Posts Tagged ‘car insurance claim’

Understanding How Many Adjusters Work on Each Car Insurance Claim

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

If you’ve ever tried to file an insurance claim for an automobile accident, you’re familiar with how confusing it can be. The process of filing paperwork, negotiating with insurers, and assessing damages drives people to seek assistance from professional claims adjusters. Understanding how many adjusters are going to be working on your claim can help you get the maximum return out of an unfortunate incident.

A car insurance agency has its own adjusters who will come to your side, but there are other options available for the resolution of your insurance issues. If you decide to go with the car insurance company’s adjusters, your claim may be estimated by a single adjuster who determines how much money your policy will pay out in the form of a handy check. If the adjuster decides that your car is totaled past the point of rescue or repair, the adjuster simply calculates the amount of compensation you’ll receive based on your old vehicle’s pre-accident value. In case of personal injury auto insurance claims, you can expect a car insurance agency to assign a single adjuster, who may visit you or simply contact you via phone or email.

Another possibility is that no adjusters will deal with your claim except in review. With companies that provide low rate car insurance online, you may find that they have a direct repair program. With direct repair, your carrier will send you to a shop that has a specific agreement with them, so they can get started on repairs right away. In this case, the insurance company will simply transmit the check to the mechanic’s shop. Affordable car insurance quotes online have many extra features that you should check before you start a new policy; direct repair and estimated claims are among those that can help make things a bit easier on your end.

If you decide to hire your own adjuster, make sure that they are certified to work in your state or locality, and realize that they are going to be your single point of contact for negotiation. Car insurance claims can be a major hassle, but with the right adjuster and the best providers of car insurance online, you can work through the paperwork and collect an amount that doesn’t leave you wondering why you pay for insurance in the first place. The best affordable car insurance quotes aren’t only low, but also have specific extras that will accommodate you in the future, saving you money on repairs and injury compensations as well as on initial premiums and associated fees. A bit of research can prove to be extremely fruitful in the end.

Easy Steps to Filing an Auto Insurance Claim

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

In the past, filing an auto insurance claim was a long, tedious process filled with mountains of paperwork and grilling interviews with auto insurance agents. Today, thanks to the advent of online auto insurance and other technology, filing an auto insurance claim is an easy, hassle-free process. If you are ever need to file an auto insurance claim, here are the quick and easy steps:

Cost Comparison: Before filing an auto insurance claim, determine if it is cost-effective to do so. If the size of your deductible is more than the actual repairs to the vehicle, then it makes no sense to file a claim, as you will not be recouping any of the costs. If the cost of repairs is slightly more than the deductible, do not file a claim, as it will simply be a blemish on your record and likely increase your premium. However, if the cost of damage is considerably more than your deductible, file an insurance claim as soon as possible.
Submit the Claim Immediately: After determining if it is cost-effective to file an insurance claim, call your auto insurance company or fill out the claim online. The online auto insurance company will begin the necessary proceedings right away. This will help protect you financially and legally, with the online auto insurance company working on your behalf. Filing a claim is easy, and depending on which online auto insurance company you use, the process will vary. However as we mentioned, many claims can now be done online or via a phone call. An agent will likely start investigating the claim within twenty-four hours, and may visit you in person to see the extent of the damages.
Guard Yourself: If the accident is with another party, be prepared for a visit or a call from the other person’s insurance company. They will want to get your version of events. Depending on the severity of the accident, you may want to consult an attorney before speaking with the other insurance company. When you do speak with them, give just the facts and do not divulge any unnecessary information. Also, keep a record of exactly what you tell them, or record the call.
Repairing the Vehicle: Once your claim is approved, an insurance adjuster may visit you to see the extent of the damages, if they have not already done so. They may also want to see bids from repair shops. Some companies have pre-approved service centers that must perform the work, but many companies allow you to get the repairs done at the mechanic of your choice. Again, this depends on which online auto insurance company you are using.

When looking for online car insurance, you may want to inquire about the claims process with the company. Also research their customer service records and see how past consumers feel about their claims process. This will give you a good sense of the company, its credibility, and its willingness to assist its customers. You can find many reputable, nationwide online auto insurance companies at CarInsuranceQuotes.com.