Insurance Recovery Lawyer
Car insurance is an important thing to have because it covers the costs of vehicle repairs and medical bills in the events of accidents. Without it, you are responsible for paying these costs out of your own pocket. However, if you ever do get into an accident with another vehicle, you must file your claim correctly to receive payment. Otherwise, your claim could get denied.
Here are some mistakes to avoid when filing a car insurance claim:
Waiting Too Long to Notify Your Insurance Company
Don’t wait weeks or even days to let your insurance company know that you’ve been in an accident. Ideally, you’ll want to call them as soon as you get home. Claims are easier to adjust when the accident have just occurred because the evidence is new. If you wait too long to tell your insurer, there may not be enough evidence left.
Not Contacting the Police
If the car accident resulted in physical injuries or property damage that exceeds a certain dollar amount, you are required to call the police. They will come to the scene of the accident and file a police report If you don’t do this, your insurance company may deny your claim. Additionally, a police report can help verify facts related to the accident and improve the strength of your claim. Make sure to ask for a copy of the report.
Admitting You Were At Fault
Even if you think you were partially at fault for the car accident, you should never admit this. The cause of the accident may be very different from what you think and you don’t want to admit fault for no reason. If you tell anyone that you were at fault for the accident, your insurance company may deny coverage for your claim. It’s best just to stay quiet.
Failing to Get Sufficient Documentation
In order to for your insurance company to cover your losses, you must provide detailed documentation. It’s important to take several photos of the accident scene, get a copy of the police report and write down everything you remember from the accident as soon as possible. If you wait too long to write down the details of the accident, your memories could fade. If you don’t have enough documentation, your claim could get denied.
Not Getting Immediate Medical Care
Many people feel perfectly fine after a car accident. However, that doesn’t mean they’re not injured. Symptoms might not show up for days or weeks after the accident. That’s why it’s important to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. If you delay medical care, you aren’t just putting your health at risk. You’re also giving your insurance company a reason to deny your claim.
If you avoid making these mistakes, you will have a better chance of getting your claim approved. However, if your insurance company has denied your car insurance claim, speak to an insurance recovery lawyer about your options.