Insuring our car is aimed at getting compensation in the event of an accident. After filing a just claim, the insurers honor their promise to the victim. However, if your claim seems unjustified or suspicious, you might lose your car and the right to compensation.
With that in mind, it’s advisable to practice safe driving. Nevertheless, if you get involved in a vehicular accident, ensure you understand what you should do and avoid.
For this reason, this article outlines car insurance claims’ do’s and don’ts for fair compensation. Read on to learn more.
The Do’s
When filing a car insurance claim, remember to follow these steps immediately after the accident:
Contact The Authority
Reporting the accidents to the police ensures you receive an official first-hand report of what transpired. It’s also worth noting that a police report will be required during the car insurance claim process.
However, if the other driver disputes the claim, this report becomes critical, leading to a rejected car accident claim due to a lack of tangible evidence.
Take Pictures And Gather Information
If the accident isn’t that severe to interfere with your physical well-being, it’s essential to gather as much information as possible. Please take pictures of road signs, the other car’s registration number, testimonies from witnesses, and their contact numbers. Also, get the other driver’s contact number and insurer’s information if possible.
Correcting information immediately after the accident will reveal how severely your car is damaged and if there are road signs indicating the required speed limit if the accident was caused by overspeeding. On the other hand, the witnesses’ testimonies will help identify what happened and who’s at fault. Remember, it’s more likely that evidence revealing the other driver’s fault might be tampered with before the police arrive; thus, you should have the actual evidence before that.
Seek Medical Treatment
A car accident can result in severe injuries that might be life-threatening. Unfortunately, not all manifest immediately after the crash. However, you may become preoccupied with filing a car insurance claim and neglect your health, resulting in negative consequences later on. To avoid such situations, seeking medical assistance immediately following the accident is critical. With the advancement in technology, doctors will perform thorough check-ups to determine if you have suffered external or internal injuries that require immediate intervention for a full recovery.
Avoid On-Spot Settlements
Your insurer is more likely to make a quick settlement offer. In such cases, the settlement is always less than the cost of the repairs. It is best to decline such a settlement unless you are willing to pay for repairs out of your own pocket. Instead, research the policy and consider pursuing legal compensation to get what you deserve for all your suffering.
Review Your Insurance Policy
After a car accident, it’s vital to review your insurance policy. Regardless of how minor the accident might be, ensure you understand your right to fair compensation. If you don’t, consider seeking legal advice.
Hire An Attorney
Hiring a personal injury attorney is necessary when filing a car insurance claim. They’re trained and experienced in filing and pursuing such cases for better results. A personal injury attorney will also negotiate on your behalf and represent you throughout the process. They’ll also advise you on the best legal action that’ll surely benefit you.
The Don’ts
The following are the things you should avoid at all costs during a car insurance claim:
File A Dishonest Claim
Before the compensation, your insurance company will likely investigate to determine the truth of the matter. It’s important to note that only truthful claims are compensated. If any fraud is determined, the entire claim is viewed as suspicious and might result in you getting nothing or less.
Admit Fault
In a car accident, anyone can be at fault, even you. However, even if you think you might be at fault, it’s always prudent to consider that the other driver might be the one at fault. Therefore, it’s important to avoid admitting fault. Admitting guilt will negatively affect your claim and may force you to pay for the other car’s damage. So, it would be advisable to allow the police to investigate and determine the cause of the accident.
Negotiate With The Other Driver
The other driver isn’t an expert in determining the value of the damage. Therefore, you shouldn’t agree to negotiate what you should be paid. Any extra-insurance negotiation and settlement will likely result in an insignificant settlement that might not be helpful. In addition, remember that if you consider outside insurance process negotiation, it must only take place in the presence of your attorney.
Agree To Insurance Adjuster’s Evaluation Without Disputing
You should never forget that your insurance company is a business aiming to make profits. That said, they’ll work hard to minimize the compensation as much as possible. With that in mind, avoid agreeing to the adjuster’s evaluation without disputing it. Consider getting a separate damage estimate from a reputable mechanic or seek your lawyer’s help to get a fair settlement.
Conclusion
Filing for a car insurance claim is challenging and easy at the same time. Your immediate actions after the accident determine the amount of compensation you may get. Thus, knowing the do’s and don’ts of a car insurance claim is vital to avoid jeopardizing your case and maximize your compensation as much as possible.