Experiencing damage to your car or home is stressful enough without having to navigate a complex claims process. Fortunately, the Swedish insurance claim system is relatively straightforward and increasingly digitized. This guide will walk you through the process of filing both car and property insurance claims in Sweden, helping you maximize your chances of a successful outcome.
Before You Need to Make a Claim: Be Prepared
Being prepared before an incident occurs can make the claims process much smoother:
- Keep your policy documents in an easily accessible location
- Save your insurance company's contact information in your phone
- For home insurance: maintain an inventory of valuable items with photos and receipts
- For car insurance: keep a copy of a European Accident Statement form (Europeisk skadeanmälan) in your vehicle
- Download your insurance company's mobile app if available
Filing a Car Insurance Claim in Sweden
Immediate Steps After an Accident
- Ensure safety: Check for injuries and move to a safe location if possible
- Call emergency services: Dial 112 if there are injuries or significant damage
- Exchange information: Get the other driver's:
- Name and contact details
- Vehicle registration number
- Insurance company and policy number
- Document the scene:
- Take photos of all vehicles involved from multiple angles
- Photograph the accident scene, including road conditions and relevant traffic signs
- Take pictures of any injuries (if appropriate)
- Gather witness information: If there were witnesses, collect their contact details
Completing the Accident Report
For accidents involving two vehicles, it's best to complete a European Accident Statement form together with the other driver. This form has two identical sides - one for each driver. When completed and signed by both parties, each driver keeps one copy.
The form includes:
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- Details of both vehicles and drivers
- Insurance information
- A diagram to show how the accident occurred
- Description of damage to each vehicle
- Signatures of both drivers
If you don't have this form, write down all the relevant information and have both parties sign it.
Reporting to the Police
In Sweden, you must report an accident to the police if:
- Someone was injured
- The damage is extensive
- There is property damage other than to the vehicles (such as road signs or guardrails)
- One party leaves the scene without providing their details
- One driver appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs
For non-emergency police reports, call 114 14 or visit a police station.
Additionally, you must always report theft or vandalism to the police before filing an insurance claim for these incidents. You'll need the police report number (anmälningsnummer) for your insurance claim.
Contacting Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours of the accident. Most Swedish insurance companies offer multiple contact methods:
- Phone (many have 24/7 claim hotlines)
- Online through their website
- Via their mobile app
- In person at a local office or authorized repair shop
When you make the initial contact, you'll need to provide:
- Your policy number
- Basic information about the incident
- Vehicle registration number
The insurance company will guide you through their specific process and may assign you a claim number immediately.
Vehicle Inspection and Repair
After filing a claim, your insurance company will typically:
- Ask you to take your vehicle to an approved inspection center or repair shop
- Have their adjuster assess the damage
- Provide an estimate for repairs
- Approve repairs at their partner workshops, or
- Declare the vehicle a total loss if repair costs exceed a certain percentage of the car's value
Most Swedish insurance companies have partnerships with specific repair shops (verkstad). Using these approved workshops often streamlines the process, as they work directly with the insurer and may offer courtesy cars.
Filing a Home Insurance Claim in Sweden
Immediate Steps After Property Damage or Theft
- Address any emergencies:
- For fires, call 112 and evacuate
- For water damage, turn off the main water supply if possible
- For break-ins or theft, call the police at 112 if the intruder might still be present, or 114 14 to report after the fact
- Document everything:
- Take photos and videos of all damage before cleaning up or making temporary repairs
- For theft, make a list of stolen items
- Note the date and time the damage occurred or was discovered
- Prevent further damage: Take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage (covering broken windows, placing containers under leaks, etc.)
Police Reports for Property Claims
For theft, vandalism, or break-ins, a police report is mandatory before filing an insurance claim. You can file this report:
- Online through the police website for simple cases
- By phone at 114 14
- In person at a police station for more complex cases
You'll receive a police report number that you'll need to provide to your insurance company.
Contacting Your Insurance Company
Contact your home insurance provider as soon as possible. Most companies require notification within a specific timeframe (typically 6-12 months, but sooner is always better).
Contact options typically include:
- Customer service phone line
- Online claim form
- Mobile app
- Email (less common and usually slower)
During this initial contact, you'll provide basic information about the incident, and the company will guide you through their specific process.
Completing the Claim Form (Skadeanmälan)
After the initial contact, you'll need to complete a formal claim form. Most companies now offer this online or through their app. You'll typically need to provide:
- Your policy number and personal details
- Date, time, and location of the incident
- Detailed description of what happened
- List of damaged or stolen items with approximate values
- Photos of the damage
- Police report number (for theft or vandalism)
- Receipts for valuable items (if available)
- Details of any emergency repairs already made
The Inspection Process
For significant property damage, the insurance company may send an adjuster (skadereglerare) to inspect your home. They will:
- Assess the extent of the damage
- Determine if the damage is covered under your policy
- Estimate repair costs
- Document the condition of your property
For smaller claims or straightforward theft claims, the inspection might be waived, and the claim processed based on your documentation and description.
Tracking Your Claim
Most Swedish insurance companies now offer digital tools to track your claim's progress:
- Online customer portals
- Mobile apps with claim status updates
- Email or text notifications
If you're not seeing progress, don't hesitate to contact your claims handler directly. Most companies assign a specific person to manage your claim.
Understanding Deductibles (Självrisk)
In Swedish insurance, you'll pay a deductible (självrisk) when making a claim. This is the amount you're responsible for before insurance coverage kicks in.
Typical deductible amounts:
- Car insurance: 1,500-5,000 SEK, depending on your policy
- Home insurance: 1,000-3,000 SEK for standard claims
Some specific types of damage may have different deductibles:
- Water damage often has a higher deductible (up to 10,000 SEK)
- Legal protection claims typically have a deductible of 20-25% of the costs
Common Reasons Claims Are Denied
To improve your chances of a successful claim, be aware of these common reasons claims are denied in Sweden:
- Policy exclusions: The specific damage is excluded from your coverage
- Insufficient documentation: Lack of photos, receipts, or police reports
- Late reporting: Not notifying the insurer within the required timeframe
- Lack of maintenance: Damage resulting from neglect or poor maintenance
- Policy non-compliance: Not following security requirements (like using approved locks)
- Insurance fraud suspicion: Inconsistencies in your claim
What If Your Claim Is Denied?
If your claim is denied, you have several options:
- Request a review: Contact your insurance company and ask for a claim review, providing any additional information or documentation
- File a complaint with the company: Most insurers have a formal complaints process
- Contact the National Board for Consumer Disputes (ARN): This is a free service that mediates disputes between consumers and businesses
- Seek advice from the Swedish Consumers' Insurance Bureau (Konsumenternas Försäkringsbyrå): They provide free guidance on insurance matters
- As a last resort: Consider legal action, though this is rarely necessary in Sweden
Conclusion
Filing an insurance claim in Sweden is a relatively straightforward process if you know the steps to follow. The key to a successful claim is documenting everything thoroughly, reporting promptly, and maintaining clear communication with your insurance provider.
While the process might seem daunting, especially for non-Swedish speakers, most insurance companies now offer service in English and have digital tools that make the process more accessible. Remember that insurance is there to protect you during difficult times, so don't hesitate to use it when you genuinely need it.