Owning a car means you are responsible for many costs, including insurance premiums, repairs and the payment on the loan. The Insurance Information Institute states that the cost of owning a 2019 vehicle in 2019 was $9,282.
When you get into a car accident, filing a claim with your insurance company can help you recoup some of the cost for fixing your vehicle. Here is what happens when you move forward with this process.
Working around the timeline
As you file the auto insurance claim, ask about any time limits that could affect the process. If you do not submit the claim and all related documents within your insurer’s timeframe, you may not receive payment assistance for car repairs and medical bills. The timeline available to you can also vary depending on the type of claim you intend to file.
Coordinating with the adjuster
Once you file the claim, an insurance adjuster will assess your car, determine what parts sustained damage in the accident and figure out the losses. This process can help the adjuster determine who is responsible for the accident.
When the adjuster finishes the assessment, he or she will provide an initial estimate for repair costs (this usually includes parts and labor). After you have this estimate, the repair shop you take your car to will inspect the damage as well and send an independent report to your insurance company. This information will help your insurer figure out how much of the cost they will cover for your car’s repair work.
