insurancemrjwags.weebly.com/uploads/2/1/4/8/21488426/insuranc… · web view2020-04-13 · fender...

NGPF Case StudyInsurance

Case Study Summary

Description: In this Case Study, students will play the role of a new insurance claims representative who helps various clients deal with different aspects of using their auto insurance.

Internet Usage: Required

Spreadsheet Skills: None

Alignment to Insurance Unit Learning Objectives:

Students will be able to● Explain the fundamental ways that insurance companies provide

coverage but also make money as a business (11.1)● Identify steps to take immediately after an auto accident and

successfully file a claim (11.4)

Fender Bender Frenzy!Jamal is new to the T-Wrecks Insurance Company team as an insurance claims representative and is excited to help folks out with their car insurance needs! This is his second week at this position and he is learning the ropes to provide high quality service to T-Wrecks clients.

One of Jamal’s first projects is to create a page for the T-Wrecks company website on auto insurance that walks clients through the steps they should take after they get into a car accident. Here’s what he has so far:

Car accidents themselves can’t be anticipated, but you can be prepared. The time immediately following a car accident is crucial to filing a successful car insurance claim, so knowing the steps will be incredibly helpful in that process.

Jamal conducts some online research to review what people should have with them in the case they get into accident and what they should do during and after an accident.

www.ngpf.org Last updated: 4/25/191

Answer This:

1. Search the internet to find some online resources that provide details on what to do to PREPARE for a car accident, what to do IMMEDIATELY after the accident, and FOLLOW-UP tasks afterwards. Fill in the table below using the information you gathered online to help Jamal create content for the T-Wreck’s website.

BEFORE DURING AFTER

How to prepare for an accident What to do immediately after an accident Follow-up tasks afterwards

With your help, Jamal is now finished with the website page and submits it to his manager for review. His manager says, “This looks great! This will help many folks better understand what needs to be done at each stage after a car accident. Thank you! I’m about to hop into a meeting, but I’ve got another project for you later.” Jamal heads back to his desk when the phone rings…

Jamal: Good morning, this is Jamal with T-Wrecks Insurance Company. How can I help you today?

Stephanie: Hi Jamal, this is Stephanie Salas. On the way to work this morning, I was slowing down to match the pace of traffic and someone rear-ended me! Both of our cars have damage! I am safe now at work, but wanted to follow up with T-Wrecks about what to do next regarding filing an auto insurance claim.

Jamal: I’m so sorry to hear about the accident, but glad that you are now safe! Do you have the police report and pictures of the damage?

Stephanie: Yes, I have both!

Jamal: Excellent. Let’s get started on collecting and organizing all of the necessary information to make the claims process as smooth as possible. I can email you a Claims Worksheet that you will need to complete.

Stephanie: That sounds fantastic. Thank you so much! This is my first car accident and first time filing an auto insurance claim. Jamal: You did the right thing and called us as soon as you got to a safe area! I’m going to send you an email with a claim number and some tips on filling out an auto insurance claim. Once you are done, we can reconnect to talk about next steps.Stephanie: Thanks! I’ll give you a call back in about an hour when I’m all done with the claims worksheet.Jamal: Sounds good!


Exhibit 1: Email from Jamal

To: Stephanie Salas

From: Jamal Turner

Subject: T-Wrecks Insurance Claim #: 716550

Ms. Salas,

Thank you for contacting me regarding your recent automobile incident. I’ve opened a claim on your behalf. Your claim number is 716550.

As you gather information about the accident, please record it on the Claims Worksheet attached below. Additionally, here are some tips on filling out an auto insurance claim:

● Record three important items below in question 2 box.

Best,Jamal

Answer This:

2. Jamal does some online research and skims through this helpful Wallethub article. What are 3 important tips on filing an auto insurance claim that Jamal should include in his email to Stephanie?

Exhibit 2: Police Report

Mississippi State Highway Patrol1900 W George Washington Ave, Jackson, MS 39216

(601) 841-5019

Police Accident Report

Police Report #: 729A24PF State Motor Vehicle Report #: 12407923

Date: 4/12/2019 Time: 8:00 a.m. Location: I-55, 37 mi. north of Jackson

Party #1 Involved

Name: Stephanie Salas Age: 19

Address: 111 Poplar Lane. Jackson, MS 39216 Phone Number: (601) 992-0019

Make: Ford Model: Explorer Year: 2003 License Plate: 63A0BW

Party #2 Involved


Name: Lawrence Stanley Age: 31

Address: 37 Durant CircleCanton, MS 39046

Phone Number: (601) 712-0331

Make: Honda Model: Civic Year: 1999 License Plate: Y78PB4

Witness(es)

Name: Monse Finnie Phone Number: (601) 665-9041

Accident Report

At approximately 8:00 a.m. on Friday, April 12, 2019, Stephanie Salas (age 19) was driving her 2003 Ford Explorer XLT southbound on Interstate 55, approximately 37 miles north of Jackson. Her speed was approximately 55 miles per hour.

At this time, Lawrence Stanley (age 31), was travelling behind Ms. Salas in his 1999 Honda Civic at a distance of approximately 100 feet, at a speed of approximately 60 miles per hour. Ms. Salas then slowed her speed while Mr. Stanley did not, and a collision occurred.

Ms. Salas immediately telephoned 911. I received the dispatch call at 8:04 a.m. and arrived on the scene at 8:11 a.m. Ms. Salas and Mr. Stanley had moved over to the side of the road and were exchanging insurance information. Another motorist, Monse Finnie (age 29) also pulled over, having claimed to witness the accident.

Mr. Stanley alleges that Ms. Salas slowed abruptly, and he was unable to decrease his speed enough to avoid a collision. Ms. Salas says she slowed at the same pace as the rest of traffic. Ms. Finnie said traffic slowed at a “normal speed,” and said she noticed Mr. Stanley’s eyes looking down in his vehicle, and he appeared to be using a cellular telephone. Mr. Stanley denied this claim.

Ms. Salas and Mr. Stanley both sustained only minor scratches. Airbags deployed in both vehicles. Ms. Salas’ vehicle sustained major damage to the rear of the vehicle, while Mr. Stanley’s vehicle sustained significant damage to the front bumper and hood.

Upon taking statements from all parties, and ensuring no medical attention was needed, I deemed there were no imminent health or criminal requirements and departed the scene once tow trucks arrived to take both vehicles to repair shops for inspection.

Signature

Officer Name: James Moore Signature:

Badge #: 550192 Date: 4/12/2019

NOTE: This is NOT AN OFFICIAL POLICE DOCUMENT. It has been created specifically for this activity and is 100% fictional. Any information below is only intended for the educational purpose of preparing students in the event of a car accident. Besides the logo, all information about the Mississippi Highway Patrol has been changed. Please do not contact MHP in regards to this document.


Exhibit 3: Photographs

Stephanie Salas’ 2003 Ford Explorer

Lawrence Stanley’s 1999 Honda Civic

Exhibit 4: Insurance Cards

Stephanie Salas’s Insurance Card


Lawrence Stanley’s Insurance Card

Answer This:3. Using Exhibits 1 - 4, help Stephanie fill out the Auto Insurance Claims Worksheet.

T-Wrecks Insurance CompanyCLAIMS WORKSHEET

CLAIM NUMBER:

Accident/Loss Info

Date: Time: Location:

Who Else Was Involved?

Name of Other Driver:

Phone Number: Address:

Other Driver’s Insurance Company:

Phone Number: Address:

Name of Other Passenger: Phone Number:

Name of Other Passenger: Phone Number:


Your Claims Rep

Name: Phone Number:

Your Accident/Loss

Police Report Number:

State Motor Vehicle Report Number:

Local Police Station Phone Number:

Briefly Describe the Accident and Damage:

While Stephanie is filling out the claims worksheet at her workplace, back at the T-Wrecks Insurance office, Jamal’s manager swings by his desk and says, “Here’s that next project I mentioned earlier! We have a few folks whose cases we've reviewed and unfortunately, we have to deny their claims. I just sent you their files. Please contact them back explaining why their claim was denied and provide them with some precautions that they can take in the future to make sure that their claim goes through next time.”

Jamal double checks this list of reasons why car insurance claims can be denied and then checks his email, seeing 2 different files from his manager. The first customer called in two months after his car accident and reported that he is suffering from whiplash. He would now like to add this information to his insurance claim.


Answer This:

4. What reasoning should Jamal provide for why this car insurance claim was denied?

5. What advice can Jamal give this client to improve his chances of getting approved for a similar claim in the future?

The second file is from a customer who was on a road trip and had a thief break into her car through her back window. She says that she thought she had comprehensive coverage, but in reality, her coverage did NOT include it.

Answer This:

6. What reasoning should Jamal provide for why this car insurance claim was denied?

7. What advice can Jamal give this client to improve his chances of getting approved for a similar claim in the future?

8. What are 3 other common reasons that car insurance claims can be denied that you want to make sure YOU are aware of for yourself?

Jamal reflects on these two clients’ situations and doesn’t want the same thing to happen to Stephanie, so he brainstorms some advice that he can give her when they reconnect. After Jamal clicks “send” on the email to the last client, a new message arrives in his inbox and it’s Stephanie’s Claim Worksheet. He takes a few moments to review it and all of the information needed is included. As Jamal organizes the files into her profile, his phone rings once more...

Stephanie: Hi Jamal, I finished the claims worksheet and just sent it your way.


Jamal: Yes, I have just taken a look at it and you’ve included every detail that we need!

Stephanie: Great! I had a stellar friend help me out to make sure I didn’t miss anything.

Jamal: Looks good. Now we at T-Wrecks Insurance will continue to review and process this claim, determine what will be covered, and assess the loss and damage. We will reach out if we need additional information and keep you updated on the status.

Stephanie: Thanks Jamal! Is there anything that I can do on my end to ensure that my claim gets approved?

Answer This:

9. What advice can Jamal give Stephanie to make sure that her claim gets approved?

Stephanie: Great advice...I’ll be sure to do so.

Jamal: You got it. Thank you for being a client with T-Wrecks Insurance and for being so proactive on getting this resolved as soon as possible!

Stephanie: Thank you so much for your help. Have a great day!

And with that last phone call, Jamal checks off his final big task on his to-do list for the day. He forwards all of Stephanie’s information to his T-Wrecks Insurance adjuster colleague and packs up to go home.

Answer This:

10. After assisting Jamal at the T-Wrecks Insurance office and helping Stephanie with her claims worksheet, what are 3 things you want to keep in mind if you get into a fender bender accident? Explain why each of these aspects are important to the auto insurance claim process.


START OF REFERENCED DOCUMENTS

#1 Auto Insurance Claims: Step-By-Step Guide & AdviceJoshua Taylor, WalletHub Editorial Team • May 15, 2015

After a car accident, the prospect of dealing

with insurance adjusters and claim forms can

be more stressful than the accident itself. Be

patient and optimistic. Filing claims and

waiting for decisions can be a battle of

attrition, but in many cases the process is

faster and smoother than you might think.

Set the stage for a successful claims process

by also reading what to do after a car accident. Read on to find out more about the process and how

to make it work for you.

1 WHEN TO FILE A CLAIM 2 THE BASIC STEPS OF THE CLAIMS PROCESS 3 WHOSE FAULT IS IT?

4 PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIMS: GETTING CAR REPAIRS 5 BODILY INJURY CLAIMS: GETTING MEDICAL CARE

When to File a Claim

Whether to file a claim after an accident depends on what kind of insurance coverage you carry and

who is at fault. Here are some tips for three major scenarios:


1) Your car is damaged – How did it get that way?

It’s clearly the other driver’s fault – File a claim with the other driver’s insurance company under that driver’s liability policy.

It’s clearly your fault – File a claim with your own insurance company under your collision policy.

Fault is shared or not clear – File a claim with both your own insurer and the other driver’s. Once fault is determined, you’ll get coverage under one or both policies.

Damage is not due to a collision – If your car is stolen, vandalized, or damaged by weather, file a claim under your own comprehensive insurance.

The other driver is uninsured or underinsured – Your own insurance company will cover your losses if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

2) You are injured – How were you injured? Who injured you? Do you live in a no-fault

state?

You have PIP or MedPay insurance – File a claim with your own insurance company under your personal injury protection or MedPay insurance even if you are not at fault or if you have health insurance. Other insurance policies may eventually pay all or part of your expenses, but filing a PIP or MedPay claim will make sure you’re not stuck with medical bills as that gets sorted out.

It’s the other driver’s fault – If the other driver was at fault, or if fault isn’t clear, you’ll file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company under that driver’s liability policy.

The other driver is uninsured or underinsured – Your own insurance company will cover your losses if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

3) Minor damage to your car and no injuries It’s the other driver’s fault – When your losses are covered by the other driver’s liability policy, you don’t pay a deductible. So even when damage is minor, file a claim under that driver’s liability insurance.

It’s your fault – If you can live with the minor damage, or if the cost of fixing it will be not much more than your deductible, consider not filing a claim. The small reimbursement after your deductible may amount to less than your future increases in insurance rates.


The Basic Steps of the Claims Process

Procedures vary depending on your insurance company and your state – if you have any questions

ask your adjuster – but in general here’s how the claims process will work:

1. Contact Your Insurance Company – Contact your agent or insurer to report the accident as

soon as possible. Be prepared to provide the following information:

Which covered vehicle was involved

Who was driving

Location and time of the accident

A basic description of the accident and the severity of the damage

The name and insurance information of the other driver

Names and contact information of others involved in the accident and witnesses

Take notes and write down the claim number you’re provided, plus the name and direct phone

number of the person you talk to.

2. File a police report – Your insurance company will request a police report number. If you did not

get a police report at the scene, you can still go to a local police station to file a report.

3. Follow up with insurance adjuster – The insurance company will assign an adjuster to your

claim. The adjuster will most likely contact you for additional information. Stick to the facts and

avoid speculation when describing what happened. Provide any photographs you took at the

scene and the contact information of any witnesses. Remember that the conversation will be

recorded and will be used when determining who was at fault. If you are filing a personal injury

claim with the other driver’s insurance company, you may want to contact an attorney before

this step.

In addition to gathering information about the accident, the adjuster will either inspect the

damage to your vehicle or will ask you to take the car to a certified repair shop that will perform

the inspection.


4. Evaluation – Your adjuster will consider and evaluate the facts and your policy, inspect the

damage, and potentially make an initial payment.

2. Resolution – The adjuster will authorize a final payment. You’ll sign a release, accepting the

payment as payment in full for the case.

Whose Fault Is It?

Who is at fault for an accident matters, since that driver’s applicable insurance coverage will be

responsible for paying for any losses. Here are some important things to know about how fault is

determined and allocated:

Adjusters will determine fault – Each insurance company’s adjuster will weigh the statements of each

driver and any witnesses — plus the information in the police report and any other evidence — and

make a determination of who is at fault for the accident. If the adjusters for each insurer come to

different conclusions, the two insurance companies will communicate and try to come to an

agreement. In the rare cases when they cannot agree, fault will be determined by a lawsuit in civil

court.

Fault is sometimes shared – In many states a driver can be found partially at fault. So if you are found

to have contributed to the accident in even a small way, the amount you can recover from the other

driver’s insurance company could be reduced proportionally.

Your insurance company will represent you in court – If you are at fault and you are sued by the other

driver in a personal injury case, your insurance company will represent you in court and in any

negotiations for a settlement.

You have to deal with the other driver’s insurance company if that driver is at fault – You may be able

to get assistance and advice from your insurance broker or insurance company, but ultimately, you’ll

file a claim with the other insurer and will get coverage under that driver’s policy.

You may want legal representation when the other driver is at fault – When injuries are severe, the

other driver’s insurance company may be more reluctant to pay for some bills either in full or in a

timely way. In these cases, you would need to obtain your own legal representation, but personal


injury attorneys work on a commission basis, so you would not have to pay legal fees out of pocket.

Property Damage Claims: Getting Car Repairs

Your insurance company will provide detailed instructions for getting your car repaired, but you need

to be aware of the following important considerations:

Don’t fix anything before the adjuster’s inspection – The insurer will want to inspect the damage to the

vehicle before authorizing repairs. The exception to this rule is when delaying a repair will cause the

car to be damaged further. But even in these cases, discuss the short-term repairs with your

insurance company first. Anything such as a broken sunroof that is letting in the weather, or a

bumper/muffler dragging on the street, need to be fixed as soon as possible. Insurers often won’t pay

for any damage that could have been prevented so follow these steps in such cases:

Confirm with the insurer that such damage exists and the car needs immediate repair. They’ll

likely give you specific instructions.

Take pictures to document the damage that will be repaired.

Let the shop know the nature of the work if they don’t already. They will confirm that the repairs

were necessary to prevent further damage.

Keep all receipts and documentation.

Provide information and documentation to insurers as they request it.

You can choose your own repair shop – You’re never required to use the shop the insurance

company recommends but there may be advantages in doing so.

If more damage is exposed in the course of the repairs, the insurer will approve repairs faster at

an authorized repair shop. Otherwise you may have to wait for additional inspections by the

adjuster.


The authorized shop will get paid directly by the insurance company (which is not always true

when repairs are done elsewhere).

You don’t have to accept third-party parts – When there are cheaper sources of replacement parts

than the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), your insurance company may not be willing to pay

for the more expensive option. While the insurer is not obligated to pay for the car to be repaired with

OEM parts, they must give you the option to pay the extra cost to have your car repaired with original

parts.

You can appeal the insurance company’s decisions – If you have concerns about how the insurer is

handling your claim, you have many avenues of recourse:

Contact your agent – If you purchased your insurance through an agent, that agent can act as

an intermediary between you and the insurance company. You’re the agent’s customer, and in

most cases they will be willing to assist.

Contact the insurer – Most states require insurance companies to provide a way to appeal

decisions. Ask the insurer to take your claim further up the ladder in the organization.

Request an independent appraisal – Under the terms of most insurance policies, you have the

right to an independent appraisal if you disagree with the insurance company’s valuation of

a totaled car.

Contact state regulators – If you’re unable to reach an agreement with the insurance company,

you can file a complaint with your state’s insurance department or attorney general’s office. The

National Association of Insurance Commissioners may have your state’s contact information

here.

Retain an attorney – You have the right to get legal representation to protect your rights and to

represent you in disputes with an insurer.

Bodily Injury Claims: Getting Medical Care

It’s important to prioritize your health when getting medical care after a car accident. Consider the

following as you seek medical treatment:www.ngpf.org Last updated: 4/25/19

15

Get treatment immediately and as injuries become apparent – Don’t wait to get treatment after the

accident or if aches and pains arrive later on. Car repairs can wait, but injuries require immediate

treatment to avoid medical complications. Make sure all health care providers understand that your

injuries are the result of a car accident. Provide them the auto insurance information for your policy

and the other driver’s policy as well as any health insurance you have. Many health care providers

will be willing to directly bill car insurance companies, but in some cases, you’ll need to submit the

medical bills to the insurance company for reimbursement.

You can get help from an attorney for a liability claim – If you have serious injuries caused by another

driver, it is a good idea to contact an attorney to represent you as you file a claim against the other

driver’s liability policy. Personal injury attorneys provide initial consultations for free and will represent

you on a contingency basis, which means they only get paid if your claim is successful.

Image: Andrey_Popov / Shutterstock


REFERENCED ARTICLE #2

13 Reasons Your Car Insurance Claim Was DeniedUpdated on Friday, August 4 2017 | 9 min. read | by Kayda Norman

Learn the common reasons why car insurance claims are denied. And find out how to prevent it from happening to you. We also tell you what to do if your claim is rejected.

Ideally, filing a car insurance claim should be a simple process. A driver sends a claim to their insurance company and their claim gets paid.

Unfortunately, this is often not the case. Insurance companies deny claims for many reasons.

Why Your Car Insurance Claim Was DeniedBelow are a few common reasons insurers reject claims:

1. The responsible party hasn't paid their monthly premiums. If someone misses even one payment, the insurer can suspend a customer's policy. But lack of coverage isn't always obvious when exchanging insurance information after a car accident. If the driver recently stopped paying for coverage, their insurance card might still have a valid date. But that doesn't mean they're covered.

2. You don't understand your policy. Often, consumers may not fully understand what is covered in their auto insurance policy. Someone may submit a claim for damages that aren't covered, such as when using a car for business purposes."Some claims are denied because the auto policy is not in force. Or the wrong policy number is provided for the car. Or you never purchased the appropriate coverage," said Elise Walton, consultant for BH Consulting and former auto adjuster at Progressive. "Review your insurance policy periodically with your agent."

3. You don't have full coverage. According to Walton, not having comprehensive and collision coverage is one of the main reasons insurers deny claims. "Liability is the bare minimum insurance you can purchase," Walton said. "So if the owner is in a collision and the accident is their fault, they won't have coverage to get their car fixed. But the liability portion will cover the non-negligent driver."


https://quotewizard.com/auto-insurance/collision-car-insurance-basics

https://quotewizard.com/auto-insurance/comprehensive-car-insurance-basics

https://quotewizard.com/corp/authors/kayda-norman

4. You didn't report the incident on time. Don't wait to report a crash. Otherwise, a company may say that they didn't have enough time to research a claim. Customers should check their policy to find out how long they have to make a report.

5. You were driving under the influence. Another reason not to drink and drive? Drivers who get into an accident while drinking or under the influence of drugs can be denied auto insurance claims.

6. You're an excluded drive. If you (or the at-fault-driver) aren't named as an insured driver under the policy, you won't have coverage. List all regular drivers in your household to avoid this problem.

7. You made a fraudulent claim. Filing a fraudulent or exaggerated insurance claim is grounds for rejection. It is also a felony.

8. You were driving a new car. Drivers should tell their agent right away when the value of their vehicle changes dramatically. This includes buying a new vehicle. If your agent doesn't know about add-ons, they'll only pay you for damages based on the car's old value.

9. You have insufficient coverage. When the damages to a vehicle exceed the responsible party's policy limits, the adjuster may deny the claim.

10. There is disputed liability. The adjuster may reject a claim for this reason when there's a dispute about who caused the damages. They may also not agree with the damages you are claiming.

11. You didn't get immediate medical attention. Take care of all medical issues as soon as possible. If you don't seek medical help soon, you'll have a much harder time getting reimbursed for hospital fees. This doctor's visit serves as proof that the damages occurred at the same time as the crash. Drivers should also report their injuries to their insurers immediately. Otherwise, they may question if a person's injuries are a result of the accident.

12. You filed an uninsured motorist claim, but the other person has insurance. You may mistakenly think the at-fault driver doesn't have insurance. If you submit your claim under uninsured motorist coverage, it will be denied.

13. Your state has no-fault coverage. There are 12 states in the United States that have no-fault insurance laws. This usually prevents people from filing a personal injury claim against the responsible driver.

No-fault states include:o Florida, Hawaii, , Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North

Dakota, Pennsylvania, Utah, Puerto Rico is also a no fault territory

Claim Denied? What Happens Next?Sometimes, even when consumers file a claim with plenty of supporting documentation, it is denied. Don't just accept this as the last word.


https://quotewizard.com/auto-insurance/uninsured-underinsured-motorist-coverage

https://quotewizard.com/auto-insurance/no-fault-insurance

https://quotewizard.com/auto-insurance/no-fault-insurance

https://quotewizard.com/auto-insurance/car-insurance-limits

https://quotewizard.com/auto-insurance/new-car

Remember, insurance companies are expected to act in good faith. If you're unhappy with your company, you may want to consider switching insurers. You can compare auto insurance rates with no obligation when you request a quote.A person can fight back several ways if they believe their claim was denied for no reason:

o Request a letter stating why your claim was denied."They need to ask the adjuster to advise why they were denied and take notes," said Walton. "Depending on the state's requirements, the policy holder should also receive in writing why the claim was denied."

If your insurer denied the claim for unfair reasons, the letter serves as strong evidence in a bad faith lawsuit.

o Contact your adjuster and explain the company has been a mistake. Be prepared to send documentation to support your reasoning

o In no-fault states, seek money from your insurer. Drivers can't file personal injury claims against the driver at fault in no-fault states. Unless there are severe injuries or damage. Instead, the injured party will receive money for damages from their own insurance company. The insurer must pay for expenses whether or not the insured caused the crash

o Ask the adjuster to change the claim from "insufficient coverage" to "tendering policy limits." If your claim is denied because of insufficient coverage, it doesn't mean the at-fault driver has no money. Rather, insufficient coverage means they don't have enough coverage to pay for all damages

Changing the claim to "tendering policy limits" means you will receive all money available under the other driver's policy. You can usually sue the driver directly for the remaining amount

o Have proof of your car's value. Drivers should have documentation to show their car's value in case the insurance company tries to lower the car's worth. You can find used car values on websites such as kbb.com

o Seek help from a third party. A repair shop may quote one price for a car's damages, and the insurance company may give a different number. This doesn't mean the driver has to automatically agree with the adjuster's estimate.

First, the driver should give their insurer a list of parts from the auto shop. In addition, they should check to see if there is an "appraisal clause" in their policy. This clause lets a person seek help from a third party.

In this case, the customer can get a quote from an auto shop they choose. Then the third party will figure out how much an insurance company should pay. They'll base this on the consumer's quote and the number the insurance company gives


https://www.kbb.com/

https://quotewizard.com/auto-insurance

https://quotewizard.com/auto-insurance

o Contact your state’s Insurance Commissioner or Director of Insurance. The Insurance Commissioner makes sure insurance companies are following state laws and protects consumers. A consumer can file a complaint against their insurer through the state Insurance Commissioner

o Seek professional legal help. When pursuing a claim that involves a serious injury, it is often advisable to seek an attorney’s help. This is especially wise if damages are extensive (and costly). An attorney will generally offer a free consultation. You can also sue your insurance company for bad faith insurance practices and breach of contract

Tips on Filing a Car Insurance ClaimAccidents are traumatic. Filing an insurance claim properly is the last thing on a person's mind. But if you do the following, the claims process go more smoothly. And it could save you thousands of dollars.

After an accident, remember to:

o Exchange insurance cards, registration, and license plate numbers. Also make sure to find out the name of the other person's insurance company and agent

o Take photos of any damages to both cars. Snap some pictures of the accident sceneo Exchange contact information with the other driver. The more information the better"The biggest mistake is not asking who owns the vehicle that was in the accident and getting the owner's address and phone number. And driver's name, address and phone number. Also get the color, make and model of the car and license plate and VIN, " said Walton. "Everyone thinks the police should get the info. This is not always the case. The police might not show up and the person involved in the accident might decide to leave"

o Write down the names and contact information of any witnesseso Call your insurance company and let them know there was an accident. Record the date, time, and

place the collision happened so you can let your agent knowo Write down the police officers’ names and contact information. You should also get the accident report

numbero Avoid immediately accepting responsibility for an accident even if you feel you're to blame. The other

driver could have done something to cause the crash that you're not aware of yeto Take advantage of technology. Some insurers offer apps that make the claims process easier. These

apps allow you to upload photos and written documentation.Insurance apps are not only helpful, but usually free

o Document all communication about your claim. Make note of who you spoke with and when, whether verbally or in writing


o Consider going to your insurance company's preferred car repair shop. This might speed up the process. Don't repair your car until you have talked to your insurance agency. Your insurer may want to assess the damages themselves first

FAQQ: My claim was rejected without explanation. What can I do?

A: Ask the insurance company that rejected your claim for a written denial letter. This letter should contain a reason why your claim was rejected. Knowing the reason your claim was denied is the first step in challenging their decision.

Q: Another car hit me, but no police report was filed. My insurance company is now refusing to pay my claim. What can I do?

A: Unfortunately, without a police report it will be difficult to prove who was at fault in an accident. Insurance companies need to know who was at fault before they can agree to pay out a claim. This is why it's so important you file a police report after an accident.

Q: My insurance company denied my claim because they said I took too long to file. How much time do I have to file an auto insurance claim after an accident?

A: That depends on your insurance company and the details of your policy. Each insurance company has its own rules regarding how soon a claim must be filed. Sometimes your policy will specify the window of time you have for filing a claim. A typical window for filing a physical damage claim is within one year of the accident. No matter how long the window is, you're better off reporting the accident and filing the claim right away.

There's also a time limit for filing lawsuits, should you need to go that route, called the statute of limitations. These statutes vary from state to state. But they often give you two years to file personal injury claims. And up to five years for damage claims.

Q: My insurance company denied my claim because they couldn't contact the person that hit me. My insurer said that without a police report there is no way to determine who was at fault. Can my insurance company deny my claim just because they can't contact one of the parties

involved?

A: If you didn't file a police report, it'll be next to impossible to prove who was at fault. In this case, an insurance company has every right to deny a claim. That's why you should file a police report no matter how minor damages might be. Otherwise, it's just your word against theirs.

Q: What can I do if the other party's insurance company denies my claim despite the accident being their fault?


A: If you have collision coverage, your insurer will probably provide you with legal representation. That way you can fight it out in court. If you don't have collision coverage, you'll have to come up with money for a lawyer on your own dime.

Q: Someone with no insurance hit me. Can my insurance company deny my claim?

A: That depends. If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or collision coverage, your claim should be accepted. But if you don't have coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers or collision, then your claim could be denied. If that happens, you will have to go after the other driver yourself. If you end up taking them to court, you will have to pay for a lawyer yourself.


insurancemrjwags.weebly.com/uploads/2/1/4/8/21488426/insuranc… · web view2020-04-13 · fender...

Documents