First Notice of Loss (FNOL)

First notice of loss (FNOL) — also called first report of loss — is the moment you tell your insurer that something happened: an accident, a theft, a customer injury, a lawsuit threat. It opens the claim file, assigns an adjuster, and starts the clock on investigation and payment.

Prompt FNOL matters legally and practically. Most policies contain a condition requiring notice "as soon as practicable," and late notice can jeopardize coverage — especially on claims-made policies, where reporting the claim during the policy period (or an extended reporting window) is itself a coverage trigger. Even a potential claim or circumstance is often worth noticing to lock in coverage.

A good FNOL captures the who/what/when/where, any injuries or damages, and witnesses. That early record feeds the loss run your future renewals and underwriting will reflect, so accurate, timely reporting protects both the current claim and your insurability.