After The Accident: Filing An Auto Insurance Claim
October 29, 2009 | Comments | Insurance News, Travel News
A car accident, whether major or minor, is always traumatic to some degree, and filing that insurance claim may be the last thing on your mind. However, you must remember to be practical, and after all the effort you exerted in choosing the right auto insurance company, it is now your right to stake the claim. After all, it is not just your car that has suffered through the incident; it is you, or worse, your loved ones as well.
In the immediate aftermath of an accident, you must first survey the extent of damages sustained, while remaining calm. See if there is anybody needing immediate medical attention. Some injuries appear minor, but may eventually complicate- so have them checked out as well. Get your hands on a copy of the medical reports.
Get the name and complete contact information of the other driver. You must also get the name and contact details of his insurer, and be ready to give your own. This is one of the reasons it is advisable to carry your proof-of-insurance cards while driving- all the contact information you need can be found there. If possible, obtain the names and contact details of witnesses as well. They may be needed to verify events.
There are two very necessary calls after the incident- one would naturally be to your police department or local law enforcement office. This is in order to file a prompt accident report.
The other important call would be to your own auto insurance company. Some insurance companies will declare your claim invalid if you file it after a specified amount of time, so make the call as soon as you can, even at the scene if possible. They will go through the accident report, and if the accident was not your fault, you can select either your own insurance company or the at-fault driver’s company to pay for the repairs or replacement of the damaged parts of your vehicle. You will only have a claim on this insurance policy if you let your own auto insurance company handle it.
In case you have given out your contact details to the auto insurance company of the other driver, expect a call, especially if there is a question as to the at-fault party, or some argument about the incident. Remember that documentation is the key. Record whatever you have said, and the name of the customer service agent who gave you the call.
Consider the bodily injuries sustained as well as the damages to your vehicle. Document all the medications taken, photograph visible injuries, and tell your doctor to keep notes of your various aches and pains. You may also be able to file for pain and suffering compensation, apart from your medical bills.
You will notice how often proper documentation is stressed. Once you file that claim, present all that you have so diligently collected- from the medical reports to the mechanical records. There are a lot of loopholes in the claiming process, but complete documents will make the whole procedure of payment faster.
If you haven’t yet read through your actual car insurance policy, this is the time to do so. Find out what exactly your auto insurance covers. After reading through, list down parts where you need clarification, and present your questions to your auto insurance agent. You must also discuss the settlement factors, and inquire about the presence of an appraisal clause.
As long as you approach the auto insurance claim process with a level head and in an orderly fashion, the experience will be smoother, less time-consuming, and ultimately, more rewarding.
