Three Tips On Making An Auto Insurance Claim
When making an auto insurance claim, there are more than a few things you need to know. Filing a poor or incorrect claim could cost you money on future auto insurance quotes. When a claim is filed, there are lawyers for the insurance companies who will fight to have the claim rejected or reduced. Make a mistake, and you could end up with a lawyer making the case that you might be responsible, or at least, that the insurance company isn't responsible. Thus, there are three things you should make sure you do when filing a claim.
Getting it right from the start is the most important thing you can do. Once you have been involved in an accident, the first thing you should do is make sure you exchange information with the other driver. Never assume you don't need it (even if there doesn't appear to be damage), and never let the other driver tell you that he or she won't give it to you. Make sure you call the police in order to have a neutral observer present. Never ever admit fault, even if you were at fault. It is not your decision to make. And make sure that you are clear about the facts of the accident, such as which direction you were going, what your speed was, and the logistics of the accident itself. Ask the other driver if he or she is hurt. Hearing the other person tell you that he or she is not injured may forestall a claim for injuries at a later date. (This isn't always the case, but it's the only thing you can do at the accident scene.)
The second thing you can do is file the claim immediately. Most insurance companies have 24-hour claim assistance; therefore, it's easy to file even if your agent is not available. Make sure you get all of your facts straight and answer all questions completely. The longer you wait to file the claim, the worse it looks for you. Make sure you are completely honest with the insurance company as well. A lie now could cost you a lot of money later.
Finally, cooperate with both insurance companies. If you are asked to see a doctor due to an injury that you are claiming, then make sure you go. If you are asked to fax a copy of the police report, do not hesitate or forget to do so. All information and follow up information is vital to protecting you in a claim. Do not make the mistake of dragging your feet when it comes to your auto insurance claim. There's no telling how much it could cost on auto insurance quotes.
