The accident that occurred in your brother-in law’s truck caused you to be so grateful you took the time to listen to someone and purchased one-day car insurance. No matter if you’ve been in a car crash before or not, there are steps to follow, details to collect, and information that is crucial to the outcome of the event. These are important things to remember when an accident happens, regardless of whether your regular car insurance covers you or if you were the driver of another vehicle or truck.
It is a long list of things that you should do. It doesn’t matter if you have a semiannual, long-term or one-day car insurance rider policy. Following the protocol will make it easier over time.
1. Contact your carrier immediately. Only exceptions are made if you or any of your passengers are seriously hurt and require immediate medical attention. Otherwise, your agent should be your first contact if you are in an accident with minor injuries that are not life-threatening.
2. Review your policy Use a fine tooth comb to read the fine print.
3. Learn all about it. Talk to any witnesses, being certain to get their names telephone numbers and addresses. Photograph as many of the accident scene as possible and any damage done to your vehicle. If other cars are involved, take photos and record the injuries and damages. You are your own personal CSI, so there is nothing left to chance.
4. Make sure to keep track of all their insurance information. Take down their insurance company’s name, the policy number and the contact information.
5. Keep complete records of all communications and dealings with everyone. You might feel a little uncomfortable making audio or video recording of all interactions with either insurance company, with the other driver involved, or with the claims department, but this is your best defense when building a strong case.
6. Keep a detailed and accurate accounting of all expenses or bills For filing an insurance claim.
7. You should be open and honest with the claims adjuster. Your fraud claim could be dismissed if you leave out certain details or exaggerate the loss and cost. When you purchased one-day car insurance, you made a good decision.
8. Examine all current insurance policies Before you file with the claims adjuster.
9. You don’t have to be the one who caused the accident If the incident report does not clarify who is to blame, It is up to the investigators to interpret the facts and decide who was responsible.
10. You must not submit anything in writing to any insurance agency pertaining to details yet undetermined by the experts, because you can’t take it back.
11. You must file your claim promptly. Do not procrastinate. Each company has a different time limit for filing an accident claim. Get the information you need to know about your deadlines and file immediately.
12. Never accept their first offer, or agree to their conclusions. Before you get all the details and estimates for damages and repair costs, it is a good idea to have your own estimates by an independent third-party. Your insurance company will want to pay as little as possible because they are still in business to make a profit, not to be friends.
13. Do not sign any legal documents without consulting an attorney.
14. Never accept and cash a check issued by an insurance company as a partial payment or final settlement until you are absolutely satisfied that is fair compensation for your trouble. You will not get a second chance at getting all you deserve.
Someone who has the wisdom to buy a policy for a day to cover a vehicle or truck they don’t own is truly wise. You can’t let life’s little accidents happen to you. Although you might think that dealing with the details and the process is difficult, it is nothing compared to driving without insurance and breaking the law.
Ruth Roberts lives just five miles from the middle, in the high desert of New Mexico. She has been enjoying the vast open space and the ability to see for miles. Too bad people feel the pull of old west, when everyone had the right to drive and live as they pleased. Imagine living in a rural area with little traffic and few roads. Collisions would be rare compared to those in cities. However, this is not the case. Locals drive fast and have no legal coverage for their vehicles. Although the law states that you must have insurance to register and drive a motor car, most drivers who aren’t insured claim they don’t have any.
