3 Key Steps in Settlement of an Auto Insurance Claim | Inspektlabs

This post will cover some of the fundamental steps that you can expect to face when you file an auto insurance claim. We will explore the demand letters, evidence collection, and negotiation phases of the settlement process. Then, we will briefly discuss how much compensation you can expect and the factors determining it. Lastly, we will discuss how much time the process may take before concluding.

Introduction

If you are filing an auto insurance claim, you may wonder what key steps you will need to go through. Let us cover a few factors, such as demand letters, negotiation, and evidence collection. This post will cover these fundamental phases of making an insurance claim, and you will get a better idea of what to expect before you file a claim.

1. Demand Letter

Among the most fundamental components of the process is the demand letter, since the demand letter outlines the details of your claim. Include details of your injuries, the evidence depicting the damage to the vehicle, and other losses.

• The amount of your demand will depend on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, the cost of medical treatment, and any other losses you've suffered. Your lawyer will likely use previous verdicts or settlements as references to determine a reasonable amount for your demand.

• A demand letter can help speed up the insurance claim settlement process. The size of the insurance company also influences how quickly the company responds to a request for compensation.
• Typically, a larger company has more resources and time to respond to a request. However, smaller companies may not have the resources to respond as quickly as large insurance companies. If you're facing a lengthy response, a lawyer can help determine what's preventing the insurer from responding quickly.
• When you send a demand letter, you're setting a deadline for when you'd like the insurance company to respond to your request. However, some insurance companies may take longer to respond, and sometimes, a claim may take months.
• The amount of your demand should be sufficiently high to create an opening for negotiation with the insurance company.

2. Evidence

An insurance company will request evidence from you as part of the claims settlement process. This information can include depositions of eyewitnesses to the incident, and this process can take weeks or months. It can be challenging to coordinate the various parties, and you may need the help of a car accident attorney.

• Please be prepared to provide evidence when pursuing a car insurance claim. Insurance companies may request additional documents, such as medical bills, from you. This evidence can help corroborate your claim.
• However, it's essential to remember that the evidence requests are only one of the many factors that impact the timeline for auto insurance claim settlement.
• It is essential to document any injuries you sustained in the accident. You should also ensure that you receive proper medical treatment for your injuries and keep a meticulous record of such treatment. This evidence will be valuable in pursuing a fair settlement.

An indispensable part of the evidence is the vehicle condition reports. After an accident, it is critical to get your car inspected to establish an accurate record of the vehicle's condition. The insurance company will dispatch a surveyor to inspect your car and document the damages during the claims process. The surveyor will then report the findings to your insurer. This process can take too much time due to the availability of the surveyor, which further complicates the process. There is also some concern regarding the reliability of these car insurance inspections. Since the auto insurance claim process, including the inspection, is conducted by humans, it is thus prone to human error.

When auto insurers utilize tools like AI inspection and claims AI, such as those offered by Inspektlabs, they can drastically improve the reliability and accuracy of the claims settlement process. These new-age technologies do away with the redundancies of the manual inspection process, and they make it far more efficient and transparent.

3. Negotiation

You must know how to negotiate with your insurance adjuster to get the most out of your claim. In most cases, the insurance company will initially try to offer you the lowest possible settlement amount to save money. Depending on the circumstances, the insurance adjuster may convince you that you were at fault to get you to agree to the lowest offer possible. Alternatively, the insurance company may try to convince you that they are not entitled to pay a certain amount, stating that your claim is invalid or that the documentation you provided was insufficient.

• When negotiating with an insurance company, keeping detailed notes about your conversations with the company is essential.

• Also, insist on receiving written settlement offers and getting a signed contract.
• You should also seek legal advice to help you evaluate the circumstances of the accident and expedite the negotiation process.
• During the negotiation process, keep all documents organized and readily accessible. This documentation includes the accident report, bills for car repairs, other expenses, and photographs of the damage you're claiming. While retaining a physical copy of your records is preferable, having a digital copy is also a good idea to speed up the settlement process.

How Much Compensation Can You Expect?

Depending on the circumstances, a car insurance claim settlement can be a considerable amount of money. This amount can cover your repair, medical, and other expenses associated with the accident. The compensation you will receive for your car insurance claim will depend on your insurance policy and the severity of the damage. However, please remember that the insurer may try to underpay by overstating the level of fault in the accident.

How Long Does The Process Take?

Insurance companies generally have 30 days to investigate an auto insurance claim. This timeframe can be longer if you're involved in a severe accident. The process may also take longer if you have multiple types of coverage. It also depends on whether or not you've filed your claim quickly. Some reasons for delay can be the severity of the accident, a need for more investigation, or a high volume of insurance claims at the company. So, contact the insurance company to notify your insurer immediately. Once you've registered your claim, you'll receive a claim reference number from the insurance company, which lets you track the claim's status.

The time required to settle a car insurance claim can vary greatly. Some cases can be solved within a week, while others may take months. For example, an insurance claim involving personal injury will likely take longer to settle because it will require medical assessments and other evidence. Some states have enacted laws to set specific deadlines for insurance companies to process claims. So, it will be helpful if you read up on the local laws to equip yourself better when filing a claim.

Conclusion

Now you understand some of the fundamental stages of filing an auto insurance claim. You can use this information to prepare yourself for the process, which might help you navigate it better. Since insurance matters can be sensitive and complex, you may consider hiring an auto insurance claims attorney to guide you through the process.