If you have ever had the misfortune of been involved in a car accident, you will know all about the hassles involved when looking to make a claim with your insurer. Every insurer seems so quick to take your money, but drags their feet when you need them to pay out.
As the days get darker earlier and winter begins its approach, naturally car accidents rise. It is estimated by some insurers that car insurance claims rise by 40% at this time of year. If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident here are four things you need to do in the first instance.
• Always keep your insurance information in the car. Also have a notepad and pen handy to note down any information that will become useful later on. Most mobile phones nowadays have a camera attached so put it to good use and take pictures of the scene.
• Stay at the scene of the accident until the police arrived. Take down the names of the officers and make sure they have your version of how the accident took place. Remember some minor accidents will not generate a police report so find this out.
• Exchange names, addresses, driver's license and insurance information with the driver of the other car. Also try and take the names of any other passengers involved in the accident.
• Review your policy so you are clear on what you are covered for. Make a note of any excess you will need to pay. Make a list of questions and related information you want to know.
Making the Claim
Once your home, have a brew to settle the nerves and get your affairs in order. Next it is time to contact your insurance company. Most insurance companies have a 24-hour claims hotline, so when you are ready, make the call. Don’t be tempted to exaggerate the truth as you will get found out. Shockingly, over eleven million people admitted they would lie to an insurer to guarantee a payout, according to research by price comparison site moneysupermarket.com. Here are eight ways to get you through process, stress free.
1. If the claim was a major accident or related to a criminal matter such as theft, then make sure you get the incident number from the police as your insurer will need it in the event of any subsequent prosecutions.
2. Ask the insurer to be clear on exactly what you need to do and what evidence you will need to support the claim.
3. Always be consistent with your story of events. It is important to get your facts right first time around, as if you need to change anything later on it could look suspicious and could affect your claim.
4. Keep all relevant documents and photographs in a safe place for reference. In regards to the pictures, always have a copy of them stored on your computer as well as your phone/camera.
5. Give your insurer up to three contact telephone numbers so they can always get in touch with you. For example, your mobile, work and home telephone numbers.
6. Do not take your car in for repairs and hope it will be paid for. Your insurance company will more than likely recommend a garage to you and you should take it there.
7. Keep all receipts and photocopy any documents related to your car insurance claim. If possible record any phone calls related to the claim and take the names of anyone you speak with at the insurance company.
8. Remember that you will be required to pay the agreed level of excess even if your insurer will meet the repair costs, and this payment will normally be made straight to the garage that repairs your car.
To Claim or Not to Claim
All insurance policies will have an excess payment attached to them, usually set by the policy holder themselves. Also don’t forget about your ‘no claims bonus’. This bonus can save you up to 65% off your policy, so taking these two factors into account, you need to decide whether to claim or not.
The excess payment must be paid no matter what damage occurs to your car, or for whatever reason the claim is made. You have to pay it because you have entered in to a legal contract where you have agreed to pay the initial amount of any insurance claim. For example, if the total cost of the claim is £1000 and you have a £250 excess, then you will have to pay that excess payment and the insurer will pay the remaining £750. If you were not at fault though, you can claim the excess payment back from the other party’s company.
If the cost of repair is fairly minimal, compared with your excess, then you may want to take the hit yourself. As the cost of your insurance to renew next year will most definitely increase due to the loss of your ‘no claims bonus’.
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