Experiencing a car accident is more than just an inconvenience – it’s also a serious financial setback. Not only will you need to cover repairs to your damaged car, but you might also have to deal with other expenses like medical bills, missed wages, and more.
You may be able to recover some of these financial losses by filing a claim through your auto insurance provider, depending on your circumstances. However, it’s important to keep in mind that insurance companies have a vested interest in minimizing car accident damage claims to protect their own bottom line. Below, we’ll go over some valuable tips on how to talk to insurance after a car accident to protect your right to recover compensation.
How Do No-Fault Laws Work?
Individuals living in no-fault states, such as Massachusetts, are required to carry no-fault auto accident insurance. Under this system, those who are injured in car accidents can pursue compensation from their own insurance provider regardless of who caused the crash. Damages recoverable through no-fault auto insurance typically include medical bills and some lost wages.
When to Contact Your Insurance Provider about a Car Accident
It is advisable to alert your car insurance provider about an accident as soon as possible, but it is beneficial to wait until after you’ve talked to a car accident attorney before contacting insurance.
If you experience an accident that doesn’t cause any damage or injuries, then you don’t need to report it to your auto insurance provider.
Types of Insurance Claims
Know Your Rights
When you file an auto insurance claim for accident damages, you are entitled to prompt and fair processing. If your claim is denied, then you have the right to know why you were denied. You can request that your insurer provide you with a written explanation as to why you were denied.
If your insurance provider denies your claim because they determined that you are “at-fault,” certain states require the insurance company to notify you of the decision. You also have the right to file an appeal if you disagree with the decision on your auto insurance claim.
The best way to avoid a lengthy and potentially devalued claim is to stick to the facts of the accident and how it occurred when talking to insurance after a collision.
How to Talk to Insurance after a Car Accident: Related Blog
What Not to Say to Insurance Agents after a Car Accident
At the end of the day, your insurance provider’s goal is to make a profit. In fact, throughout 2020, auto insurers collected over $30 billion in windfall profits. With that in mind, insurance providers may minimize or deny claims where possible. For that reason, knowing what not to say to insurance agents after an auto accident is just as important and knowing what to say.
If you slip up and say something that admits or implies liability on your part, or which minimizes your losses, your insurer could use that to justify denying or greatly reducing your claim. When you speak to any insurance agent or provider after a car accident, you need to be careful with your words.
Here are a few key phrases that you should avoid using when speaking to insurance after a collision:
- “The accident was my fault”
- “I made a mistake”
- “I’m not that hurt”
- “My injuries aren’t that bad”
- “I don’t have a lawyer”
Otherwise, do your best to be honest about what happened and the losses you’ve suffered.
If you have questions about your coverage or how to handle repairs, reach out to CarAccident.Law for assistance.
Do You Need Legal Help after Your Massachusetts Accident?
If you were injured in an accident and are considering filing a claim against the at-fault party, you’ll need to know how to best communicate with your insurance provider. For more advice on how to talk to insurance after a car accident, schedule a consultation with CarAccident.Law now to get in touch with one of our best car accident attorneys today.
