Undoubtedly, the costs associated with repairing or replacing a vehicle can be hefty. Thankfully, this is precisely why you have car insurance. Filing a claim, alerts your insurance company about an incident and they can begin rectifying the situation.
Submitting a car insurance claim isn’t as simple as just informing your insurer about the incident. You should undertake a few measures at the accident site and post-claim submission to expedite your car’s repair and return to driving. Outlined below are the five steps required to lodge a car insurance claim.
Secure Your Own Safety, then Document the Situation
In a car accident, your safety and the safety of others should be the priority. Find a secure area and ensure other individuals involved are also safe. Look for any injuries present. If there are, immediately dial 911 or ask someone else to call.
If no injuries are apparent, medical help is not required, and your car is in drivable condition, try moving it away from traffic flow. Once you’re safely positioned, thoroughly document the incident by taking ample photographs. Ensure you document the following information:
- License plate numbers and state of vehicles involved
- Full names, addresses, contact numbers, and license numbers of all drivers involved
- Insurance details from other drivers, including their policy numbers
- Vehicle identification numbers, along with the make, model, color, and year of the vehicles
- Photographs showing the damage to both cars and any other affected property (like a mailbox or telephone pole)
- The exact location of the accident
- Names, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses and passengers
Reach Out to Your Insurance Provider
After receiving medical attention for your injuries, you must contact your insurance company’s representative to report the incident. The representative will inquire about various details and probably send you forms to complete. Any relevant information you possess should be shared with them to expedite your claim processing. Thoroughly go through your coverage and exclusions to avoid unexpected outcomes.
Make it a point to maintain meticulous records of your telephonic conversations, noting down the names, dates, times, and roles of the individuals you interact with. Honesty is key in your interactions with your insurance company. Even if certain facts are uncomfortable to disclose, transparency’s preferable. If you withhold information from your insurance firm, it could lead to a denial of coverage.
Understanding the distinction between actual cash value and replacement coverage is vital. Refrain from providing written or recorded statements to your insurance representative until you clearly understand your coverage. Don’t readily accept your insurance representative’s loss appraisal or estimate. While they are there to assist you, they also have their own interests to protect, as they are in a business to make profits.
Collaborate With Your Insurance Claims Adjuster
The insurance firm you’re with will delegate an adjuster, or possibly several, to scrutinize your claim. Ordinarily, the adjuster will contact you within one to three days of submitting the claim. The adjuster’s tasks include scheduling an inspection, evaluating your vehicle’s damage, and handling any personal injury claims if applicable. The adjuster might also review police reports and conduct interviews with any witnesses to the incident.
Your insurance provider may require you to obtain a quote for your vehicle’s repair costs. The repair shop will then forward to your insurance company. Your insurer will formulate their evaluation based on the information your adjuster and the repair shop provided.
Capture Images or Document Everything
Should you be able to do so, or have someone close to you help, document all facets of the accident scene and the vehicles involved by writing it down or capturing photos. Photograph or film any injuries you sustained and the destruction caused to your respective cars.
This visual evidence could prove crucial if you encounter difficulties with the insurance firm or engage a car accident attorney. Since cuts, bruises, and scrapes tend to heal swiftly, taking pictures of these injuries is advisable. If a conventional digital camera is unavailable, utilize your mobile phone to take the necessary shots.
Finalize the Claim
Upon approval of your claim, the insurance entity is set to disburse a check. Should you feel that the remuneration doesn’t adequately cover your loss, you can request a case reassessment from your insurer for a just compensation.
Communicate with your insurer about your apprehensions to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution. If the claim handling by the insurance company doesn’t meet your satisfaction, you can reach out to the Department of Insurance.
If your claim faces rejection in Ohio, seeking legal guidance on your insurance claim from experts like the Legal Finders lawyers would be sensible. They can help escalate your case to the small-claims court by filing a bad faith claim against your insurer. However, prior to initiating any legal action, it’s preferable to attempt resolution through direct contact with your insurance representative.
Endnote
Filing an auto insurance claim after a road mishap can be daunting and terrifying. However, being well-prepared can make the process seem less intimidating. It’s crucial to comprehend your insurance coverage and familiarize yourself with the necessary actions to take following a car accident. In the event that you are involved in a road accident, adhere to the previously mentioned steps to ensure you receive compensation for the expenditures resulting from the collision.
