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Car Insurance And How To Make A Claim

Car insurance and how to make a claim is one of those things you might not want to think about, but it’s best to know what to do.

Firstly, ensure you tell your insurance company as soon as practically possible after the accident. They are there to help with guidance and advice, and don’t feel embarrassed either, yours certainly won’t be the first claim they’ve had to deal with.

Details come first and this is where, if you made a few notes after the bash, that being prepared comes in very useful. So, you have your paperwork and notes to hand, and you call your insurance company. Some will take the details down over the telephone and effectively fill out the Claims Form for you; others will send you the forms in the post.

At this stage be cool and sensible; don’t invent scenarios, or be too descriptive in telling how the accident unfolded. Insurance claim forms are some of the best comic masterpieces around and everyone must have heard of the ‘…I was driving along and the tree jumped out in front of me…’ excuse. And we all might laugh, but we all do it. Flowery prose, or whiney excuses, are just going to get in the way of making a successful claim.

Now, also make notes of when you spoke to the insurance company, what you told them and what they asked you to do. With the best will in the world, mistakes and delays do happen, so its best to keep track of your discussions with them.

The best advice is to ask the insurer to talk you through the process. They handle these situations everyday and they know the routine inside out.

For example, don’t rush down to the local garage and get your beloved car repaired. You have to wait for the insurer to recommend a garage and get quotes for the repair.

And although this process might take a little time, don’t forget it’s for your benefit as well, because you might have a sizeable excess which you will have to pay. This you will normally have to pay to the garage handling the repairs, so it does pay to ensure you take care when the garage is chosen.

If your claim is rejected, get a detailed reason from your insurer as to why and if necessary, you might have to seek legal redress, but, only after you are sure, having read your policy, that you are in the right.

Of course, you will have to decide, if it’s your choice, whether making a claim is worth it, considering the level of excess, or the effect on your no-claims bonus. Just make sure you understand though that if you have agreed to an excess and it is deemed payable, you cannot renege on this.

Excesses, if demanded, are legally binding and you will be expected to pay-up.

Car insurance and how to make a claim is these days straightforward, but the best advice is to quickly use your insurance company to guide you through the process.

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