How To Contact An Auto Insurance Company After An Accident

Being involved in a car crash is one of the most devastating things that could happen in your life. Even a minor injury can cause stress. You need to ask yourself if anyone was hurt in the accident. Are you injured? Is everyone able to get out safely? Is 911 being called? The first responders arrive. All participants are assessed for their physical health. All participants are required to make statements. Reports are prepared. What now?

Take Care with Your Words

It can be very difficult to control your emotions and keep your mouth shut in the face of the chaos that can result from an accident. It's not easy, but it is essential. Don't speak to witnesses. Do not speak in a way that allows anyone at the scene to understand what you are saying. Guilt can be as simple as a quick "I didn’t even see you" statement made minutes after the collision. EverQuote advises you to be cautious about what you tell any insurance agents.

Be calm and respectful when you call an insurance agent. This could happen as soon as one hour after the accident. Do not let your frustration and anger get in the way. You are the one in charge of the conversation, no matter who you're dealing with. While you can establish boundaries, it is important to be polite. Make sure to get the name and contact information of everyone you are speaking with at the beginning of each conversation. Get the agent ID number if he or she has one. Find out where he or she works. As you speak, take notes.

Don't allow others to talk over you or hurry the conversation. This is manipulative. It is a tactic of manipulation. Make sure you take the time to calculate and consult others before accepting any offer. You should be cautious if an offer is limited in time. This is a manipulative trick.

You can also do the math on your end

Insurance agents will almost always offer a low-ball deal. They have been known to show up at the hospital. They can't know your medical expenses if you haven’t left the hospital yet. Bohn states that medical expenses, property loss, and transportation expenses are all part of the measurable financial damage that can be calculated in a compensation claim.

It is essential to determine the liability of each driver's insurance company in order to receive the settlement you are entitled to.

The Five W's

It will be difficult to communicate with the insurance companies after the trauma of losing your car and possibly your health. It is within your rights to ask for time. Avoid answering any unwelcome or shady questions. Set up a time for you to meet and give yourself enough time to prepare. They will want to know at least the five W's, which are where (why, what), when, and who. Before you speak to them, decide what your answers will look like and how you will communicate them.

Remember that you have complete control. Both you and the insurance company have rights. It is within your right to expect that your insurance company will act responsibly in handling your case.