If your car has been damaged in a motor accident, what you do next and how you handle your insurance claim will likely determine how successful it is. Here are some tips to help your claim proceed as smoothly as possible so that you get paid what you’re entitled to with a minimum of fuss.
1: Write down what happened as soon as you can, so that your account is accurate. A precise report of the accident or incident will help your insurance company to work quickly.
2: Take photos of the scene, the damage, and any injuries. If you have a mobile phone or digital camera with you, be sure to document the circumstances with photographs. They’ll be a valuable addition to the insurance report alongside your written statement.
Even better would be if you had video footage from your car itself. Many vehicles can have cameras mounted on them to film everything that occurs on the road, specifically for circumstances like these.
If your car has a camera of this type installed, seek instructions on how to access the footage and the data relating to the accident from within the device. For example, for certain cameras on Renault vehicles, you can use the instructions outlined on lisandru.eu.
3: Determine whether you need to call the police. You should contact them to make a report under the following circumstances:
– if your car has been stolen
– if your car has been broken into
– if your car has been maliciously damaged
– if someone has been injured as a result of the accident
– if you believe an illegal act has taken place
4: Inform your insurance company as soon as possible after the damage occurs. If your insurer has a 24-hour helpline, use it to report your accident, then follow up with a written claim.
5: When you contact the insurance company after your accident, ask the company representative to outline the exact steps you will need to take in order to file a claim for coverage. Then, be sure to follow the instructions to the letter.
6: If you’re entitled to a courtesy car, make sure you confirm with your insurance company what you are and are not entitled to do with it.
7: If you’re not entitled to a courtesy car, you may still be entitled to claim for travel expenses incurred during the time that you are without your car.
Your insurance company will cover ‘reasonable expenses’, which generally means costs incurred for travelling by the cheapest available means. Usually, if you keep your claims for travel expenses reasonable, they are more likely to be covered.
8: Be honest in your claim form. One of the biggest reasons that claims are denied is that the claimant falsified information.
9: Do not have any repair work done to your vehicle until your insurer agrees to pay for it! Then, check with the insurer to see if they have any recommended repair shops in your area; shops that work regularly with your insurer will often have special arrangements to get the work done quickly and efficiently.
10: Be sure to get an official receipt for any work done to your car. In most cases, you’ll be required to submit a receipt with your claim form in order to have it paid or reimbursed.
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is never fun, but by following these simple tips, you can make your experience far easier, less complicated, and more likely to result in a successful insurance claim!