After a car accident, you’ll have so much on your mind that it’s easy to make a mistake you’ll regret. For example, if you don’t tackle the car insurance claim process in the appropriate manner, it could result in additional stress and confusion, as well as missing out on money that is owed to you.
It sounds simple enough to contact your agent to file a car insurance claim, but that’s not always the case. Here are some of the things you need to avoid:
- Giving a recorded statement: Don’t agree to a recorded statement until you speak with an attorney to ensure that you understand your situation and legal rights. Just the same, don’t provide a written statement. It’s okay to start the claims process, but you don’t want to provide too much information early on.
- Don’t accept the initial offer: Your insurance company hopes that you accept the initial offer, as this brings the process to an end. And more times than not, they offered you less money than you actually deserve. So, rather than accept the initial offer, reject it to keep your options open. This will show the insurance company that you have every intention of receiving all the compensation that’s owed to you.
- Trusting your agent: Even if you have a good relationship and have trusted your agent to provide you with comprehensive coverage for many years, it doesn’t mean you can put all your trust in them after an accident. It’s at this point you may realize that your agent is no longer on your side.
- Don’t sign anything: Just the same as making a statement, your insurance company may ask you to sign a variety of documents, such as a release form, after your accident and as the claims process begins. Even if you’ve read through everything, it’s possible that you don’t understand exactly what you’re signing.
You buy car insurance with the idea that it will protect you in the event of an accident. So, make sure you receive your policy in full before you file a claim. Doing this will put you on the right path to protecting your legal rights and obtaining compensation for your injuries and other damages.
