Seven Steps to Filing Your Car Insurance Claim
by: Jon Register
Having even a teeny-tiny car accident can be one of life's least
enjoyable moments. However, accidents happen, and sooner or
later, we all have the experience of meeting one of our fellow
road travelers up close and personal. Using the following seven
steps to filing your claim will help you get over this speed bump
as smoothly as possible.
Step 1: Understand your policy
Before a loss, sit down and carefully read your insurance policy.
Call your agent or company if you have any questions about what
is or is not covered.
Step 2: Exchange information
If you are involved in an accident, get the other driver's name,
address, phone number, insurance carrier, and insurer's phone
number. Be prepared to give the same information about yourself
to the other driver. You can find insurers' telephone numbers on
the proof-of-insurance cards that should be carried on your
person when operating a motor vehicle.
Step 3: Identify witnesses
Ask witnesses to the accident for their names and phone numbers
in case their account of the accident is needed.
Step 4: File an accident report
Contact local law enforcement officers to have an accident report
prepared. If law enforcement is not reachable, accident reports
and detailed instructions are available at all police
departments, sheriff's offices, your local Department of Motor
Vehicles office, and on your local Department of Motor Vehicles'
web site.
Step 5: Notify your insurer
Contact your insurance company about the accident as soon as
possible. An insurance adjuster will review the accident report
to determine who caused the accident. If the accident was not
your fault, you can have either your insurance company or the
at-fault driver's insurance company handle the repair or
replacement of your vehicle. If you use the other driver's
company, you will not have a claim on your automobile policy and
you will not have to pay a deductible.
Step 6: Do not release insurers too early
Do not relieve your insurance company of its responsibility until
the damages are settled to your satisfaction. For example, have
your insurance company handle the claim if the other party's
insurance company questions its policyholder's negligence or
offers an unacceptable settlement.
Step 7: Consider these settlement factors
Bodily injuries: You may be entitled to a monetary settlement for
injuries caused by another at fault (liable) party. It can take
several days for some injuries to become apparent.
Damages: The insurance company is responsible to pay for the
reasonable cost of repairs to your vehicle. An insurance adjuster
will assess the damage. Usually, insurance companies and auto
body shops negotiate disagreements about what should be repaired.
If you disagree with their conclusions, you have the right to
obtain another appraisal at any auto body shop.
Appraisal clause: Most auto insurance policies include an
appraisal clause, which can be used to help settle disputes about
physical damage claims between you and your insurance company.
(The appraisal clause does not apply for claims you file with the
other party's insurance company.) If you cannot reach an
agreement with your company, you or your insurer can initiate the
appraisal clause. Your appraiser and your insurer's appraiser
then select an independent umpire to try to resolve the dispute.
Check your policy or ask your agent or insurance company for more
information about the appraisal clause.
And that is it. While filing a claim is certainly no fun,
following these seven steps will make the process almost as easy
as getting free quotes and purchasing your car insurance at
http://www.carinsurance.com.
Jon Register is a representative of CarInsurance.com. You can
visit CarInsurance.com at http://www.carinsurance.com or contact
them at 1-877-327-8728.
CarInsurance.com's online insurance marketplace gives an
opportunity to consumers and to insurance companies. We offer the
ability to shop for car insurance online.
Consumers can receive quotes from many insurance companies, in
some states you are able to purchase your insurance instantly,
online. You don't have to drive your car to buy car insurance.
Buy online...anytime!
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