6 Things Smart Policyholders Do When Claiming Auto Insurance

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Auto insurance is perhaps one of the most important financial tools used in and around the United States these days. Apart from the obvious legal reasons that could easily earn you a ticket, a hefty fine or possible jail time if you're caught driving without one, auto insurance is simply smart planning in action that can help protect you and your family from expensive, sometimes devastating surprises on the road.

With everything going digital in this day and age, zeroing in on superb auto insurance is as easy as a touch of a button. However, the real challenge comes when you get involved in a traffic mishap and it is time to claim against the auto insurance policy you've signed up for. Claiming insurance is in fact a very tedious process and not something that can be rushed. If you're looking to learn how to claim auto insurance the right way, you've definitely come to the right place. Here are the 6 things smart policyholders do when claiming auto insurance:

The earlier, the better. Should you get involved in a vehicular accident, it is very important to contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Call 911 if someone has a life-threatening injury. If there's no emergency, make sure you call the police directly. Remember, you need that police report to verify your insurance claim.

Know your enemy, er, the other party to the accident. Keep in mind to exchange license plate numbers, contact information and auto insurance details with the other party involved. Most states require drivers to have an insurance identification card in the vehicle and it will provide most of the pertinent data you need. Make sure you get phone numbers while at it.

To file or not to file? It is crucial to keep your insurance record clean and one way to do just that is deciding whether or not you should file a claim. It doesn’t matter if the accident is your fault or the other person’s. You should ask yourself first if you can pay for the damage out of your own pocket. Simply put, if you can pay for it yourself without putting a sizable dent on your bank account, don’t file the claim.

Expect a ring or two. You may get a call from the other driver’s insurance company asking for your version of what happened at the accident scene. This usually happens if there is a dispute between the two parties in the accident. Just relax and try to answer each question as collected as you can. Make sure you get the insurance agent's name on the other line and document everything you say, too.

Consult a legal expert. To get auto insurance claims settled in the best way possible, it is recommended to seek assistance from an experienced lawyer. Nothing beats having a lawyer by your side to translate the fine print in insurance deals that can be quite confusing at times and can delay your claim as well.

Patience is a virtue. If you think your carrier's damage settlement offer is too low, you may ask your carrier for a form of arbitration to resolve the dispute. This process may take a couple of weeks or more but generally speaking, you will not have to wait for payment. In most cases, the insurance company will pay you the amount it offered immediately and you'll get the rest when and if the dispute is resolved in your favor.

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