Your Insurance Claim- Do's and Don'ts

You are scared and confused. This is normal for someone after an automobile accident. Depending on the severity of the accident, the claims process can be complicated and require alot of time. Knowing what you are going to be up against is half of the battle. These steps can help you file an insurance claim to take care of any bodily injuries, as well as damages to you car, truck or motorcycle. Who's insurance company do you file under? Is it necessary to contact your insurance company? What types of coverages do you have that can help you in the claims process?

If you or your passengers were injured, taking care of those injuries should be your first priority. The effects of an automobile accident can linger on your body for years. How you care for yourself immediately following any traffic affident is very important. Contact your insurance company after you have gotten the required medical attention for your injuries.

If there are no injuries, contact your insurance company as soon as possible- even from the scene of the accident. Inform them of everything that you have documented. That includes any pictures you have taken at the scene, police report information and your account of the accident. Provide them the names and contact information of everyone invoolved in the accident, including the driver and any passengers in the other vehicle(s). If you have any witness information, provide that to your insurance company as well. Give them an accurate description of the other party's vehicle, as well as any damages you saw. They may wish to record your conversation, so be as detailed as possible. Do not forget to mention any pains you or your passengers may have had. The insurance company will use ths information to make a preliminary assessment of who they believe is at fault.

If there is no disputing the other party is at fault, it normally takes a few days for their insurance company to accept liability. This is usually because the insurance adjuster assigned to the claim wants to make sure of all of the local rules concerning liability in the area where the accident occurs. It is not unusual to have an insurance adjuster assigned to your claim that is not in the same state as you are. When this occurs, they will sometimes subcontract an impartial adjuster in your area to do the research and investigation relating to your claim. Do not be confused by this. That subcontractor works for the other insurance company and has their best interests at heart. They are hired to keep the insurance company's costs down, and sometimes also investigate if you and your passenger's medical injuries are valid ones.

Do you understand your insurance policy? During the claims process you are able to inquire about specific coverages that your policy may or may not allow. Rental vehicle reimbursement may be available to you, as well as towing coverage. Save all of your receipts from your accident, as many of those expenses may be reimbursed by your insurance company, or the other party's insurance policy if they are proven to be at fault. Be honest with the insurance adjusters at all times. You do not want them to think any part of your claim may be fraudlent. This could, at the very least, result in your claim being denied. At the very worst, you may be in danger of criminal charges if any type of fraudlent behavior is implied on your behalf.

Continue to document everything. It is important that you collect data regarding the dates and times you speak with someone, whether it is over the phone or in person. Be sure to get their name and contact information as well. In the event there is a conflict of what your insurance company will or will not cover, you have accurate information regarding who told you what. In the end, your policy doesnt lie. Make sure to be familiar with what your insurance policy covers before you are involved in a traffic accident. That makes it easier for you to understand what you can be reimbursed for if you have out of pocket expenses.

Save all receipts. This can not be expressed enough. I advise for you to have a file folder or at the very least, a large kraft envelope to keep everything in one place. At the end of the claims process, you may need proof of expenses when it comes to settlement time. Try to stay as organized as possible to avaiod any unecessary confusion. Keep copies of any medical bille, medical copayments paid and prescriptions purchased relating to your car accident. It is also wise to document your mileage to and from hospital and doctor's office visits. Did your injuries require you to hire or pay someone to perform tasks you would normally be able to do on your own? Save proof of payment for that as well. Any vehicle repair receipts, towing expenses and rental car expenses that you had to pay out of pocket may be reimbursed as well if you were not at fault and your insurance doesnt cover it.

Decide if you are going to hire an attorney. Many lawyers will offer you a free consultation and assess the value of your claim for you. Most car accidents can be handled on your own, without lawyer representation. If you have serious injuries as a result of the accident, then hiring an attorney may be your best bet. They can assist in making sure you get paid what your claim is worth. If no serious injuries are involved, you can easily handle the claims process on your own.