Due to any unfortunate circumstances, if you ever get into a car accident, it can be stressful both emotionally and physically. After attaining a stable condition, don’t just rush towards the insurance company for a claim. Several procedures need to be followed, and a misstep, even a single one can drastically affect the money you are about to get paid. Here is a list of some of the do’s and don’ts that one needs to keep in mind during a car accident claim process:
Table of Contents
The do’s
Let’s check out the list of things you need to do first:
1) Contact your insurance agent
Once the condition of the accident comes to a rest, make sure to immediately inform your insurance agent regarding the situation. Try to make the description as brief as possible so that everyone can be on the same page. If you know that it is not your fault, then you must file a complaint report once the injured has been taken care of.
2) Take photographs
No one is going to believe your part of the story, especially when you are the victim without hard evidence. So makes sure to take photographs of the accident scene, your vehicle’s condition, wounds inflicted upon you. This can help you in the long run.
3) Be honest with your insurance agent
As we have discussed earlier, make sure to give a brief description of the accident to your insurance agent. If you try to fabricate the story or even tamper the tiniest evidence, your insurer might deny your claim.
4) Get contact information of the witnesses
Whenever any accident occurs on the road, chances are there would be at least one witness. For this reason, with your case, you need to take contact information from the same, so that police can verify and get along with the investigation. That beings said, their numbers can also help your lawyer to get in contact with them.
5) Keep all of your notes and receipts in check
Make sure to keep track of all people whom you are conversing with regarding your claim from The Insurance Company. As for the receipt, make sure to keep them handy for all the meals and travelling expenses, so that you can get a complete reimbursement during the claim.
6) Have a clear understanding of your car accident insurance coverage
Before you just right into claiming for an accident, make sure to give a thorough reading to all the terms and conditions related to the insurance. This is just to make sure that you get everything clear from your side of the claim.
The don’ts
With all the do’s mentioned above, now is the time to keep some don’ts in check so that you don’t end up missing the bigger picture of the claim process.
1) Don’t admit your fault
For the majority of us, if we ever get into an accident, we always end up asking for forgiveness. Some of the common phrase, including “Oh! I am extremely sorry.” While this might be a gesture of our kindness, that same can be used against yourself during a claim.
2) No scope for negotiation
Never negotiate directly with the person who has caused the accident. While initially, it might seem like a quick fix for the problem, but you have a chance of getting more once you have settled the claim with the insurance company instead.
3) Don’t sign any waiver
While getting your claim settlement done, you shall be signing several releases, but before putting your precious signature before any one of them, make sure to seek for legal consultation so that it doesn’t affect your claim benefit from any angle.
4) Never go for immediate settlements
Now, while you are getting your claim settlement done, in order to compensate for your losses, your insurance company shall come up with an immediate settlement agreement in order to tackle all the hassle. While that might be beneficial for the company, it is never the same for you. For the majority of the times, immediate settlements are always lower as compared to that of what you shall be getting after settlement. So, never rush for quick money.
5) Never speculate
If there is some fact that you vividly remember, make sure to confront the same with the police. But never speculate. Speculation on such instances is always regarded as a false statement.
Final takeaway
No matter the case, if you are met with an accident, don’t lose your cool during the entire process of claim. While getting along with legal documentation, it can be tedious at times. That being said, if you keep track of all the do’s and don’ts mentioned above, during your car accident insurance claim, you are always good to go.
Learn more about the vehicle accidents and their increasing ratio, on this website: www.advanceautocars.com
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