If you are part of a car accident, it’s only natural to turn to anyone who can help improve your situation. This is why so many people immediately get on the phone with their insurance agent. They assume this person, along with the rest of their company, will step in and make things right.
Unfortunately, you can’t always trust everything you hear from your insurance company. Remember this: They’re going to do what’s in their best interest, which doesn’t always benefit you.
Here are some of the common insurance mistakes people often make after a car accident:
- Providing a written or recorded statement to an insurance company before understanding their legal rights and policy coverage
- Accepting the first appraisal or estimate, all with the idea that their insurance company would never do them wrong
- Signing a waiver or release without knowing exactly what it says and means
- Accepting a check for final payment, when in actually they want to fight for additional compensation
- Neglecting to review their insurance policy and not understanding it’s a contract that the insurer must live up to
As you do your best to avoid these mistakes, here are some of the steps you should be taking:
- Don’t wait too long to call your insurance agent to report the accident
- Review your policy so you know what to expect during your conversation
- Keep detailed notes of the accident itself, as well as every conversation you have with insurance company representatives
- Be 100 percent honest when discussing the accident, all while understanding that you shouldn’t be pressured into saying something that isn’t true
- Keep receipts associated with losses from your accident, such as those for lodging, meals and medical treatment
It’s hard to keep a level head after a car accident, as you have so much going on around you. This is even more so the case if you’ve suffered a serious injury that requires medical attention.
In the aftermath of a car accident you shouldn’t hesitate to learn more about your insurance policy, as well as your legal rights for seeking the compensation you deserve.