Auto accidents are always unfortunate situations and can be emotionally, mentally, and financially draining. Unfortunately, the financial stress doesn’t end when the repairs are done. Navigating the auto repair claims process after an accident can be complicated and overwhelming.
Here is a list of tips to help you make sure that you get the most out of your insurance policy and get the fairest deal so you can focus on recovery.
Post-accident Information Collection
The first step after an automobile collision is to ensure that you and your fellow passengers are safe. Pull over to a safe area away from traffic when feasible. Call your local police or 911 and sit tight until the cops arrive.
Exchange information with the other drivers, such as insurance IDs, license plate numbers, and contact information. Photograph the accident scene, in addition to the harm caused to all automobiles involved and the road conditions.
Obtain the name and badge number of the responding police officer, and also a duplicate of the police report. As quickly as possible, contact your insurance carrier and register a claim. Finally, consult with an attorney before you make any sworn or recorded comments to the insurance company.
Insurance Company Engagement
Be open and honest as you communicate with the insurance provider after an automobile crash. Examine the contents of your policy before you speak with your insurer or agent, and make meticulous notes of all statements.
You can make a third-party claim through the other driver’s auto insurance carrier or a claim through your own collision policy, depending on who is liable for the accident. Also, investigate if you have any other insurance policies that may cover the claim.
Reach out to the insurance provider’s claims division or use the firm’s claim-filing app to start the claim procedure. The first person who will contact you is most likely a claims adjuster from your insurance company.
They may pose a series of questions, such as where your car is, if it was damaged in the collision, what happened, and if anyone was injured. You do not have to give them permission to record your statement. However, you will need to notify them if a repair shop towed your car.
Vehicle Repair Estimates
When in a car accident, get the vehicle fixed as soon as feasible. The insurance provider may propose a favored shop, but you do not have to choose one of their recommended shops. Find a shop you can rely on, either from a personal referral from a friend, a trustworthy acquaintance, or a family member. Also, ensure that the shop you select is fully licensed and registered in your state.
Ensure the money offered is sufficient to repair the property to the highest standards as you acquire an estimate for your vehicle’s repair. Also, do not allow the insurance company to slow down the process.
If they don’t inspect the property within a week or so of the accident, and you gave the insurer a reasonable opportunity to do so, and you already have two independent written estimates, there’s no reason to put off getting your vehicle repaired if you can afford to pay for it yourself.
Keep an eye out for lowball estimates. Be wary if a third-party insurance adjuster informs you that the firm has a repair shop that would fix your car for significantly less than the estimate you received. Regardless of how much money the automobile owner receives in the settlement, a business designated by the car owner should be the only one that handles the repairs.
Ascertain that the repair parts are original equipment manufacturer (OEM). Non-OEM parts are permissible if the body shop agrees, but if they propose OEM parts or if you have a high-end car, you should insist that your insurer foot the cost of repairs with OEM parts exclusively.
Contact us at Best Collision Center for collision repairs and assistance with claim applications.
