If you have had the bad luck of being involved in a car accident, you need to be aware that insurance claims adjusters investigators are part of the process of compensating you for the damage sustained. Before your insurance company parts with the amount you have claimed, it will send claims adjusters and investigators to verify the facts. They will check if the damages you have reported really occurred and if the cost of repair and healthcare really match your claims. This is a normal procedure and you need to co-operate with the adjusters instead of taking offence.
Low Initial Offer
Any claims adjuster works for the insurance company. So they have a mandate to save as much money as possible for their employer. This means that the claims adjuster will try to make a low initial offer – they will under value your pain and suffering, attempt to fix your car with used parts, make you a final offer before your treatment is complete, and so on. Do not accept the initial offer at once. Go over it carefully and try and get a greater amount in compensation.
Wait for Treatment to Be Completed
Many claims adjusters will make a final offer before your medical treatment is completed. Do not accept such offers as you never know when medical complications will arise, necessitating further treatment.
Do Not Admit to Fault
While one has to be truthful in reporting the facts of the accident, there is no need to evaluate the circumstances and assign fault. Let the police and the claims adjuster make a decision on the fault.
Collect Evidence
Even at the accident site, apart from obtaining the name and insurance details of the other party, try and obtain names and addresses of witnesses. Also, take photographs of the accident and the damage sustained by your vehicle. If possible get somebody to photograph your injuries.
Contact Your Insurance Company
In the event of an accident, call your insurance company as soon as possible and inform them of the accident as well as your intention to claim compensation. The earlier you do this, the better as many insurance companies have a time limit beyond which they will not process your claim.
Getting Legal Help
If your accident involves injuries and medical and other expenses for which you need to seek compensation, contact a lawyer who will negotiate a good deal with your insurance company. This is important if there are disputes about who was at fault as well as if the compensation amount is very low.
