Anyone that has purchased an insurance policy has acquired the right to enjoy an important advantage. That advantage relates to the policyholder’s potential chance to file an insurance claim.
Features of process used to file an insurance claim
In order to take full advantage of any chance to file a claim, the smart policyholder initiates the claim-filing process no more than 72 hours after a specific accident. In most situations, the decision to proceed with the claim-filing process remains an option. In some situations, however, the readiness to file becomes a necessity. For instance, any insured driver that has been involved in a car accident must report that same incident, unless it did not cause damage to a great deal of property, or cause some severe injuries.
Homeowners that have purchased homeowner’s insurance could also face a situation that should compel them to report an accident. That would be the case if a guest got injured in the policyholder’s home.
Questions to ask before filing a claim:
Does this situation seem like one that would satisfy the terms that were stated in my insurance policy? Is it one for which the proper response would entail claim filing?
Is it possible that someone might file a claim against me, as a result of this particular situation? Do I need to warn my insurance company about that possibility?
Advice for any policyholder that has answered “yes” to one of the 2 questions listed above
Stand ready to furnish your own insurance company with all of the details, concerning the accident that you are reporting. Where did it take place? When did it take place? Were there any witnesses?
Normally, a representative from the insurance company will pose questions, in order to obtain all the needed information. Cooperate with any representative that works for your own insurer. Still, do not hesitate to add information. For instance, if you have reason to suspect that the driver or some passenger was injured, you ought to mention that fact. Later, if symptoms support your suspicion, the reported symptoms should not be a surprise.
If you have submitted a claim to the insurance company of a responsible party, you should expect to hear from one of that same company’s insurance adjusters. Your method for responding to that particular call should not copy the approach used when speaking with someone that worked for your own insurer. Instead, you should limit the amount of information that you share with the adjuster. By all means, never agree to provide the adjuster with a recorded statement. Any single thing that you might say in that recorded statement, if you were to make one, could be used to weaken your case.