If you happen to get into an accident that wasn’t your fault. It can be hard to know how to navigate the claim process.

Each insurance claim is different, and each company may have different guidelines in regards to what they need to have compensated.

Several car insurance claims go unprocessed because of clerical errors. Continue reading to learn more about car insurance claim mistakes you’ll want to avoid.

1. Prolonged Filling Of Claim

While you may be shaken or uneasy after an accident. You must not delay in contacting your insurance company. The incident must be reported within 24 hours. This is one of the common car insurance claim mistakes.

If you do not contact your insurance company within 24hrs, you may violate your policy. Failure to reach the claim filing deadline will result in your claim being denied by the insurance company. 

2. Insufficient Documents For Your Claim

If you want your insurance company to settle your claim. You must provide proof that you were not at fault. Always keep in mind to obtain car insurance claim documents.

Take plenty of photos of the accident scene. Close-up images of the damage should be included. Including full-view images of the scene.

It is also critical to document the location, road conditions, and license plates of all vehicles involved. Then immediately present all images of the accident and the resulting damage to your insurance company.

3. Failure To File A Police Report

In minor accidents, you may believe that contacting the police is just another chore. If anyone was hurt in the accident, you must call the police as soon as possible. You have a 24-hour window to do this.

Filing a police report is not only beneficial but is also required by law. Hit-and-run accidents, traffic fatalities, and foreign vehicles must always be reported to the authorities.

In the event of an accident, comprehensive auto insurance protects you. However, the insurance company may deny your claim if you fail to file a police report on time.

4. Unlicensed Drivers

Your car insurance policy may not cover you if you allow an unlicensed driver to operate your vehicle. If you are involved in an accident with an unlicensed driver, your insurance company may deny your claim.

To avoid being stranded without coverage, make sure that all the drivers listed on your policy are licensed. If you let someone borrow your car who is not listed on your policy, be sure to add them as a temporary driver.

5. Making Early Admission Of Fault

This can be detrimental to your claim as it allows the other party to prove that you were at fault. If you are unsure of who was at fault, it is best to wait until the police have investigated the accident before making any admissions. Another mistake is not contacting your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident.

If you are not sure what else to look into when filing an insurance claim, check this out.

Avoid Car Insurance Claim Mistakes

There are many car insurance claim mistakes that can be made, but these five are the most common. By taking the time to understand the process and having all the required documentation, you can avoid making these mistakes.

If you do find yourself in a situation where you need to file an insurance claim, be sure to contact your agent to quickly get started on the process. By taking these steps, guarantee that you’ll be fairly compensated for any damages to your vehicle.

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