Auto Insurance Do’s and Dont’s in Michigan
Auto Accidents on the road are a reality thus car owners in Michigan are required under the law to purchase a comprehensive car insurance policy. The primary reason for this is, so car owners or drivers have enough financial support to cover for damages, loss, or injuries in case of an accident. But filing for an insurance claim may be a long and complicated process. For most people, the nuances of making sure that the claim goes through can be more bothersome than helpful.It’s common, therefore, for people to have a lot of questions and apprehensions about insurance claims, especially since most car owners and drivers try to avoid being in this predicament. However, if you’re faced with this problem, then it might help to keep a few of these do’s and don’ts in mind.
Do obtain the contact information of the other party in the car accident.
Following the accident, you must be able to obtain the name, phone number, email address, home address, and insurance details of the other party, who may also likely ask for the same information from you. You may also obtain the contact information of witnesses to validate or corroborate what may have happened during the accident.
Do see a doctor and have yourself checked.
Even if your injuries are minor and you don’t feel much pain after the accident, the best person who can determine if you’re actually okay is a doctor. You may also be advised to watch out for symptoms that may appear several days after the accident.
Do document everything.
Photos or videos of the accident, the damages to the vehicles, as well as the injuries on your body will be helpful to speed up your claim. If there’s proper documentation, from both parties if possible, then the insurers will have a better idea of the extent of the damage or injury. Additionally, keep car repair receipts, mechanic’s estimates, doctor’s receipts and recommendations, drugstore receipts, and other pertinent documents related to the accident. You may need to supply copies of these to the insurance company.
Do keep a copy of the accident report from the traffic police.
This is another important document that should be attached to your insurance claim. However, you need to make sure that the details of the accident report are accurate and truthful. If there are discrepancies or disputable information, then the accounts of witnesses may help. You may also have to ask the traffic officer to amend the report. However, in some cases, a lawyer might be required for this situation.
Do inform your insurance company.
Let your insurance company know about the accident. Even if you might not want to file a claim, it’s still prudent to inform and discuss the case with them because you might be able to have other options.
Do observe honesty.
If the accident was your fault, it is better to be upfront about it to your insurance company. If you’re worried about how this will affect your claim, then perhaps reconsider looking for a different insurer when this is all over. Understand that filing a false insurance claim is considered a felony in the state of Michigan. You should not risk staining your reputation, landing in prison or paying the $50,000 fine.
Don’t delay with filing your claim.
Most insurance companies impose a limitation on when you can report the claims and you might be denied the coverage if you did not do this promptly, especially for accident injuries. It might look suspicious to insurance adjusters if you waited to file the report. But sometimes, injuries don’t immediately appear. You can still support your claim by presenting evidence that you did seek a doctor following the accident and was advised of the symptoms of a delayed injury result.
Don’t negotiate directly with the other party.
While nobody likes to drag this process, it would still be better to follow the procedures established by the insurance company when collecting a claim. Better yet, contact a lawyer to guide and assist you in getting the best compensation you deserve.
Don’t accept or settle the claim right away.
Despite the insurance company’s well-intention to help you out, they still exist as a business, and their adjusters’ job is to lower the payout as much as possible. Before you sign anything, talk to a lawyer and go over the offer first. Similarly, you should not accept any cash or check payments, as well as sign any documents, until you have sorted everything out with your lawyer. You cannot end your claim if you still have ongoing treatments for your injuries.
Do contact an experienced auto accident attorneys.
Don’t let yourself be taken advantage by insurance companies trying to give you an unfair settlement and trying to trick you. Let us deal with your insurance claim while you rest and recover from the accident. We will be waiting for your call! You can contact us online or give us a call for a free consultation at (517) 347-6900. We charge no fees unless you win!