Claiming for auto owners insurance is a dreadful undertaking simply because insurance is a product that is purchased yet no one hopes to use in the future. Even if you do not like it, when an accident occurs, you will have to deal with your insurer and its claims department. Therefore, it is important to have an idea how the process goes. The procedure is similar in all cases yet there are slight differences from one insurance company to another. However, the relief you will feel after settlement will be very rewarding and you can start putting the unpleasant car mishap behind you.
Keep in mind that your agent or anyone who represents the insurer is not in the scene of the accident as it occurred. Therefore, it is necessary to feed information to your auto owners insurance company because they will never guess what happened. Do this by securing a complete police report because this is the first one a provider requires even before your claim is given attention. Eye witness accounts and their respective contact information will also prove to be important. List the names down and inform them that your provider just might give them a call. Other information may come as pictures of the damaged car and the accident scene, damage estimates from your personal mechanic and even court records. Have all of these pieces of information ready before contacting your agent.
Even though your agent may not be the best person to take care of your auto owners insurance claim, he is there to direct you to higher authorities who would. Explain the situation to him and he will most likely help you get in touch with a supervisor or even the claims department. You will probably have to talk to a lot of people, but do not lose patience and record the names or ID number for reference & details of conversations as you go along.
There will be some instances that your auto owners insurance claim case will be referred to a mediator. When this happens, it is best to retain the services of an attorney. Your lawyer will help you go through the fine print, legally-wise, so you will not be left in the dark. He will also make sure that you are properly compensated and that you get what you pay for in insurance.
Before an accident happens, though, make sure that you understand the policy and contract you are signing. Claiming can get really laborious and getting slammed with something you did not know from the very beginning is painful, emotionally and financially.
