
If you’re unsure if your claim will be covered, review the entire list of excluded services before attempting to file.
Now, Let’s Talk About the Claims Process
Once you file a claim with BBI, we immediately get to work. Our main priority is ensuring your claim is sent to the insurance carrier with all the necessary information.
Start by filing a claim through your customer dashboard:
- Log in to your account*
- Locate the “Manage Policies” section
- Click “File a Claim”
- Fill out the form
- Submit
*If you are an additional insured or are otherwise filing a claim and are not the primary policy holder, call us at 877-536-7290 or email us at info@insurebodywork.com. We’ll send you the necessary digital claims form.
After you initiate a claim, our customer care team will typically reach out to you within 1-2 business days to confirm receipt of the claim.
After that, we send the necessary claim information, including your policy number and Certificate of Insurance, to our insurance carrier. This is a separate company that handles validating, accepting, or denying the claim, and eventually paying it out.
Why Do We Send Your Claim to the Insurance Carrier?
You chose BBI for a reason, and now you might be wondering why your claim is going to another company — and we get it! Here’s the deal:
BBI packages and sells your insurance policy, but our carrier is the one that administers and takes on the financial risk.
Think of BBI as your insurance provider, and the carrier as the company that backs it up.
Our customer care team can answer questions about your policy details, but they can’t comment on whether or not your claim will be accepted or if you are entitled to any payments.
Only your insurance carrier can tell you the status of your claim, if you meet all the necessary qualifications for a payout, or any of the reasons why your claim is denied.
*Note: If you bought or renewed your policy before July 1, 2024, your carrier is Great American. To contact Great American, call 844-424-4669 or email GARSClaims@gaig.com.
If you bought or renewed your policy after July 1, 2024, your carrier is Accelerant (claims handled by ideal3). To contact ideal3 (Accelerant), call 844-443-3253 or email claims@ideal3.com.
What Happens When We Submit Your Claim
After we send your claim to the carrier, it usually takes them 7-10 business days to assign a claims adjuster to your case. The adjuster will email you to confirm they’ve received your claim. They’ll be your main point of contact, so feel free to ask them about approval status, timelines, or any payment amounts.
If you don’t receive any email from your claims adjuster within 7-10 days, check your junk or spam folders for an email from ideal3 (Accelerant) or Great American Insurance Group. If you still don’t see anything, reach out to your respective carrier.*
Once you receive their initial confirmation email, the claims adjuster may need more information from you. They might ask for:
- Photos
- Names of anyone injured
- Date and time of the incident
- Make and model of damaged or stolen property
- Receipt or other proof of purchase for the property
- Police report — and so on
Claims adjusters consider many factors to decide whether a claimant has a right to payment, so gathering this information can take a few days to months, depending on the damage. Though waiting is hard, you should expect a claim to take at least a few weeks to be processed.
A Timeline for an Example Claim
Reasons Why a Claim May Be Denied
There are many reasons why a claim might be denied. In addition to the specific exclusions listed in BBI’s policy, some of the biggest reasons a claim might be denied include:
- Service provided not covered by the policy
- Incident didn’t occur within the coverage dates of the policy
- The party seeking damages isn’t qualified to make a claim
- Lack of police report validating equipment theft
- Equipment disappeared under mysterious circumstances (unexplained loss)
- Equipment broke down due to normal wear and tear
- Equipment was damaged, even accidentally, by the policyholder
We understand it can be frustrating to find out your equipment isn’t covered in certain cases of loss or theft. However, these instances are challenging to insure due to the risk of fraud.
Some other general reasons for denial of claim include:
- War action
- Nuclear hazard
- Loss due to governmental search and seizure
- Improper maintenance of equipment (not using valid protective equipment)
- Earthquake, floods, or other so-called “acts of God”
- Fungus rot and bacteria
- Property is not owned but rented
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I file a claim?
Start by clicking the “file a claim” button on your customer dashboard and filling out the form.
How long will my claim take to process?
Every claim is different and it’s impossible for BBI to give a prediction of how long your claim will take. Claimants should be prepared to wait for several weeks or months for their claims to be approved or denied, and should make appropriate preparations for their business in the meantime.
I filed a claim. Why haven’t I heard anything?
Start by checking your email to make sure you didn’t miss the confirmation email. Check your spam folder, trash folder, or search your inbox for any messages from ideal3 or Great American Insurance Group. If the initial email wasn’t received, reach out to your respective carrier’s claims team using the contact information below.
Can I talk to a claims adjuster right now?
It takes 7-10 business days for the carrier to assign an adjuster for your claim. Calling before then will not ensure that you can talk to an adjuster any faster. Once you receive an initial email from your adjuster, you may message or call them at your discretion.
How can I stay prepared for risks?
You can stay prepared for risks by:
- Having a plan to provide first aid or contact help if a client gets hurt at your workplace
- Taking reasonable steps to prevent injury by using and storing tools properly, and by keeping your workspace clear of potential hazards
- Consistently communicating with your clients about any preexisting conditions or allergies prior to every service
We’re Here to Help
Our support agents are ready to help you and answer your questions.
If you bought or renewed your policy before July 1, 2024, your carrier is Great American. If you bought or renewed your policy after July 1, 2024, your carrier is Accelerant (claims handled by ideal3).
