It’s always a good idea to contact your car insurance company after an accident, regardless of whether it was your fault or not. In fact, it’s a contractual obligation that you have. Failure to do so could result in a denial of your claim, or even cancellation or increase in your policy premiums.
You don’t have to share all of the traumatic details of the accident with the insurance company, but you do need to comply with the terms of your contract. You also have the right to seek legal representation before talking to an insurance representative. Insurance companies are skilled at getting information from accident victims that they can use to deny or reduce a claim.
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After a car accident, you have enough on your plate as it is. While you may be relieved that you and everyone else involved are safe and have no major injuries, you have to get back on the road and deal with all of the issues that arise from a collision. For many people, contacting their insurance company is the last thing they want to do.
In most cases, you are legally required to notify your insurance company of the accident within a certain time frame. The amount of time depends on the type of coverage you have and the requirements of your policy. There are several types of auto accident coverages that require you to give notice to your insurer, including uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. If the person who caused the accident doesn’t have any insurance, or their insurance isn’t sufficient to cover your losses, this type of coverage may help you recover your loss.
Generally, you will need to provide basic information such as the date and approximate time of the accident, the location, and the names and addresses of all parties involved. In some cases, the insurance company may ask you to provide a recorded statement. If this happens, you should politely decline and say that you are not ready to discuss the details of the accident at this time.
The insurance company will likely want to know about any injuries you sustained in the accident and how the crash has affected your life. Be honest, but do not embellish or overstate your symptoms. While some injuries may become apparent immediately, others may take longer to develop. The other driver’s insurance company will want to know about your injuries as well, so they can make a determination about fault and liability.
In most cases, the other driver’s insurance company will investigate the collision and determine what liability, if any, they should assume for your damages. They may decide to pursue subrogation, which means they will attempt to recoup the costs they paid from your own insurance carrier. If they do, they are required to notify you of their intentions, so you can file your own claims for reimbursement, if appropriate. In some cases, the other driver’s insurance company may agree to reimburse your deductible and share in any recovery for your property damage and injury-related medical bills.