The Perils Of Insurance Claims

Your worst-case scenario - your beloved, trusty car has been in an accident. You have no transportation, and no way to be sure you'll ever get her back in running condition. But, you have insurance, so everything should be ok, right? You calm down and call your agent. But then they tell you that it's the claims department you need to call. Now you start to worry again. What's the best way to deal with a claims department?

Don't worry too much. Submitting a car insurance claim does not have to be a major life decision. Reputable AA car insurance agencies have developed processes that are generally quick and reliable. They have learned over years that they lose too many customers if their process is unfair or too difficult and they know that there is plenty of competition.

Agencies usually develop relationships with body shops and other repair shops in your area. They will know who does good work for an honest price. Your insurance company will ask you if you have a particular shop you'd like to work with, but it's usually best to go with their suggestion. If it is a shop they have a relationship with, they may be able to take care of the entire process by phone.

In fact, you may have very little to do with the whole process. Most claims are processed \"behind the scenes,\" with the insurance companies and shops doing all their work, and then simply asking you to authorize the work. Many times, all you have to do is sign the repair order.

Still, you need to protect your own interests. Before you sign that order, talk to the repair shop and make sure that they have carefully assessed the damage. Sometimes a small problem has a larger problem lurking beneath it. Also, when you pick up your car, inspect all of the work, and make sure nothing is left undone. It is very difficult to convince the shop and the insurer that a problem is related to the accident once you've driven the car away.

And as long as you are in this position, think about your auto insurance. Good auto insurance is worth its weight in gold. You can save a few dollars on your premiums, but how much is that worth when you're fighting a claim for months on end, or a claim is denied altogether?

There are some agencies that outsource claims to a third party. This is especially true if the damage to your vehicle is significant and a decision to replace rather than repair is made. These third parties make their pay by keeping the cost down. If you are in this situation, prepare yourself for their ploys. Know the value of your vehicle in the area you live. There are many online resources that can help you or you can talk to the loan department of your banking institution.

Take heart though when submitting a car insurance claim. Most agencies have straight forward claim processes and will be more than helpful as you work through a difficult time. If you don't get the great service you expect, vote with your feet and take your business elsewhere.

By: Steve Johnson

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