Documents That Auto Insurance Companies Need To Process Major Claims
Although no two auto insurance companies are the same, most insurers handle car insurance claims in roughly the same way. They'll require the same type of legal paperwork, including proof of loss documentation and receipts, and they're held to the same standards when it comes to deciding whether to pay out on claims. Insurance policy holders can often speed the claims process along by understanding the types of documents that auto insurance companies will need and by taking steps to submit this info as quickly as is possible.
When a vehicle is totaled, the car insurance company may request a title transfer if they're purchasing the vehicle from the driver (usually for use as scrap metal or for a third party sale). Vehicle title transfers vary by state. In most instances, the vehicle owner will need to sign a single form and send it directly to the insurance provider. Vehicle title transfer forms usually can't be faxed, as the original copy of the document is required for the transfer to be valid. They're usually very simple to fill out, and in many cases they'll simply require a signature. Some insurance companies will also send along a transfer of power of attorney form. These forms allow car insurance claims adjusters to act on behalf of the driver, and they're usually sent to drivers when a major claim is filed.
Many minor car insurance claims won't require much paperwork other than proof of loss documentation. Usually, this just means a receipt. A car insurance claims adjuster can walk a driver through the process for making these smaller claims, but less money typically means less paperwork. However, the process varies greatly from one state to the next and between insurance providers. It's always best to stay in touch with an adjuster to ensure that all of the necessary paperwork has been submitted, particularly when a claim seems to be taking an abnormally long time to pay out.
After claims have been properly submitted, drivers will typically receive checks from their insurance providers within a few weeks. Most states have laws which prevent insurance companies from taking too long to make their payments, and if extra paperwork is necessary in order to process a claim, an insurance company must inform their customers of this in a timely manner. Drivers should try to collect all relevant paperwork and ship original documents via a mail service with a tracking number, such as USPS certified mail. This ensures that the claims process moves quickly and allows insurance policy holders to resolve their claims as quickly and easily as possible.
