So, youve been involved in an automobile crash, but youre not exactly sure what your next steps should be? Were of the opinion that if your automobile has sustained significant damage, or if youve suffered a physical injury, its time to file a claim with your insurance company.
After all, while most of us hope to never use our car insurance policies, in cases such as the one described above, it is time to actually put our coverage to use. We think most people will find that the claims process will happen quickly and easily. After all, if youre eligible for the claim youre making, youll likely be satisfied with the outcome.
If youve never been involved in a claim before, the process can seem a bit unwieldy. For those whove made claims in the past, youre probably knowledgeable about how the process works. But if this is your first experience with filing a claim, fear not. Were here to help guide you through exactly what steps you should take
Steps in Filing a Claim with Your Auto Insurer
Your first step will depend upon how you purchased your policy. If you bought your auto policy from a local agent be they independent or captive youll want to contact your agent, and theyll guide you through the process. Your agent will provide details on the documentation youll need to provide police report, medical and/or auto repair bills, and perhaps a proof of loss form.
If you didnt buy your policy from an agent lets say you purchased it online or over the phone or if your insurer doesnt use agents, then you can also directly contact the insurance company yourself. Most offer multiple ways to file a claim, including: over the telephone, over the Internet and some even allow filing claims with a smartphone application.
Once youve filed a claim, the process becomes state-specific. In no-fault states, youll only be working directly with your insurer. In states that have at-fault coverage, you may need to directly contact the other drivers insurer although some individual insurance companies will handle such steps directly for their customers. If yours does not, the process of dealing with the other drivers insurance company is usually as easy as making a phone call.
Our best advice when it comes to a collision with another driver is to document everything. This includes details such as the specifics of the crash will complete who, what, when, why and how specifics, and even having photographs of the scene as well. While the police will provide the bulk of details, through their report or even with accident reconstruction, having your own cache of information is not a slight or small detail to overlook.
Your efforts at documentation shouldnt stop once you leave the scene of the crash. Be sure to keep records of your expenses related to the accident. Medical bills, hospital bills, auto repair bills and even evidence of lost wages should all be collected, as applicable. Dont forget to keep copies of these documents for yourself in case of a snafu, youll have your own copies to refer back to.
What Happens Next?
Once youve filed your claim, the insurer will assign an adjuster to your case. The job of an adjuster is to examine the damage to your automobile, as well as determining what is and what is not covered. Some insurers utilize agents as adjusters, some employ adjusters as separate positions, and some simply contract with independent adjusters. Be sure to ask the adjuster what their exact relationship with your auto insurance company is.
Once an adjuster makes their determination on the findings, theyll report back to the insurer. Following that step, youll either hear from the adjuster or your insurer on what is covered, what sort of parts will be utilized to repair your car, and what the total amount will be.
If youre not happy with the adjusters determination, youll probably have to negotiate a settlement. If you disagree, youll need to speak up, and support your thought process with reasoning. For example, if your car is just a year or two old, and the adjuster is specifying non-OEM parts, explain that these will not bring your car up to the point it was.
All is not lost if you cannot come to an agreement ask your insurance agent for help writing a demand letter requesting reconsideration, or work directly with the insurer. Because adjusters work in a settlement range, theyll often offer a low-ball estimate on the first go. They are charged with settling claims for as low as possible, so there is probably room for negotiation. Dont simply assume their first offer is the best available.
If youre still unable to come to an agreement, you have other options available, including:
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