Avoid these things when making a car insurance claim

If you have a good relationship with your car insurance agent, it’s easy to believe this person will do what’s best for you after an accident. While they may be helpful to a certain degree, your agent isn’t on your side.

After an accident, such as one in which another driver struck your vehicle, it’s important to file a car insurance claim as soon as possible. When doing so, there are five mistakes you want to avoid:

• Forgetting to read your policy: Your car insurance agent will know your policy inside and out. However, since you don’t work in the industry, you may not spend much time reviewing your policy to understand your coverage. Don’t contact your agent until you first review the finer details of your policy.
• Providing a written or recorded statement: You think you’re answering basic questions about the accident, but you could say something that prohibits you from collecting all the compensation you deserve. You have the right to tell your agent you’re not answering a question if you’re not comfortable with it.
• Accepting the first offer: Your agent may send you a low-ball offer shortly after your accident, hoping that you accept it without considering your other options. Making this mistake could result in leaving a lot of money on the table.
• Signing a waiver or release: If your agent asks you to sign anything, review it in detail before putting pen to paper. You may soon find that they’re trying to trick you into signing something that’s not in your best interest.
• Don’t accept a check marked as final payment: At some point, you may accept a final payment, but you don’t want to do this until you exhaust all your options.

With so much happening after a car accident, such as receiving treatment for your injuries, it’s not always easy to devote the necessary time to making a car insurance claim.

If you want to avoid a mistake and protect your legal rights, consult with an attorney early in the process. Your legal team will work with you every step of the way, doing whatever it takes to protect your rights during this difficult time.