You never want to be part of a car accident, but there is no way of knowing what the future will bring. Even if you follow the rules of the road, another driver could make a mistake that causes a crash.
If you are part of an accident in the future, your health is top priority. Immediately following the crash, check yourself for injuries. If something is wrong, don’t move. Call 911 and wait for police and an ambulance to arrive.
At some point, you’ll need to communicate the details of the accident to your car insurance company. Making a claim sounds straightforward, but there are mistakes you must avoid at all costs. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Call your agent as soon as possible to discuss the facts and only the facts
- Review your policy so you know what to expect when speaking with your car insurance company
- Take notes of all conversations with insurance representatives, including your agent and adjusters
- Take photos of the damage and any injuries
- Keep receipts associated with your losses
Along with the above, you need to remember one thing: Your car insurance company has a contract with you. You pay for coverage, so you should expect your insurer to live up to its end of the bargain if you need to make a claim.
It’s not uncommon for a car insurance company to throw out a low ball offer, hoping that you accept in an attempt to make the situation go away as quickly as possible.
You must stick to your guns to ensure that you obtain the benefits as outlined in your policy. If you do this, you’ll feel better about what the future will bring.
There’s nothing simple about dealing with the aftermath of a car accident, but knowing how to deal with your insurance company can most definitely make life easier. When you combine knowledge of your policy with your legal rights, you can be confident that you’ll get what you deserve.