After any involvement in a car accident, you will at some point be making a car insurance claim. Once you have to file a car insurance claim, you will be dealing with insurance adjustors and that can be a challenge. Here are some vital tips to consider when making car insurance claims after an accident.
As soon as you possibly can after an accident or injury, you must contact your car insurance company. If you had a serious injury then you must take care of it first but call your insurance agent as soon as you can. You should reread your car insurance policy and make sure you understand it. When you determine the coverage your policy permits, you can then make your claim. If there is any aspect of your car insurance policy or claim that you do not understand, then you should never give any statement or anything in writing to any agent of the insurance company.
It is important that you get detailed information about the accident. This includes a copy of the police report, pictures of the damages to all vehicles involved, and injuries sustained. Also the names and numbers of witnesses to the accident should be secured as they may be able to assist you in proving your car insurance claim later. Also get the insurance details about the other driver or vehicles that were involved in the accident.
It is also good to have any conversations and dealings with the car insurance company during the claims process done in writing. You should also save any receipt or bills you receive for the expenses that relate to your car insurance claim, this includes repair work done and any medical cost. You must be honest with the insurance investigators because if you are not your claim may be delayed or denied for fraudulent reasons.
You should never admit liability but state the facts of the accident and leave the determination of liability to the insurance investigators because that is their job. Do not take too long to file your car insurance claim because there is a time limit after the accident within which you must file and if you do not file your claim will be invalid.
If you are asked to sign anything that is a release or a waiver and you are unsure about what it means you may have to consult a lawyer to assist you. Any check you receive from the car insurance company should not be accepted if you believe it is not fair compensation.