How To Make A Car Accident Insurance Claim

The leading cause of personal injuries and death in the United States is car accidents, and the expenses that come with it can take a toll on you and your family.

Car accident insurance exists to provide you with financial security and relief in times of emergencies.
Without car accident insurance, the rising medical expenses coupled with the loss of income because you cannot get back to work can leave you in debt and bankrupt in no time.

That is why car accident insurance claims are very common in every state in the US.

However, you should still be vigilant against insurance companies.

Although their purpose is to help you in your time of need, it does not mean that they will. Insurance companies are private companies whose primary objective is still making profits.

And to increase profits, they have to pay fewer claims as much as possible.

That is the purpose of insurance adjusters as well, they are trained to find ways to pay you less or if possible, nothing at all.

That is why you need to understand the process of making a car accident insurance claim; here are some tips that you can follow:

Gets a copy of the police report.
Check the types of coverage included in your car accident insurance policy.
Sign a medical release so that a copy of your medical record will be given to your insurance provider.
Make a physical injuries claim under the medical pay coverage.
If another party is liable, and has no insurance, make a claim under the uninsured motorist coverage.
Get at least two car repair estimates.
Present estimates to insurance provider and allow them to photograph your car.
Present bills for storage and towing services as well.
Make arrangements for a temporary substitute car if you have rental reimbursement coverage.
Notify your insurance provider about other damages discovered during the repair.

To make sure that the insurance company does not deny your claim, here are some dos and donts in car accident insurance claims:

Dos

Contact your insurance company immediately after the accident. There may be a clause that states a deadline when you should report the accident on your policy.
Read your insurance policy to know what types of coverage you have.
Get details about the accident.
Keep a journal of all communications with the insurance agent and the other parties involved.
Keep bills and receipts of all expenses related to the car accident.
Be honest when communicating with the insurance adjuster.
Check if you have other insurance that provides coverage for the same injury.
Consult with a car accident attorney.

Donts

Do not admit to any liability.
Do not agree on anything with the insurance adjuster especially if you do not understand some parts of the claim.
Do not take any offer from the insurance adjuster without consulting a lawyer. It may be smaller than what you deserve.
Do not sign anything that is a release or a waiver of anything without consulting your attorney.
Do not accept a full payment unless you are sure that you are receiving the right amount.

To make it less complicated, you should consult with a car accident attorney.

He/she can help you in what you can and cannot do in negotiating with an insurance company.