At any moment, something unexpected can happen and cause damage to a person or to a piece of property. Insurance companies provide a valuable service to help deal with the financial impact of these unexpected circumstances. Auto insurance is designed to protect the vehicle owner from paying for damage that they cause or expensive repairs to their own vehicle when accidents happen. When it comes to using your auto insurance coverage, filing an insurance claim is the first step.
While there are many reasons why you might need to file an auto insurance claim, the most obvious is when two cars collide. Whether the collision is a relatively minor fender bender or something more serious, it’s important to file a car insurance claim. Otherwise, you take the risk of driving a damaged or - worse yet - unsafe vehicle. Trying to handle the car accident yourself without involving your insurance company might seem tempting, but it often causes even more headaches and out of pocket costs down the road. Even if it seems like just a minor accident that will cost a couple hundred dollars to repair, you never know what other costs might present themselves when you're dealing with the other party directly. For that reason, we strongly recommend using your auto insurance whenever your coverage applies. After all, that's what it's there for!
With the ever-rising cost of healthcare, the injuries sustained in a car accident can have a crippling effect on your bank account. The human body, although resilient, is also fragile. As a result, there can be a wide array of injuries, and some of them may not reveal themselves until days or even weeks after an accident. Taking the proper steps to file an insurance claim can help you make sure your medical bills are covered, relieving the stress associated with paying for healthcare. The party responsible -- or their insurance company--can take care of your medical bills, which will leave you free to focus on your recovery. Note that if you're at fault for the accident and you do not carry medical payments or personal injury protection coverage, your insurance will not provide coverage for any of your personal medical expenses.
Another type of damage that may require you to file a car insurance claim is damage to your windshield. Imagine you are driving on a busy highway and there is a dump truck carrying gravel. If you are driving behind this, look out: there’s a high chance that a piece of gravel may fall out and hit your windshield. If a chip in your windshield is not fixed, the chip may develop into a crack and spread. This compromises the strength and stability of your windshield. Driving with a broken windshield is dangerous and can contribute to an accident. Windshield damage is common and most insurance companies will cover this repair under comprehensive coverage, although you will need to pay your deductible.
If a car is damaged intentionally by scratching the vehicle’s paint, breaking the windows or slashing the tires, these acts are considered vandalism. Other common occurrences include theft of a car and contact with an animal that unwisely decided to cross the road. These circumstances are causes to file a car insurance claim if you carry comprehensive (or "other than collision") coverage. Your car can be repaired or replaced, and your peace of mind can be quickly restored.
If any of these situations come up, it is important to act quickly and work with your insurance company. They will be able to help you fix your damaged property and move on with your life. Here's what you need to know about the insurance claims process.
1. Call your insurance company and let them know that you need to report a new claim, or report your claim online if your insurance company allows it. Most insurance companies have claims professionals that are specifically dedicated to taking new claims, and they will be able to guide you through the reporting process.
2. Cooperate with your insurance company. They will need to investigate the car accident, and the whole process will go much faster if you respond to their requests and provide all the information that you have in a timely manner. If you receive any court summons or lawsuit papers, be sure to let your insurance company know immediately and forward copies of those documents to them. It's critical that you provide any information that your insurance company may need to represent you in court, if the situation arises.
3. Choose the auto body repair shop. If your vehicle has been damaged, it's understandable that you will want to get the ball rolling on repairs. Most insurance companies will provide a list of auto repair shops that have a good reputation and offer guarantees on their work, but you are free to select any shop that you choose. Communicate with the insurance company before you sign any contracts with the shop and before they begin work on the repairs. To avoid surprises that might cause you to pay out of pocket, make sure that you are clear on what the insurance company has agreed to cover and that they have approved your shop's estimate.
4. Keep accurate records of your expenses. Depending on the types of coverage that apply to your accident, you may be able to receive reimbursement for expenses that are directly related to the accident. It is important to keep all documents associated with any of these expenses, and ask the insurance company which ones will be covered. Examples of expenses that might be reimbursable include hospital expenses, lost wages, rental car fees, and hiring a temporary housekeeper while you recover from an accident-related injury.
5. Keep copies of documents on file. It is always a good idea to keep any documentation associated with an auto accident for at least a couple of years following the accident. This includes documentation of the accident itself, any paperwork that you received from the insurance company, and any correspondence with your shop, adjuster, and the other parties involved. These documents may be useful references if the claim ever gets re-opened or you need to prove that your vehicle was repaired.
The first step that the insurance company is going to take is to confirm that your vehicle is actually insured. They will check to make sure that your policy was in force at the time of the accident and that you have the right coverage for the type of accident that you reported. Once that information is confirmed, then your claim will be assigned to a claims adjuster. The adjuster is responsible for assessing the damage and evaluating any settlement amounts.
If you carry the appropriate coverage (usually comprehensive and collision), they will set up an inspection for your vehicle to find out its cost to repair. If the vehicle is not a total loss, you will be able to have it repaired at a shop of your choice. Car insurance companies often work with a network of preferred repair shops, but they cannot force you to select one of their shops. Be aware that insurance companies pay labor costs based on the average rate for your area, so if you choose a shop that charges more you will have to pay the difference out of pocket. If your shop provides a higher estimate for the repair than the one your insurance company got, submit it to your insurance company before authorizing the work so you know what you can expect them to pay.
By knowing exactly what to do when you have an auto insurance claim, you can avoid additional stress. If your car is in an accident, sustained fire or flood damage, vandalism or theft, make your insurance work for you and follow the steps above. Freedom National is ready to do the hard work on your behalf to make sure you get exactly what you deserve. Get more info by calling 1-888-542-4222 or by visiting FreedomNational.com.