How to File a Property Damage Claim
Most auto accidents involve personal injuries and property damage. Property damage may include damage to your vehicle and personal property inside the car at the time of the accident. There are several reasons why someone would need to file a property damage claim. For instance, the most obvious reason is that if your car was damaged in an accident, you want to get it repaired as quickly as possible. While you wait, you’ll likely need a rental vehicle. In this blog post, I will discuss the process of filing a property damage claim with the liable party’s insurance company.
Filing a Property Damage Claim
Personal injury claims can take weeks or months to get resolved. On the other hand, property damage claims are easier to prove and can be settled much faster. This is because the cost of automobile repairs is a fixed amount. This means that in most cases, you won’t have to wait more than a few days while your car is being repaired. Property damage claims can normally be handled with a few telephone calls and emails. Your discussions with the auto repair shop and claims adjuster don’t have to be in person. Other than emailing or faxing some repair estimates, your claim can be handled solely by telephone. Make sure that you keep summaries of your discussions with claims adjusters organized. Keep track of all the relevant information on your claim because it is crucial to have this information readily available to successfully pursue a property damage claim. To file a property damage claim, you must call your own insurance company. There are several reasons why you need to contact your own auto insurance company. Most insurance policies include language requiring you to inform the company of any accident regardless of fault. If you don’t tell them, they may be within their right to deny your claim. Also, if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may have coverage under the uninsured or underinsured motorist or UIM portion of your insurance policy. If the damage to your car is minor, you may not want to wait for the other driver’s insurance company to act. Simply check your deductible since your deductible may be as high or higher than the actual cost of repairs. Another important reason to call your insurance company is in case the other driver denies liability and alleges the accident was your fault. Once you file your claim, the adjuster’s responsibilities include coordinating with you and the auto repair shop to get your car repaired. When your car is damaged, you have a right to have it brought back to the condition it was in before the accident that includes having the repair shop installed the same type and quality of parts that were on your car before it was damaged. Those parts are commonly referred to as OEM or original equipment manufactured parts. If you don’t insist on OEM parts, the claims adjuster may only authorize cheaper generic parts.
Third Party Claims
In addition to calling your own insurance company, it is important call the at fault drivers insurance company as well. Call the other drivers insurance company to file a claim. Your claim will be assigned to a claim’s adjuster. Make sure you get your claim number. For future reference, this type of claim is referred to as a third-party claim. The other driver is considered the first party and his insurance is the second party. if you live in a no-fault state like Florida, you’re required to carry personal injury protection insurance or PIP. However, keep in mind that PIP doesn’t cover property damage, PIP only covers personal injury.
Speak with a Personal Injury Attorney Today!
We have dealt with nearly every type of personal injury case imaginable. Not all personal injury law firms in South Florida are the same. If you are wondering who the right attorney is to assist you with your injury, there are several factors to think about. Our attorneys are experienced, have a proven track record of success and they work extremely hard for our clients. At the Law Offices of Suarez and Montero Car Accident Attorneys, you are never just another file or claim to us—you are part of our family and your well-being is just as important to us as if you were our own family. Our car accident lawyers work with investigators, witnesses, and experts to obtain all the essential details of any accident to help put you in the best possible position to obtain compensation for your injury and damages. Our attorneys are ready to provide proven legal representation in pursuing your claim and stand ready to protect your rights. We are available 24/7 to give you a free, no risk case consultation.
We help clients throughout South Florida including those in the following areas:
Miami-Dade: Aventura, Coral Gables, Doral, Fontainebleau, Hialeah, Homestead, Kendall, Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Lakes, North Miami, Tamiami, and Westchester.
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