Simple Guide to a Successful Auto Insurance Claim
Auto insurance is now a commodity that goes with your car. Most states in the US require liability auto insurance to answer for the damage caused by the insured to somebody else.
If a claim involves only reimbursement or compensation for vehicle damage, the process may be simple. Insurance companies often based their decision to pay on five things:
1. The information you gave to the insurance company
2. The information the other party gave the insurance company
3. Police report
4. Witnesses testimony
5. Physical damage at the scene of the accident
In a car accident, or any accident for that matter, call 911 in case there is serious injury. When it is not, but there is injury anyway, seek the needed medical attention immediately. Do not forget to call the police. You will eventually need the police report.
Exchange insurance information with the other driver as well as plate numbers. There are number of states which require drivers to carry insurance IDs. Ask for it and take note of the data written therein especially phone numbers.
Unless you figured in an accident on your own in a deserted country road, there will always be someone around who witnessed the accident. Look for one or two who are willing to testify. Be sure to get their phone numbers as well.
If the damage is below $500, it is wise to shoulder the repair cost by yourself. Claiming more than twice in three years would cause some hesitation on the part of the insurer to renew your policy.
If the accident happened off-road or in some business establishment like malls, get an incident report from the security; or if there is none, from the storeowner.
Immediately contact your insurance company. If possible, call your insurer right from the scene of the accident. Many use call-centers which you can call 24 hours a day. Some even provide systematic helpful instructions on what to do during accidents.
Even when you are not the party at-fault, it is still advisable that you file a claim with your own insurer. Your own insurer should be readily available to attend to your needs than the other driver’s insurance company. For a no-fault insurance, you may have to file with your own insurance company.
If the other driver does not have insurance, consult with your Accident Lawyer right away. You may opt to directly negotiate with the other party or file a claim suit in court.
You should tell the other party’s insurer that you are pursuing reimbursement for costs that your own insurer will not pay. You may also want to include the following in your claim:
• Insurance deductible
• Time off work during and immediately after the accident
• Rental differential
• Diminished value of your car in case of resale
You need to prepare as the other party’s insurance company will call and ask you about your own version of the accident. It will do good to write down necessary details of the incident so as not to mix them up. Your statement can always be used against you especially when your claim reaches the court.
After the adjuster’s examination or the insurer’s authorized shop and you believe the settlement is too low, you may elevate the matter for arbitration. If still no acceptable settlement is made, you may have to recourse to legal action and pursue your auto insurance claim with the help of an Accident Lawyer.
For assistance on accident issues such as auto insurance claims, you can confer with our expert Los Angeles accident lawyers. You can log on to our website to avail of our free case analysis.
About the Author
Jamil Estorninos is currently jumbling work and law school. He is now only 5 units away from his law degree but 1.5 million miles away from his dream – to become the next John Grisham. He writes while waiting to become a force to reckon with in the legal world.
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