Being involved in an auto accident is traumatic enough, but many people are traumatized a second time by the insurance company. When you are involved in an accident, the insurance company might try to minimize the amount of the claim or seek to place the blame for the accident on you. Learning how to negotiate effectively with the insurance company is the best way to get what you deserve.
Make sure all your car cheap car insurance quote records are in order. Your insurance policy, your car registration papers, your license etc. Always ensure that everything is valid and up to date. You don’t want to find o
ut at the time of filing a car insurance claim that your insurance expired only last week and that you were driving without car insurance for a week! Not only do you lose any chance to claim, but also get penalized for driving uninsured. In some states, if you’re caught driving without insurance, you are automatically treated ‘at fault’ in an accident. These are things you want to avoid at all costs; so stay organized.
For difficult car accident claims where fault is at issue, there are serious injuries, several vehicles were involved, or unusual circumstances surrounded the accident (bad weather, construction, etc.) the insurance claim process can be a little more involved. The adjuster will generally contact those involved in the accident, including drivers, passengers, witnesses, and possibly the police officer who came to the scene to get accurate details of what really happened. The claims adjuster may conduct interviews, obtain recorded statements, research traffic laws where the accident occurred, and review photos of damage and hospital records to collect additional information. You have to complete a certain amount of paperwork and may have to meet with an adjuster in this scenario.
Report the accident to authorities. If there are people who have seen the accident, ask for a statement from them. Their statements are important in deciding who is at fault. Whoever is at fault will be responsible for the expenses. If you are at fault, your insurance company will have to cover your personal expenses and that of the other person involved in the accident.
Call your car insurance agent immediately. It is important that you let know about the accident. This is a factor in determining the validity of the claim. If you want your claim to be processed immediately, you should do your part by reporting the accident as soon as possible.
Take into consideration settlements for bodily injuries and damages. If you are not at fault, make sure that the other person’s insurance company has financially settled you for injuries and damages. Talk to the insurance adjuster about the value of your claim. Make it clear that you have secured alternate transportation, and that you have no immediate need for the insurance company’s money or settlement. Negotiating from a position of strength is one of the best ways to get the insurance settlement you deserve.
It’s always a good idea to know the details of your car insurance policy so you know what’s covered and what isn’t should something happen. And that call to your insurance agent before you do anything else is paramount. You want to protect yourself in all situations, so it’s incredibly important not to do anything that could violate the terms of your policy. Write down any details you may find important if you have the opportunity, because it’s common for a person’s memory to falter a little after the fact, especially if your adrenaline is rushing after an accident or theft. Once you get your call in and relay the details, you’ll just have to provide the documents your agent asks for and wait for the process to unfold.
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