The Most Overlooked Property Insurance Add-Ons You Should Consider
A guide to optional property insurance add-ons, explaining which extra covers may fill genuine gaps and what to check before adding them to an existing policy.
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Need Help With an Existing Claim From an FCA-Authorised Firm?
We Can Help With An Existing Insurance Claim
Written by Darren Carter. Last Updated on October 2, 2026
Alternative Support For Insurance Claims Already In Progress
If your property insurance claim is already underway, you may be looking for policyholder-side support from a firm authorised and regulated by the FCA for insurance distribution activities. In most cases, the first step is not to make assumptions or rush into decisions. It is to understand where the claim stands, what paperwork is in place and what support may now be needed.
Independent Loss Adjusters acts for policyholders. We support homeowners, landlords and businesses who need clear, practical help with property insurance claims. If your claim is already in progress, we can review the current position and explain whether we may be able to assist. In practical terms, this means you get clarity before deciding what to do next.
When Regulated Help May Be Needed
Sometimes a claim starts with one route and then needs to be reviewed. That can happen for different reasons. You may have been told that the firm involved can no longer manage your claim in the same way as before.
You may be unsure whether the claim should continue as it is. Or you may want to know whether a policyholder-side loss adjuster could review the existing claim and provide appropriate support.
This is usually less about starting again and more about understanding the position properly. A live claim often comes with correspondence, evidence, policy terms, estimates, and insurer contact history. Before anything useful can be said, those parts need to be reviewed in context. In practical terms, this means the next step is usually a careful review, not a guess.
What We’ll Review
Where appropriate, we begin by looking at the claim as it stands today.
That can include the claim timeline, the stage reached with the insurer, any schedule of damage, photos, reports, quotations, policy wording, and key correspondence. If repairs have already started, that matters too. If the claim has stalled, that matters as well. We want to see what has been done, what remains unresolved, and whether there is a clear route forward.
We do not treat every case as if it were the same. A domestic escape of water claim will need one kind of review. A commercial fire claim may need another. The point is to understand the file properly before advising on next steps. In practical terms, this means you get advice based on the actual claim, not a generic answer.
What You’ll Need To Provide
In most cases, we will ask for the documents that show where the claim currently stands. That usually includes the policyholder’s details, the insurer’s claim reference, copies of correspondence, any reports or schedules, and any estimates or invoices already obtained. If there are photographs, videos, or a record of conversations, those can help as well.
You do not need to package everything perfectly before making contact. We can explain what is useful and what can follow later. The key point is to preserve the paperwork and avoid losing the thread of what has already happened. In practical terms, this means you do not need all the answers before you speak to us, but the more complete the file, the clearer the review will be.
What You’ll Get From An Initial Review
The first aim is to clarify the current position. We will explain what appears to have happened so far, what stage the claim seems to have reached and whether ILA may be able to assist. We can also explain what further information would be needed before any formal appointment could be considered.
In many cases, people mainly want to know three things: what can still be done, what may need to change, and what happens next. That is the right place to start. We keep the discussion practical, and we explain things in plain English rather than dressing them up in technical language. In practical terms, this means the first conversation should leave you clearer, not more uncertain.
Initial advice is free. If you appoint ILA to manage and negotiate your claim, our standard fee is 10% plus VAT of the relevant settlement amount. Where you choose an ILA-recommended contractor to undertake reinstatement work, the contractor may cover ILA’s fee for the proportion of work they complete. You remain free to appoint your own contractor, and the applicable terms and fees will be explained before you proceed.
What Happens Next
If, after review, it appears that we may be able to assist, we will explain how ILA’s insurance claim process works. That may involve taking a fuller instruction, reviewing the evidence in more depth, and setting out how communication and claim handling would work from that point. If another route appears more appropriate, we will say that as well.
We prefer to be clear about the scope at the start. What we’ll do. What you’ll need. What you’ll get. That makes the position easier to manage and avoids confusion later. In practical terms, this means you should know the next sensible step before you commit to anything.
Important: If another firm is currently acting for you, or has previously been instructed in relation to your claim, please check the terms of your agreement with them before making any change.
Depending on the agreement, the stage reached and the work already carried out, charges or termination fees may apply if the arrangement is ended or transferred. Check the firm’s agreement, terms and any fee information provided when you appointed it before making a change. We cannot advise on another firm’s terms, but we would encourage you to review them carefully before deciding on the next step.
Support For Homeowners, Landlords, And Businesses
Claims do not all carry the same pressure, but they often create the same kind of uncertainty. A homeowner may want to know how to get the claim moving again. A landlord may need a clearer route to repair and handover. A business owner may be focused on records, communication, and limiting disruption.
Independent Loss Adjusters supports all three. We act for the policyholder, and we keep the process grounded in evidence, communication, and practical next steps. That matters whether the issue is escape of water, fire, flood, storm, impact damage, or a more complex commercial loss. In practical terms, this means the advice is shaped around the type of claim you have, not just the fact that a problem has arisen.
Check the Firm and Its Permissions
FCA authorisation applies to a firm and the regulated activities for which it has permission. It should not be treated as a general endorsement of every service the firm may offer.
Independent Loss Adjusters Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for insurance distribution activities. FCA reference number 979706.
Before appointing any firm, check its current status and permissions using the FCA Firm Checker or Financial Services Register. Confirm that the legal entity and contact details match the business you are dealing with and that its permissions are relevant to the service you require.
Supporting FCA destination
Speak To Independent Loss Adjusters About Your Existing Claim
If your property insurance claim is already underway and you need policyholder-side support, we can review where matters stand and explain whether we may be able to assist.
We will not add noise to an already uncertain situation. We will look at the paperwork, explain the position clearly, and set out what happens next.
In practical terms, this means you can move from uncertainty to a clearer plan.
Speak to Independent Loss Adjusters
- Call: 0800 002 5178
- Email: info@ilauk.co.uk
- Online: Get in touch with our team today.
Darren Carter
Head of Marketing & Technology, Independent Loss Adjusters
Posted by Darren - Over 15 years' experience in online marketing within the insurance claims sector and works with ILA's loss adjusters and claims professionals to turn practical claims knowledge into clear, useful guidance for policyholders.
Customer Testimonials
What Our Clients Say After Working With ILA
When an insurance claim becomes delayed, disputed or difficult to manage, it helps to hear from people who have already been through the process. These comments are from clients who asked Independent Loss Adjusters to help them deal with insurers, evidence, claim decisions, settlement offers and repair concerns.
“ILA have been fantastic throughout this process. I would highly recommend them.”
“I was at my wits' end trying to navigate an insurance claim, with everyone involved being obtuse and evasive. Chris answered my pleas and was on the situation immediately. I hope I never have to use a service like this in the future - but if I do, 110% I would use ILA in a heartbeat.”
“ILA are superb at engaging, on your behalf, with insurance companies. They take ownership of the situation for you and work with you to deliver a tremendous outcome. If your insurance claim has stalled, I would recommend you contact Glenn and Sue at ILA - You will be in exceptionally capable hands.”
“They leapt into action and took a complex claim on and helped us immeasurably. As soon as they were involved we felt like the tide had turned and we were no longer in such a vulnerable situation.”
“We had a very complex insurance claim which Michael and his team worked tirelessly to resolve. We had zero experience in dealing with insurance companies and we would have been lost without them.”
“We were really struggling with our insurance claim until we decided to use ILA. Glen and Sue took charge of the claim and took the worry away from us. Thank you both for your help and support throughout the process.”
These testimonials describe individual clients’ experiences. Outcomes depend on the policy wording, evidence and circumstances of each claim.
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Why Policyholders Speak to ILA
A difficult claim often involves policy wording, technical evidence, repair costs and several parties. Our Loss Adjusters help policyholders understand the position and approach the next step with clearer information.
Policyholder-Focused
ILA is appointed by homeowners, landlords and businesses, not by the insurer handling their claim.
Experienced Claims Team
Our team brings experience across insurance claims, loss adjusting, damage assessment and settlement review.
Evidence-Led Guidance
We review the policy, correspondence and available evidence before explaining what appears clear and what may need further work.
FCA Authorised
Our regulated status supports clear information, appropriate conduct and fair treatment throughout the customer journey.
Independent Loss Adjusters Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for insurance distribution activities.
Need Clearer Direction on Your Claim?
Tell us what has happened and where the claim currently stands. We will review the initial information and explain whether ILA may be able to help.
Every claim depends on its individual circumstances, supporting evidence and policy wording. No particular outcome can be guaranteed.
PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIMS
Help with Property Damage Claims
Different types of damage bring different questions about evidence, repairs and cover. Choose the claim type below to see how ILA may be able to help.
Flood Damage Claims
We can help assess water damage, organise the evidence and present the claim under your policy.
Flood Damage Claim Help
Fire Damage Claims
We review the damage, repair scope and reinstatement costs to help you understand the claim position.
Fire Damage Claim Help
Business Interruption Claims
We assess the interruption, financial records and policy position when insured damage affects trading.
Business Interruption Help
Malicious Damage Claims
We review the damage, circumstances and evidence after vandalism or deliberate damage.
Malicious Damage Claim Help
Impact Damage Claims
We can assess collision or impact damage and review the repair evidence and settlement position.
Impact damage claim help
Theft Insurance Claims
We help organise supporting evidence and review the claim position after burglary or theft.
Theft Claim HelpRequest Free Initial Insurance Claim Advice
Tell us what happened and where your claim stands. The initial conversation is free and without obligation. We’ll ask a few questions and explain whether ILA may be able to help. You can call us or complete the form; we’ll contact you using the details you provide.
If you choose ongoing support, we’ll explain the service and fee before work begins. Our general fee is 10% plus VAT of the overall settlement. Where you appoint ILA’s recommended contractors for the agreed reinstatement works, our fee is generally covered through that contractor route. The position depends on your claim and the proposed work.
What Happens After You Request a Callback?
When we speak, we’ll ask a few initial questions about the damage, your insurance policy and the current position of your claim.
You don’t need to have every document ready. The first conversation is simply to understand what has happened and whether we may be able to help.
If you’d prefer to speak to us directly, call 0800 002 5178.
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