Auto Accident Claim

After an auto accident, the last thing that is usually going through your mind is your auto accident claim. When the dust settles and everyone is ok, you may be faced with the fact that your vehicle is a broken and battered hunk of metal that is no longer road ready. So what happens now? Here are 5 tips to help you when filing you car accident claim with your insurance company.

Understanding the fine print in your insurance policy prior to an accident is always best. Your car insurance agent is there for this very purpose, to help you understand your policy. Knowing what type of coverage you have (liability or comprehensive and collision) is a start, but you should also find out what you are entitled too when your vehicle is damaged or totaled. Being armed with this knowledge prior to the accident is always best.

Get all the insurance information from all of the involved parties. This simple, and often overlooked, step is important, particularly if the accident was not your fault. You may not have to pay your deductible if the other party was at fault because their insurance will cover it.

After an accident, emotions can run high and it is best to notify the authorities, especially if there are any injuries. If the unfortunate happens and the case is disputed or one of the parties involved doesn't have car insurance, you have a record of what transpired in case you are forced to take your case to court. In an auto accident case the judge is going to ask for a police report, so come prepared.

Most agents will come to the scene of the accident and take pictures if you call them. The agent can then fill out the claim form and conduct interviews while all parties and witnesses are present.

Determine how much your vehicle is worth or how much the insurance company will pay to have it repaired. Find the blue book value of your vehicle if it was totaled. Insurance companies use a wide variety of factors to determine the value of your car including several pricing books and web sites, along with dealer surveys and actual car sales. Some companies also factor in local sales tax and registration.

The number the insurance company comes up with may vary greatly from what you find. Determine the actual cash value of your car and if the number is significantly different than what the insurance company is offering, you can ask for an adjustment. Insurance companies are required by law to give you a fair price as long as you have facts to support your claim. Having this information may allow you to increase the amount of money you receive on your insurance claim. If the vehicle was not totaled you can file your claim and have it repaired.

Auto accidents are an unfortunate part of life, and dealing with the aftermath is not a lot of fun. However, by following these five steps you can ensure you are properly protected.