Car insurance protects one’s vehicle or person from monetary losses in the event of an automobile accident. When one is involved in a motor vehicle accident a car insurance claim must be filed in order to repair damages or receive payment for medical treatment. Many insurance companies have varying processes pertaining to auto insurance claims. However, most companies abide by general guidelines, methods and practices.
The first step in the event of an accident is to contact your insurance company or agent. If you feel as though you are not responsible for the accident and the other party has insurance, you may file a motorbike accident claim through their insurance company instead. When you first report the vehicle claim you will most likely speak with a call center representative who will take your information and ask you a few general questions about how the accident occurred, damages, and if there are any injuries.
Within about 1-2 business days following the report, a auto accident claims adjuster will contact you to obtain more detailed information. When the claims examiner contacts you, he or she will sometimes ask for a recorded statement as well as in depth information about current damage, any prior damage, current as well prior injuries, and exactly how the loss occurred.
In addition, your representative will review your coverage amounts, deductibles and any other pertinent information with you. Your adjuster will then schedule an appointment for a vehicle estimate. Many companies have preferred shops that they recommend customers take their vehicles to for a quote. However, your insurance company can not mandate you to take your vehicle to a certain place for repairs. Many companies will ask you to bring your vehicle to a preferred auto repair shop to obtain an estimate, but will then allow you to have the repairs done at a place of your choice. If you have made a car accident claim through the other driver’s insurance, they may need to conduct an investigation before they agree to pay for any damages.
Furthermore, if you are unable to drive the car, an insurance adjuster will come to the location of the vehicle to write an estimate. If you are in need of a rental car and have rental coverage on your policy, the claims adjuster will schedule a time for you to pick up a vehicle with a rental shop and will keep track of how many days the car is needed by working with the body shop.
If you sustained any injuries as the result of an accident, a car accident injury claim for automobile damages will pay for medical treatment with a doctor of your choice with reason. This includes hospital and ambulance charges, physical therapy, chiropractic care and any other necessary follow up care. However, there is normally a policy limit that ranges from $5,000 to $50,000. Once this limit is reached, your personal medical insurance will take over.
If you file a claim with your company and the accident was a result of a collision with another vehicle or multiple vehicles, your adjuster may also want to gather information on the other drivers, their speed, damages to their cars, injuries, and if there were any witnesses. This information is used to determine fault in the accident. The adjuster will then conduct an investigation by reviewing the police report, witness statements, your statement, as well as the other driver’s statements.
Regardless of who is at fault, your insurance company will always pay for your damages as long as your coverage was in place at the time of the accident. However, if your car insurance determines that the other driver was the responsible party, they can attempt to recover any monies paid from the other party or their insurance company. This includes the deductible that you may have to pay.
However, if you are determined to be the cause of the accident, your company is also liable for repairing the other party’s vehicle or providing payment for any medical care that was a result of the loss. If you are the responsible party, your insurance rates will most likely go up. The increase in premium will depend on how much money is paid out on the claim. For example, if the damages paid are less than $1,000.00 then your premium may increase only a $100.00 over a six month period. On the other hand, if the company has to pay a large amount of damages, then your premium may double in cost. The rise in cost is dependant upon the company as well as monies paid and can vary greatly.
It is important to remember to file a car insurance claim as soon as an accident occurs. In addition, it is crucial to be open, honest, and reasonable. These steps will ensure that your car is repaired and and your claim runs smoothly.
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