Most insurance companies want you to believe that they are on your side right from the get-go. Although, when the time comes that you need to claim, your insurer may attempt to use tactics to coerce you into accepting a lower than fair settlement. Fortunately, with the proper knowledge and approach, there are several smart ways that you can get the most for your insurance claim after an accident.
Being involved in a car accident can leave you with numerous bills that often range from vehicle damages to lost wages and pricey medical bills. And because you pay your car insurance premium religiously each month, you should take measures to ensure you get a payout that covers your damages. You can find out more about various insurance policies at HelpAdvisor.com and consider these smart ways of claiming from your insurer if you have been involved in a collision.
1. Hire an Accident Lawyer
Even though you may feel a lawyer isn’t necessary as you pay your premium each month and the accident wasn’t your fault, hiring an accident lawyer is one of the most effective ways to boost your payout to the maximum. A professional accident lawyer will know just how to handle your claim and approach your insurer. Furthermore, you can also include your legal fees as a cost that occurred from the accident and reclaim your costs, so hiring a lawyer won’t set you back financially.
2. Gather Solid Evidence
You will need to give your insurer valid evidence that you were involved in a car accident. And this evidence can vary from medical bills that include second opinions to photographs of your vehicle damages and police reports. When filing any insurance claim, the more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be, so the more you detail your costs with invoices, receipts, and photographs, the higher your chances are of a maximum payout.
3. Never Accept the First Offer
The first offer from your insurance company will likely be lower than what you hope for. Unfortunately, many accident victims settle for the first offer assuming that their insurer won’t be open to negotiations. However, you can and should reject the first offer and send back a counterclaim that details your actual costs. Even if you feel the settlement is urgent as you need to cover your damages, you should negotiate your claim for a larger payout.
4. Say as Little as Possible
Because your insurer wants to pay out as little as possible or have the right to reject your claim entirely, they will look for any reason to do so. As a result, you should say as little as possible and have any means of communications recorded. Saying one wrong thing can be considered an admission of liability, so instead, let your accident lawyer handle the communication to avoid putting your claim in jeopardy.
Claiming for a road accident can be a lengthy and tiresome process, mainly because the impacts of the accident may affect your everyday life. While insurers may be reluctant to pay you a fair amount, smart tactics can ensure the outcome of your claim is in your financial favor.