You never want to just hope for the best when filing insurance claims. Making sure you have all the information, complete forms, and supporting documentation to file a claim can save you time, money, and stress.
The last thing you want to worry about when making a claim is a silly insurance claim error – the kind of error that can hold up the process or negate your claim totally or even part of it.
If you want to increase your chances of getting a favorable action on your insurance claim, learn more about common auto insurance claim errors that people are making and how you can avoid them.
Let’s begin!
Table of Contents
1. Submitting Incomplete Documents
Whether you’re seeking compensation for a car accident injury or property damage, insurance companies will usually require you to submit your claim through a form. If you don’t, your claim may be denied.
Usually, you will need to have a copy of your insurance policy, as well as any bills or estimates for repairs. If you have any photos of the accident or damage, these can be helpful as well.
2. Not Keeping Copies of Documents
It’s also a good idea to keep copies of all documentation related to your policy, as well as any correspondence with your insurer, in a safe place. This will help you keep track of what you’ve submitted and when.
This will also be useful if you need to follow up on the status of your claim. If they claim that you have not submitted certain documents, copies with their signature or stamp can be proof that you have.
3. Giving Too Much Information to the Insurance Company
You may be tempted to give a long, detailed account of the accident, but this can actually backfire. The insurance company may use your statement against you, or it may take longer to process your claim.
It’s important to be honest with the insurance company, but you don’t need to give them every detail. Just stick to the facts and answer any questions truthfully.
4. Filing After the Deadline
Another error is not paying mind to your claim filing deadline. Depending on your state, you may have as little as 30 days to file a claim after an accident. If you miss this deadline, your claim will likely be denied.
In any case, it is important to file your auto insurance claim as soon as possible after an accident.
5. Getting Too Many Repair Estimates
You should only get two or three estimates from reputable collision repair shops. Any more than that and you’re likely just shopping for the best deal, which insurance companies will view as fraud.
If you ever get suspected of fraud, however, or if your claim involves a stolen car and you’re confused as to who should be responsible for your injury or property damage, read more about this to learn the next steps you need to take.
Steer Clear of Common Auto Insurance Claim Errors
By taking care when filing an insurance claim, you can avoid many of the common auto insurance claim errors that people make. If you are unsure about any part of the process, it is best to seek professional help to ensure that your claim is handled properly.
Remember, always take your time and review your claim form before submitting it.
Want more handy tips like these? Look around our blog and you’ll surely find other helpful articles that will pique your interest. Keep reading!
