If you are part of a motor vehicle accident you’ll want to immediately turn your attention to your health and well-being, as this is the most important thing at that time.
Once you know your injuries and have a treatment plan in place, you can then turn your focus to the process of making an insurance claim. While this sounds simple enough, especially if you have a good relationship with your insurance company, don’t assume that everything will go as planned.
Remember this: Your insurance agent is not necessarily on your side. Even if you have a long-standing relationship, he or she is always going to look out for their best interest.
Here are some things to do in regard to making a car insurance claim after a crash:
- Contact your agent as soon as possible, however, you shouldn’t feel pressured into answering any questions until you’re ready to do so
- Review your policy to better understand your coverage
- Take notes of every conversation you have with your agent and any other insurance company representative
- Organize any information that will work in your favor in the future, such as pictures of the accident scene and your injuries
- Be honest with your insurance company at all times, as a lie will only complicate your situation further
- Don’t assume that the first offer from your insurance company is the best offer
- Keep receipts associated with any losses in connection with your accident, such as those for medical bills and a rental car
Making a car insurance claim after a crash is never easy, especially if you are dealing with a variety of injuries. While you want to put your trust in your agent, you know that doing so could lead you down the wrong path.
As you learn more about your insurance policy and legal rights, things will start to come together. You’ll get a better feel for what you should be doing, how to push forward and the mistakes you need to avoid. In the end, the only thing that matters is that you protect yourself and obtain the compensation you deserve as outlined by your policy.