Despite the fact that you pay for car insurance every month, it goes without saying that you never want to file a claim. If you find yourself in this position, it means something has gone wrong on the road, such as being involved in an accident.
It may not be the ideal situation, but if you need to file a car insurance claim it’s imperative to take all the right steps at the right time. Here are some of the many things you need to do:
- Call your agent as soon as possible, as this gives you the opportunity to provide basic information on what went wrong
- Review your policy to get a better idea of what it offers in regard to coverage
- Take notes of every conversation you have with your agent and any other insurance company representative (this should include names, dates, times and what you spoke about)
- Think about whether you have coverage under another type of policy, such as an umbrella policy
- Take pictures of the accident scene and your injuries (if you feel well enough to do so)
- Be honest with your insurance company, but don’t feel that you have to share too much information with them
- Stick to the facts and only the facts, as stretching the truth will cause more harm than good
- Keep receipts and bills of all expenses associated with your accident, such as those for medical treatment
Making a car insurance claim should be a simple process, but this doesn’t always hold true. There are times when challenges arise, such as an insurance company that doesn’t want to provide you with the compensation you deserve.
Here’s what you need to remember: You have the right to file a claim and receive benefits based on the policy you’ve been paying for. There is no reason for you to let your insurance company off the hook.
If you run into any issues when filing a car insurance claim you should review your policy and learn more about your legal rights. You have a lot going on with your health, but you still need to protect your rights as a policyholder.