Auto Accident Claim Process

It can be a harrowing experience for a person first being an accident victim and after that going through the auto accident claim process that can be tedious and cumbersome in some cases and the rather too professional approach of the Insurance companies can also be a pain in the neck sometimes.

To avoid the post accident claims trauma one should be well aware of how the whole system of accident claim works to his advantage. It involves a bit of paper work also that everybody has to go through but if your basics are right then it can be a smooth sailing. There are several types of auto accident claim process and one should go through his policy to ascertain what all is covered under the accident cover provided to him by the insurance company. You should review your policy for specific coverage information. Different Types of Auto Insurance available in US: Auto Loan/Lease Protection: If your vehicle has been completely destroyed in an accident and is a "total loss," the balance you owe on the loan or lease might exceed the cash value. The insurance company indemnifies the purchaser of the policy against this payment gap and is available on cars, trucks, or vans for which you purchase. In Bodily Injury Liability Coverage policy the insurance company pays damages on your behalf when you are involved in an accident that causes injury or loss of life to other individuals. All the expenses incurred due to a law suit brought against you will be beared by the insurance company.

In Collision Coverage policy the insurance company pays to you the actual cash value for your vehicle, less the deductible, for a damage caused by an impact with another vehicle or object.

In Full Tort Option you can bring a lawsuit against the negligent party and the insurance company bears the legal cost of that.

Limited Tort/Limitation on Lawsuit Option: Allows you to recover out-of-pocket and other expenses; subject to some conditions laid down by the insurance companies.

In Medical Coverage policy the insurance company bears the expenditure for medical services to the occupants of a vehicle that result from an automobile accident.

In the optional Transportation Expenses policy if you have other than collision coverage policy, you can purchase an additional amount of coverage to pay for a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired or until it can be replaced.

Other Than Collision Coverage: In the past it was known as

Comprehensive Coverage policy, and it pays up to the actual cash value, less the deductible, for damage that is not caused by the impact with another vehicle or object and might be due to some natural reason or act of God (for example: fire, theft, vandalism, flood, or striking an animal).

Personal Injury Protection/First Party Benefits: If you meet an accident and suffer some personal injuries then in that case this policy allows you to be reimbursed for certain expenses by your own insurance company, regardless of which driver was at fault.

In property damage liability coverage policy the insurance company pays for financial loss when, you are held legally responsible for an auto accident that causes damage to other people's property, including the vehicles of other drivers. In uninsured/underinsured bodily injury motorist coverage policy the insurance company pays for financial loss to you resulting from bodily injury or loss of life caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver or vehicle owner.

In uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage liability coverage policy the insurance company pays for loss or damage to your vehicle that is legally recoverable from the owner or driver of an uninsured or underinsured vehicle. There are Different Types of Auto Insurance available in UK:

Third party car insurance policies basically protect you from any costs you might incur if your car causes damage to person or property. A third party car insurance policy will indemnify you for liability for injuries, damage to other people's property arising out of a accident, damage caused by a caravan or trailer and also the liability of passengers for accidents of their own fault.. Third party, fire and theft this type of insurance offers you a more extended cover than basic third party cover as your car is also protected for damage that might occur to it during situations involving fire or theft. The fully comprehensive insurance policies are the most inclusive type of UK car insurance policies that offer extra cover for windscreen damage, car audio equipment, personal belongings and personal accident cover. The Fully comprehensive insurance policies are a handy tool and quite helpful even in cases of accidental damage to your own car as well as provide cover for loss or damage to personal possessions up to a pre-determined limit.You will be covered for medical expenses up to a specified amount and personal accident cover will pay out benefits if the policyholder is killed or disabled in a car accident. Optional extras - legal expenses cover Apart from the other insurance covers, there is one optional but very useful legal expenses cover. In some cases by taking a extra policy cover from the insurance company covers your legal expenses also even if the other party involved is uninsured. After the accident there are some dos and donts that you should follow strictly. • Try to park your vehicle in a side lane if it’s in a driving condition so as to protect your vehicle from further damage. • If your car is not in a driving condition, then the insurance company executive or the surveyor deputed to assess the damage to your vehicle will advise about what to do when you report your claim. • You have to tell the insurance company clearly where your vehicle is located. • The insurance company will provide you with a detailed estimate of the damage and cost of repairs. • You have the right to select the repair facility that will repair your vehicle. • You can also seek the help of the insurance company in locating the nearest repair facilities. • Only the owner of the vehicle and not the driver at the time of accident can authorize repairs to your vehicle. Claims against you In case of any allegation pertaining to your fault in an accident, immediately contact your insurance agent or claim representative. The allegations will be verified and investigated. The insurance company subject to the terms and conditions of the policy,will reimburse those claims that you are legally liable to honor.

After the intimation of the auto accident claim process to the insurance company the company deputes a surveyor to assess the loss to the person and property. The intimation given to the insurance company can be verbal on the telephone and in some cases they ask to fill an claim intimation form before deputing the surveyor. The insurance company executives most usually ask the place where the automobile can be surveyed.

Types of claims and final settlement • If you have taken a cashless insurance policy then in that case you don’t have to pay anything upfront to the car repair workshop and all the bills will be settled by the insurance company without you facing any hassles. Though you will be expected to pay the processing charges and the depreciation amount accrued on your vehicle. The amount of depreciation varies from vehicle to vehicle and depends how old the vehicle is. • If you have not gone for a cashless insurance policy then all the bills have to be paid by you to the car repair workshops and later on subsequent to the submission of bills etc the insurance company will issue you a cheque settling all your dues. This is a bit lengthy process and needs a lot of follow up at the insurance company’s end by you. So it’s better to go for the cashless insurance policy option.

Try to assess the loss yourself before you go for the claim because the next year the insurance company will deduct a no-claim bonus which is usually 20% of the premium from the insured value of your vehicle. And if you think the claim is a minor one and spending from your own pocket will be more beneficial than you can also go for that option as in that case you will save the depreciation amount, processing charges and the no claim bonus that will not be given to you once you have taken the claim.