Monday, August 11, 2014

Vehicle Collision Claims Processing

Many drivers will experience an auto collision with more than 250 million vehicles on the road in America. Unfortunately, few people understand the process of filing an insurance claim and following it through to settlement. Here are a few tips to help you better understand the auto insurance claims process.

Starting the Process

Contact your insurance agent or carrier as a first step after a collision; this assumes that no one is hurt, and that you contact the necessary authorities to file a report. Your insurance carrier will dispatch an adjuster to inspect your vehicle and work up a repair estimate based on the damage. In a perfect world, your insurance carrier would then send you a check to complete the repairs. But then that would be a mistake.

Filing an Auto Accident Insurance Claim

To file a claim, collect all relevant information prior to contacting your insurer. You will need items like your insurance policy number, the police report number and all information on others involved in the accident, including names, dates of birth, addresses, phone numbers and their insurance information. If there were witnesses, have their contact information available as well. Your insurance company may record a statement from you by phone. Take good notes, keep all information and paperwork in a safe place and take your own detailed photos relevant to the collision.

Don't Cash the Check

If your insurance company wants to send you a check prior to the work being done, tell them to wait. If a check is sent, don't cash it. When you cash the check from the insurance company, they are essentially off the hook for any damage that is not initially visible. A collision can bend an automotive frame, take your car out of alignment, and involve much more once the auto body shop starts the repairs.

Collision Damage Repair and Insurance

Getting an auto insurance settlement may not be simple, depending on the circumstances. Settlements take time or may become drawn out as more insurance companies seek reasons to deny claims. There is, however, one way to get the most from your auto insurance claim in the shortest amount of time, with the least amount of work.

Before taking your vehicle for repair - or even before you file an insurance claim - find a local collision damage repair shop able to process your claim. Many auto body shops specialize in processing claims, which offers several distinct advantages. First, you are spared the hassle of dealing directly with the insurance carrier. More importantly, insurance claims specialists at many repair shops have years of experience and know exactly what your insurance carrier needs to process your claim quickly.

A local body shop can work up a written estimate and submit it to the insurance carrier for authorization on your behalf. The insurer can issue a check directly to the auto body shop rather than to you. In no time at all, your car will be repaired and back on the road. Now that's a win-win situation for all parties concerned.

Albert Westbrook enjoys writing on all types of topics. For superb auto body repair, contact Dent Master in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Albert_Westbrook

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8655842