We are on the cusp of spring and the wintry driving conditions are just about over. But there is always that one last snowfall that catches us by surprise and wreaks havoc on our morning commutes and daily activities. Many auto accidents happen during these last few weeks of winter and auto body repair shops continue to stay busy. But what do you do if your car insurance company refuses to pay some of the costs that you feel they should pay? Here are some tips and suggestions to help you through the situation.
Do Not Expect the KBB Price
Auto insurance companies do not always go by the Kelley Blue Book price or even the value that the National Association of Automobile Dealers provide when determining your car’s value. They often have their own software and values that they use based on a variety of factors when determining how much to pay for covered repairs and expenses.
Keep Records
One of the reasons insurance companies refuse to pay the KBB or any other recognized value for your vehicle is because they assume it is worth less than those figures since you probably did not maintain your vehicle properly. Make sure you keep all your maintenance records for any type of procedure done on your vehicle so you can show these figures to your auto insurance company if they try to pay less than what you think the damage is worth.
Get Gap Insurance
Gap insurance pays the difference between how much the insurance company actually pays out and the actual amount of the damage. This is often an inexpensive policy and a great way to cover yourself in case something like this happens.
Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.
| Post by
Filing an auto insurance claim may seem dreadful at first, but it is actually your right to do so after paying your premiums for all those years. However, there are some things you should consider before making that phone call to your insurance company and some proper steps to follow if you decide to file that claim.
1. Decide if you should file the claim. When you call your insurance company simply to ask a question about filing a claim, your question is often recorded in your file for future reference. This can be a ding on your insurance report and it can cause your rates to go up whether the accident is your fault or not. If you can pay for the damage without causing financial hardship to yourself, it is better to pay for it without ever contacting your insurance company.
2. Document everything about the damage. Make sure you have a written record of when and where the accident happened and the reason for it. A police report is ideal. Also, if it is possible, ask witnesses who are willing to speak with your insurance representative if needed.
3. File your claim as soon as possible. Waiting too long to file your claim is a bad idea because details get fuzzy and your car could incur further damage that will not be covered if it is a result of not getting it fixed right away.
4. Prepare to talk to the other driver’s insurance company. When disputes arise, the other driver’s insurance company may call you to ask about your version of the accident. This is not ordinary, but it does occur from time to time. Make sure you tell them exactly what happened and get the name of the agent you speak with for future reference.
These are just a few things to remember when filing an auto insurance claim. Whether you were involved in a major accident that requires a great deal of auto body repair or a minor fender bender, these tips will help you get through the process.
Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.
| Post by