The Do's and Don'ts of Filing a Car Insurance Claim (2)
When the time comes for it, you don't want to mess with your car insurance claim. After all, you've just had an accident, which is stressful as it is, without having to worry about something else thrown into the mix to make it worse. So what are the dos and don'ts of filing a car insurance claim? Let's find out.
THE DO's:
Call your car insurance company as soon as an accident or injury takes place. Amongst the first few calls you make after an accident, calling your car insurance company should undoubtedly be one of them.
Be absolutely certain of what kind of auto insurance coverage you're paying for. Make it a point to read the "coverage" and "exclusion" sections of you policy so that you know what you're covered for should you meet with accident and need to file a claim. There's nothing worse than finding out your coverage doesn't pay for certain scenarios, leaving you in the lurch.
If you are involved in an accident where the other party is at fault, ask to speak to their insurance provider immediately. Keep detailed notes of your conversation with the insurance agent. Get names, contact numbers, and job titles of people you speak with and even ask for their supervisor's name, just to be on the safe side.
Take pictures of the accident scene along with the damage to your vehicle and your injuries (if any) at the time of the accident. It is important for you to document the accident scene as best you can.
Be honest with your insurer. Make sure he has all the facts. You want to make sure he knows every single detail. If you fail to do so, there's a chance your policy could get cancelled or your claim could be denied.
Be sure to keep all receipts of meals, rentals, lodging, hospital bills and purchases from the time you make your claim until the final settlement has been made with your insurance company.
THE DON'TS
If the estimate of your losses given to you by the insurer doesn't satisfy you, don't settle. Insurance companies tend to try to get you to accept their contractor's estimate cost of repairs, which in most cases might be a bit low.
Don't sign any releases or waivers until you obtain legal advice. Consult an attorney before signing a release or waiver and be sure to read the fine print on any payment from the insurance company.
Don't ignore time limits set by your policy. Insurance companies need you to file a claim within a certain time limit after an accident. Sometimes you might not be satisfied with the amount being offered by your auto insurance company. In such cases you should remember that many policies allow you only one year from the date of the accident during which period you can take legal action if your claim has not been adjusted fairly. If your claim has not been settled to your satisfaction, act quickly and consult an attorney immediately.
Don't admit to any mistake of your own after an accident. Stick to the facts and don't take the blame if the fault isn't clear. If police are involved, let them decide who was at fault and then take it from there.
Be honest, prompt and careful when filing an insurance claim. Careless of any sort could affect your claim and you don't want to take any such chances.