A vehicle collision insurance claim usually commences with an accident. If you are involved in a car accident, there are some very important things you should do at the collision scene to the extent you can. At the first opportunity, you should report the crash with your insurance company and begin the procedure of filing a claim. After you have submitted your claim, an employee will either call, write or email you with regard to your claim. She will then look at your insurance contract to determine the types of coverage you have, deductibles, and any coverage limits that may affect your claim.
If your claim is simple, the agent may have you get an estimate for repairs and then send you a check. You will have to fill out some forms, but you may not have to see the representative face to face. If your claim is more difficult, then the negotiation process will take additional effort.
In relatively irregular injury collision claims, adjusters typically must do some inquiry in order to sufficiently verify the insurance company’s liability. The representative will comb through your contract and possibly contact witnesses to the accident, the other party to the crash, look at the police report if there is one, take photographs of the damages and scene of the crash and generally investigate your medical records by sending out requests to your medical professionals for information regarding your treatment. If you are seeking to have medical bills compensated, the agent will send you a medical authorization form for the release of your medical information.
Once the employee of the insurance company has researched your claim and looked at your agreement, he or she will typically send you a settlement offer. The settlement offer will tell you what the insurance company is willing to pay on your claim. This starting offer is likely on the low side. After all, the adjuster’s intention is to save his or her employer money. But the adjuster also wants to close a claim and thus is usually permitted a settlement range that offers room for movement.
If you are certain about how much you think your claim is worth, you can preempt the adjuster’s settlement offer with your own settlement letter. Your proposal would outline fault, injuries and ask for a clear amount to settle your claim.
If you’ve already got an opening offer from the insurance company, keep in mind that first offers for settlement are almost always on the low side. Then, unless you’re willing to go with that opening offer without an negotiation, you will ultimately need to negotiate with the agency for a higher amount.
If your insurance claim is turned down in whole or in part, there could be many appropriate and objective reasons. Most have to do with limits in your policy. You can check the turn down letter against your contract to see if the denial seems appropriate or not. If you still think your claim was unfairly rejected, don’t wait too long to take action. If you sit on your claim for too long, you may lose the right to sue in court to get your recovery. Discuss your scenario with an auto injury attorney who will be able to assist you.
If you’ve been the victim of a serious car accident in Baltimore, you need the advice of an experienced Maryland accident lawyer. Talk to a local Maryland accident lawyer about your options.