Accidents may happen, they can be fender benders or even major ones. But, thankfully, a good motor insurance policy helps you in alleviating the financial stressors, which arise from a car accident.
In case you have comprehensive coverage, you have the option of filing a claim for covering the damages occurred to your vehicle no matter you are responsible for the accident or not.
However, if you own a third-party plan, then it is essential to remember that the other party or other driver involved in the incident are covered under the policy.
While looking for the best option, car insurance compare Dubai is something you should always practice.
What all Accident Claims can I Make?
Answer to this is easy, the moment you come to know that you are required to make a car insurance claim, all you need to do is find out which one would you be claiming- own damage claim or third-party claim.
1) Own Damage Claim
The own damage claim means that you will be making the claim against your comprehensive coverage. You must contact your insurance provider and provide them all the details regarding the accident and they will take care of everything else.
The company will appoint a proper adjuster for making sure that all your needs are taken care of. Keep in mind that you may end up forfeiting your No-Claim Discount (NCD). While renewing your next auto insurance, it will begin at zero percent again.
Your insurer will assess you depending on your risk profile. They record your accident history for making decisions related to your policy.
2) Third-Party Claim
If the authorities find out that you are not at fault in the case of an accident, you may make a third-party claim automatically on the damages caused from the other driver or party associated with the accident. This means your NCD stays with you.
For doing so, you can either submit the claim with the insurer of the third-party who is at default, or you can submit your claim to your own company and let them handle it for you.
How to Make a Claim for Car Theft?
Getting involved in an accident is obviously dangerous and inconvenient. But, you know whats more inconvenient? Your car being stolen. That is practically a nightmare!
However, if you possess a comprehensive policy, rest assured, you may claim for your car theft. After you have filed a police report and informed your insurance provider about the loss, the best option is to remain patient as the insurer will carry out thorough investigations before disclosing the result. Always remember false claims are no funny!
On average, a victim of car theft may expect the payout in around 6 months. If the vehicle that is stolen was found before making the compensation, the owner will take his car back and the insurer will have to take the responsibility for making repairs for restoring the car back in its working condition.
However,
If you find your stolen vehicle after the compensation is made, the vehicle goes under the insurers ownership, after all, your insurer has already completed the compensation process.
What All Do I Need to Stay Clear About While Making an Auto Insurance Claim?
In order to help you in figuring out the procedure for claims for both a comprehensive plan or third-party liability, we have listed the dos & donts.
Dos
- Keep the Information Regarding Your Insurance Handy
At the time of the accident, even the small ones, it is normal for any human being to get nervous or frazzled. During such a situation, it may become hard to scramble & look for the information related to insurance.
Hence, note down the emergency contact number given by the insurance company, such that you can request for towing or roadside assistance immediately.
Having a set of highway patrol numbers (of the highways you use most often) must be written down. Make sure you keep a hard copy of all these details in your vehicle- at a place from where you can easily locate- such as the dashboard. Also, save it on your mobile phone, just in case.
- Write Down Accurate Information
When you consider filing an insurance claim, either from your own insurer or the insurer of the third party, you will have to write down some important details.
Get the full name of the other driver, ID card number, number on the license plate, insurance provider, address, policy number, and contact number.
You might have to provide this information to the third party too.
However, if you arent comfortable in providing your personal information such as your phone number or address, consider reporting to the police & exchanging the information in the presence of an officer.
In case the other driver is reluctant on giving out the information, do not challenge them. This instruction is for your safety.
Instead, you must try and record as much information regarding the vehicle of the other party as you can. This information can include model, color, cars make, and license plate.
You can even click photographs if you can. Head to the closest police station and lodge a police report.
- Go through the Insurance Policy Thoroughly
Obviously, this advice is the best to apply before the occurrence of the accident. In fact, you must go through your policy before applying for it.
This is to be done so that you know what you can claim for (example temporary car replacement, regular cash allowance) & more importantly, what all is not covered in your policy.
For instance, not every auto insurance plans offer complimentary towing or they might only provide free service for certain kilometers.
If you have assumed that something is being covered while it is not, you will have to make payment for it from your own pocket.
In case you are not clear about the details of your plan, email or call the insurance company for clarification.
- Informing the Insurance Provider or Agent Instantly
E-mail or call your insurance provider or agent for giving them the details regarding the incident as soon as you can.
In case you are confused about what should be done next, that is, the exact process of filing a claim or more, you ask them for a step-by-step process.
If you need to get your car towed, arrange a list of the panel workshops that are the nearest and approved to send your vehicle to.
Through all this, you can get your vehicle fixed at minimum extra expenses, that too in the minimum possible time.
- Saving all the Documents and Receipts
Keep the original copies of the medical bills, police reports, towing services, mechanics receipts, and other important bills safely.
Based on your insurance plan and what all you have the permission to claim for, you may need to submit more documents as support.
Making soft copies of all these documents is a good idea.
Donts
- Do Not Admit Your Fault
If not all, then most policies, warn you against admitting your fault. Doing so can make your claim become void.
The best option is to state the order of events just as you remember them. However, skip giving an opinion regarding whose fault it was to the police, the third-party, and in fact the onlookers.
It is natural that you may be in a state of fear or shock after the occurrence of the accident. Some people might even admit to the mistakes they havent really made. The third-party may sue you for the damages you have not even caused, and even worse, these damages may not be covered by your policy.
In case you have a comprehensive plan, it may cover your litigation costs partially for defending yourself if the third-party has filed a suit against you.
Long story short, try and stay calm and always remember to stick to the facts.
- Stay Calm, Do Not Fight or Argue
Whenever an accident takes place, tempers may flare. This is a common reaction in case of accidents. However, allow cooler heads to prevail and keep your calm. Such situations may unnecessarily escalate and cause more damages and dangers.
If any damage is caused to your vehicle or the vehicle of the other party, stop the car at the side of the road or the emergency lane, where it is not in the reach of the traffic and most importantly safe.
Make a conversation calmly, avoid yelling, casting blame, or scolding the driver in the other car. Keep in mind, that he or she may also be equally panicked just like you. You would, of course not, want to make an already tense situation even tenser.
Before calling for highway patrol assistance or a tow service, make sure that no one is seriously injured or need medical attention. After this, simply go ahead with exchanging the insurance details as advised above.
- Do Not Delay- File the Claim Within Time
It is important that you move instantly with your insurance plan after an accident has taken place. As mentioned above, you must inform your provider or agent immediately.
Moreover, getting the ball rolling with the claims is also a smart move, especially when you want to get it processed & released sooner.
You will have to fill the claim form and submit it along with the hardcopy of receipts and other documents. In case you have been injured in the accident or have been hospitalized, notify your provider and request them for an extension. You can ask for the help of your friends or family in submitting the claim.
In a Nutshell!
Now, that you know all the dos and donts while filing a car insurance claim, you can conveniently and accurately file your claim.
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