It has never been easier than it is right now for drivers to initiate an insurance claim after they get into a crash. You might be able to start the claim process before the police even arrive to take your report about the collision.
Insurance companies now allow and even encourage policyholders to use digital reporting tools such as their website or a proprietary app when they have an issue, like a crash. Don’t let the ease of starting the claim process lull you into a false sense of security.
The other driver’s policy will likely be the one to pay your costs if they caused the crash. Even if they have a policy through the same company as you, you need to remember that, as a claimant, the insurance company is not on your side. Getting professional help can make it easier to avoid the pitfalls so many people experience during a major crash-related insurance claim.
Some insurance companies will try to get you to take the blame
Fault plays a role in who pays for a crash, so it makes sense that insurance companies might try to show that a person hurt in a collision caused by someone else also has some kind of responsibility for the crash.
The company might hire a professional to recreate the collision and show that both drivers had partial responsibility for the outcome of events even if the driver they cover was clearly under the influence of drugs or texting at the time of the collision.
Sometimes, the company might be more direct, using recorded statements and questions as a way to trick a person into implicating themselves. Having an attorney present when you answer questions by an insurance adjuster can protect you from making a statement that limits your rights.
The insurance company might try to offer you far less than you need
Big claims impact income for insurance companies, so they often do whatever they can to reduce how much they pay out after a crash. Bad faith insurance practices involve a company trying to avoid paying what they legally owe to to a driver who gets hurt or has to deal with substantial property damage.
One common form of bad faith insurance is the low-ball settlement offer. In this situation, a company offers a lump-sum amount that initially seems appropriate but later turns out not to cover nearly enough. The person who needs more compensation is left without many options.
You will probably also need help evaluating a settlement offer and trying to place a price on the injury and losses you suffered in the crash. Getting professional help can assist you in maximizing what you receive from your claim and minimizing the long-term impact of the crash on your life.