One of the biggest headaches after a car accident is properly getting your vehicle repaired of all the damages. In this article, we will look at a typical car insurance claim process. The different types of insurance coverage as it pertains to accidents . What to do if the insurance company offers less than the entire repair cost.
Typical insurance claim after a car accident
The insurance claim process typically starts when the policyholder files a claim with their insurance company. The policyholder can either file the claim online, over the phone, or via email. After claiming the file, the insurance company assigns an adjuster to investigate the claim and assess the damages. The adjuster may contact the policyholder to get more information about the claim. They may also inspect the damage in-person.
The adjuster then submits a report to the insurance company. They outline the damage and the estimated cost of repair or replacement. Based on the report, the insurance company may approve the claim. Upon approval, they issue a payment to the policyholder. They may deny the claim if it falls outside the scope of the policy.
Upon claim approval, the policyholder will receive the payment to cover the cost of repairs or replacement. However, with claim denial the policyholder has the option to appeal or seek legal advice.
What does a car insurance policy cover?
A car insurance policy covers a variety of expenses in the event of an accident, theft, or other unforeseen event. The specific coverages included in your policy will vary depending on the insurance company and the type of policy you purchase. However, some of the most common coverages include:
- Liability coverage: This coverage pays for damages that you cause to other people or property in an accident.
- Collision coverage: This coverage pays for the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle.
- Comprehensive coverage: This coverage pays for the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle.
- Medical payments coverage: This coverage pays for the medical expenses of you and your passengers.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: This coverage pays for the cost of your medical expenses and property damage when involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
In addition to these basic coverages, there are a number of other optional coverages that you may be able to add to your policy. These coverages may include things like rental car reimbursement, towing and roadside assistance, and gap insurance.
How much will the insurance company offer?
Car insurance companies determine payment for accidents based on a number of factors, including:
- The terms of the insurance policy. The specific coverages that are included in your policy will determine how much your insurance company will pay out in the event of an accident.
- The amount of damage to the vehicles involved. The cost of repairing or replacing the vehicles involved in an accident will be a major factor in determining the amount of payment.
- The severity of the injuries. The severity of any injuries sustained in an accident will also be a factor in determining the amount of payment.
- The amount of liability. The amount of liability that each driver involved in an accident bears will also be a factor in determining the amount of payment.
In general, car insurance companies will pay out the least amount of money that they can in the event of an accident. However, they are also obligated to pay out the amount that is owed under the terms of the insurance policy.
The insurance company "totaled" my car. Now what?
If your car insurance company totals your vehicle, it means that the cost of repairing the damage is more than the value of the car. In this case, you will have a few options:
- Accept the insurance company’s offer and get a new car. This is the simplest option, and it will likely be the quickest way to get a new car. The insurance company will pay you the value of your car, minus your deductible. You can then use this money to buy a new car.
- Negotiate with the insurance company for a higher settlement. If you believe that the insurance company’s offer is too low, you can try to negotiate for a higher settlement. You may be able to do this by providing the insurance company with more information about the value of your car, such as recent sales of similar vehicles in your area.
- Decline the insurance company’s offer and repair the car yourself. If you believe that the car is worth more than the insurance company is offering, you can decline the offer and repair the car yourself. However, you should be aware that this may be a costly and time-consuming process.
- File a lawsuit against the insurance company. If you are not satisfied with the insurance company’s offer, you can file a lawsuit against them. However, this is a complex and time-consuming process, and it is not always successful.
If your car is totaled, it is important to speak with Attorney Javier Marcos to discuss your options. He can help you understand your rights and can represent you in negotiations with the insurance company.
