What you should and shouldn’t do when handling your car insurance claim.
After an accident, most drivers are unsure about accessing their auto insurance in Carrollton, Texas. While filing a claim might seem like a scary process, it’s actually very straightforward so long as you know what you should and shouldn’t do. To ensure that your claim proceeds smoothly, here are some of the do and don’ts of auto insurance claims.
- DO: Take Pictures and Save Receipts
Taking pictures of your car’s damage as well as the location where the accident took place will be a major help to your claim. If you need to tow your car, rent a car, or make other purchases related to the claim, then make sure that you save these receipts as your insurance might cover these costs. Presenting photo evidence along with purchase receipts will help speed up your claims process while simultaneously ensuring that you get all the coverage you need.
- DO: Know What You Owe on Your Car
If you have a loan out on your car, then you need to know how much you still owe on the vehicle. If your car is a total loss, then your auto insurance will probably only cover the cash value of your car at the time of the accident. Your insurer will prioritize paying your lender first. So, if the amount you owe exceeds the car’s actual value, then you may be forced to pay the remaining loan amount out of pocket. Knowing this information ahead of time can help you prepare.
- DON’T: Attempt to Forgo Insurance
After being involved in an accident, many drivers attempt to settle accident costs between themselves without getting their insurance involved. However, doing this is risky. Oftentimes, car damages are worse than they seem, and the money that the other driver gave you for repairs might not be enough. At this point, it would be too late to file a claim with your insurer, so you would be forced to cover repair costs on your own. Additionally, if you suffer latent injuries that you discovered long after you and the other driver exchanged money, then there’s no way to get your medical bills covered. Again, you would be left paying for these expenses out-of-pocket.
- DON’T: Wait to Call Your Insurer
It’s important to call your insurer and file your claim as soon as possible. This ensures that you can remember and share the details of the accident with your claims adjuster accurately. Additionally, most auto insurance policies include a clause that requires car owners to report claims “promptly.” Usually, this means reporting claims within 24-hours of the incident or risking loss of coverage.
These are some of the things that you should and shouldn’t do when handling a car insurance claim. Do you have additional questions about your auto insurance in Carrollton, Texas? If so, then contact the experts at Mike Leonard Insurance Agency. Our dedicated team is eager to find you the right coverage from one of our many carriers including: Kemper, MetLife, Nationwide, Travelers, The Hartford, Safeco Insurance, Progressive, and American Strategic Insurance.