Regardless of how safe of a driver you are, there are bound to be accidents on the road due to other drivers overspeeding or being reckless with their cars. A car insurance policy will come to your rescue in situations like these.
It will help protect your finances so that you don’t have to pay any expenses. Thus, what a car insurance claim does is that it reimburses or pays directly for all the repairs required. However, you can’t trust your car insurance provider blindly and still need to be aware of the dos and don’ts of making an insurance claim.
In this blog, you will get a clear insight into the dos and don’ts of making a car insurance claim, so let’s get right to it.
Dos of a Car Insurance Claim
As a car owner, you need to be aware of the following:
Do Report the Accident Straightaway
It is your legal duty to report any car accidents that result in the following:
- On the spot death
- Serious property damage
- Severe body injury
As the police arrive, you must provide them with trust facts as they happened. It will give them a clear idea of what went wrong and who the at-fault party was. Failure to do so can result in legal complications.
Do Seek Medical Assistance as Required
In a car accident, severe mental and physical injuries, such as broken bones, trauma, etc., will require immediate medical assistance. You should call up an ambulance immediately for yourself or the other party.
Do Start Collecting Information
The accident scene is the most crucial spot that will be examined thoroughly by the police when they arrive. Thus, you must begin your work from the moment you can. It is best to start by noting the number of the other vehicle, their driver’s license, and other information regarding the individual. You must also collect the numbers and names of eyewitnesses.
Do Take Pictures of Everything in Sight
Accident scenes tend to be cleaned (mostly when blood is involved). Thus, you might only get a few minutes to preserve information as it is before you file a car insurance claim. So, you must take pictures of the following:
- The complete accident scene
- The other vehicle involved in the accident
- The individual involved in the accident
- All broken parts of the vehicle
- Evidence of physical injuries
- If some skids or screeches indicate speed limits were crossed
- Cross streets
Do Review Your Car Insurance Coverage
It is one of the most important things to do on the spot. You must be sure your insurance provider is offering you the required coverage. Read the coverage and exclusions carefully and see how much damage they’ll pay for. Once you understand, you can file a car insurance claim.
Do Keep with Your All the Receipts
It is best to keep all the receipts of the expenses incurred on the day of the accident and after that since you might need them at any given point to get your money reimbursed. You must make a file of the following:
- Lost wages (if any)
- Medical expenses
- Costs of repairing the vehicle
- Mental consultation/ distress
- Medical treatment plan (for future)
- Agony and distress
All the expenses incurred by you need to be recorded as they will help you get your money back.
Don’ts of a Car Insurance Claim
There is a few don’ts of a car insurance claim that you need to keep in mind:
Don’t Exaggerate; Speak Facts
Yes, you were involved in the accident, but you might exaggerate things a little in the heat of the moment. Take a deep breath, calm down, and speak only the truth. Don’t voice your opinions or what you thought happened. Only say what you saw and experienced. Answer all questions asked by the police officers truthfully.
Don’t Admit Your Fault
Since you have just undergone an accident, you might tend to misjudge what happened. Admitting your fault will cause trouble for you, primarily when you are not. There are several factors involved that the police will assess, and then a conclusion will be passed. You must allow the professionals to do their job and just speak facts.
Don’t Speak to The Other Driver
Since you have been in an accident, you and the other driver will not be the friendliest with each. Thus, it is best to avoid all forms of communication with them and only leave that to the police. The worst thing to do would be to try and negotiate with the other party.
Don’t Make Claims Without Reviewing Your Car Insurance Coverage
You cannot say anything unless you have read your car insurance coverage thoroughly. Also, be sure not to make any written or verbal commitments you can’t keep.
Don’t Sign a Settlement
Don’t take legal matters into your own hands; speak to your lawyer first. They will help settle things between you and the other driver and work towards getting you the compensation you deserve.
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