A Guide to Filing a Car Accident Claim
After a car accident, the first step towards filing a claim is to contact the police officials. While you might be shaken up and not in a position to give a statement, having a police officer take down accident details in the police report is a good option. This way, you are less likely to hassle over who is to blame for a car accident as you are backed by the police report.
Filing the Accident Report
States have different laws with regards to reporting accidents to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). Before you file the report, make sure you under the legal responsibility on your part and adhere to the process in a legal manner. If you are unsure about it, contact your insurance agent.
Collecting all the Relevant Information
Create a list of all the relevant information that you might need for your claim. Having a list will make it easier for you to track the information requirements of your auto insurance claims. Make sure you document all the important details of the accident and have it readily available for your insurance company.
Get in Touch with the Insurance Company
If you can, make sure you call the insurance company from the accident scene itself. They will tell you what you need to do next in order to file your claim. If your car is not in a driving condition, that you might be advised on how to transport your car. Based on the insurance, the company might arrange the car to be towed and book a rental car for you. If you don’t call them from the accident scene, you might not know what is the next feasible step and might end up spending more money than you should have.
Working with the Specialist
Once you have submitted the claim reports, the insurance company is likely to assign you a claim specialist. He or she is the professional who will represent you in front of third-parties. The professional will investigate the situation, and the claim settlement you should be set forward. You can either meet up with the claim adjuster in person or talk the details over the phone. Additionally, if your car is still at the garage for repair, the specialist will talk to the garage manager and review the overall estimate of the repairs.
At times insurance companies recommend certain garages because they are more credible. Additionally, the claim professional will also assess any personal injury claims and estimate the payment that needs to pay as compensation along with repair costs.
When you are filing an insurance claim, ensure that you provide all the relevant information associated with the accident. The more information you provide, the stronger will be your claim. If you have any questions with regards to the insurance claim, the insurance professional will help you get the right answers. Working with a dedicated professional will ensure that your case is assessed thoroughly and you get the claim that you deserve.