November 7, 2009

How To Settle An Auto Insurance Claim Quickly

Settling an auto insurance claim quickly might sound impossible, but it’s not. There are people who can help you, and there are steps that you can take to get your claim resolved without a lot of hassle.

First, you should always make sure that you have your auto insurance card with you. It should be in your vehicle. Some people keep their card in their wallet, but if you have the insurance card in your wallet and your spouse is driving the car, it could be a problem if he or she is in an accident. It’s hard to get an auto insurance claim addressed quickly when you’re dealing with a proof of insurance ticket. It can slow the process down and make you appear careless and guilty – which can call into question whether you were at fault. You don’t want to have to deal with that, because it can make your auto insurance rate go up.

Rather than see those higher rates, make sure that you’re complying with what’s required of you through your insurance company and through your state and/or local regulations. It’s one of the ways that you’ll get your claim settled more quickly. Unfortunately, you can’t always control what the other person involved in the accident does. In other words, you could do everything right with your insurance and still have your auto insurance claim held up because the other party doesn’t have the proper coverage. This can be especially true if the other party was the one who caused the accident. Insurance problems on their end could hold up your claim, causing frustration and anxiety. The only advantage there is that your auto insurance rate wouldn’t be going up. If you’re in the unfortunate circumstance of being hit by someone who doesn’t have valid insurance, you can expedite your auto insurance claim by filing with your own insurance company to get your car fixed.

Your auto insurance rate shouldn’t go up if you weren’t the one at fault in the accident, but it may if your auto insurance company still had to pay a claim on your policy. It’s worth considering how bad the damage is to your car and whether it’s still drivable. Is it necessary to file a claim? Also, keep in mind that your policy won’t cover the repairs on your car if an uninsured driver hits you unless you have collision coverage. Uninsured motorists’ coverage is for medical bills only.

Work with your auto insurance company on any kind of claim that you’re involved in and be willing to provide all requested information in a timely manner. It’ll help you get your claim settled quickly.