How to Start a Claim with BNW Services

FAQs · InsureToday24 (BNW Services LLC), a licensed independent agency across MO, KS, NE, TN, OK, AR & CO.

# How to Start a Claim with BNW Services

When something goes wrong — a hailstorm dents your roof, a fender-bender on I-70, a kitchen fire, or a customer slips at your shop — the last thing you want is confusion about who to call. This guide walks you through exactly how to start a claim when BNW Services LLC (doing business as InsureToday24) is your independent agent.

The most important thing to know up front: your claim is paid by your insurance carrier, not by us. As an independent agency, BNW shops 69+ appointed carriers to find your coverage. That means the company that actually handles, investigates, and pays your claim is whichever carrier wrote your policy. Our job is to help you get the claim started correctly, stand in your corner, and translate the process when it gets confusing.

Step 1: Make Sure Everyone Is Safe First

Before anything insurance-related, handle the emergency. Call 911 if there are injuries or an active hazard. Get out of a damaged structure. Move to a safe spot after a car accident. No claim is worth your safety, and insurers expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage (this is called your "duty to mitigate").

If it's safe and practical, take temporary steps to limit further loss — tarp a roof, shut off the water, board a broken window. Keep your receipts for those emergency repairs; many policies reimburse reasonable mitigation costs.

Step 2: Document Everything

Good documentation speeds up your payout. Before you clean up or repair, gather:

For auto claims in Missouri and Kansas, exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver but avoid admitting fault at the scene — fault is for the adjusters to determine.

Step 3: Report the Claim Promptly

You generally have two paths to start your claim, and either is fine:

Call us first. Reach BNW at (573) 594-5148. Lucy, our AI receptionist, answers 24/7 and can take your information, log the loss, and route you to the right place. You can also start the conversation at insuretoday24.com. We'll confirm which carrier holds your policy and the correct way to file with them.

Or report directly to your carrier. Every carrier we represent has its own claims line and, in most cases, a website or app for first notice of loss (FNOL). If you have your declarations page handy, the claims phone number is printed on it. Reporting directly is often the fastest route for time-sensitive losses like a car that needs towing.

Report as soon as reasonably possible. Most policies require "prompt" notice, and long delays can complicate or jeopardize a claim. If you're unsure whether something is even worth filing, call us — we'll talk it through honestly, including whether filing might affect your future rate.

Step 4: Work With the Adjuster

After the claim is opened, your carrier assigns a claims adjuster. The adjuster investigates the loss, reviews your policy, may inspect the damage in person or by photo, and determines what's covered and how much is owed. To learn more about that role, see our guide on what an insurance adjuster does.

Be responsive and honest. Provide the documentation you gathered, answer questions accurately, and keep a log of who you spoke with and when. If repairs are needed, ask whether you must get estimates and whether the carrier has preferred shops. For a total loss — say, a car or home damaged beyond economical repair — the payout is typically based on actual cash value or your policy's replacement-cost terms, which we can explain for your specific policy.

Step 5: Understand Your Deductible and Payout

Your deductible is the amount you pay before the carrier pays the rest. If your roof claim is approved for $9,000 and your deductible is $1,500, the carrier pays $7,500. Knowing your deductible up front prevents surprises. The check may come in stages — for example, an initial payment, then a final payment once repairs are documented.

Where BNW Fits In

Throughout the process, we're your advocate, not the decision-maker. We can help you understand your coverage, push for a fair and timely review, explain a settlement offer, and — if a claim is wrongly denied — point you toward your appeal rights. Both the Missouri Department of Commerce & Insurance (insurance.mo.gov) and the Kansas Department of Insurance (insurance.kansas.gov) also offer consumer assistance and complaint processes if you and your carrier reach an impasse.

A Few Honest Reminders

Bottom line: when trouble hits, get safe, document the damage, and call (573) 594-5148 or visit insuretoday24.com. We'll make sure your claim reaches the right carrier and that you don't navigate it alone.

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