This blog is for those who have car insurance, have been involved in an accident and are now looking for information on how to file a car insurance claim. This blog is not about what car insurance is, its benefits, its costs and types, what is covered and what is not, etc. If you are interested in that information, you need to read: The Who, What, When, Where and Why of Auto Insurance
In addition, it is also advised that you read this guide: How to Respond to an Accident
How to lodge a claim?
First up, you need to know that the following would differ somewhat from company to company but on the whole all of them have these requirements:
Required documents
Keep these documents ready before calling your insurance representative:
- Insurance policy copy
- CNIC copy
- Drivers license copy
- Car registration copy
The surveyor will need to attach them to the insurance claim form.
What happens next?
Once you have gathered together these documents, call your car insurance company. They’ll ask you where you live and based on it will assign you an area representative who will then contact you. By the way, it is likely that this person is also the surveyor.
Once you’ve made contact with him, the surveyor will ask you your preferred dealership for body work. If it’s on your insurance company’s panel, the company will give you a green signal, otherwise they’ll advise you to go to a certain dealership.
On a decided date, go to the dealership where you’ll find the surveyor. He will survey your car for all the damages at the dealership. He will then record his observations in the insurance claim form. In addition, this form will contain information on the actual or total repair cost, including the amount that you would have to pay out of your pocket.
It is important to mention that some aspects of the accidents would be completely covered by your insurance policy such as denting and painting. For parts repairing or replacement, how much you’d have to pay out of pocket will be determined by your car’s model and how long you’d been holding the insurance policy. For example, a new car’s parts may cost you 10% of the total cost for the first year, etc. Once again, all of this would depend upon your insurance policy.
Once the surveyor has filled the entire form, he will give it to you to sign. Once you sign it, it’s between the insurance company and the dealership.
You will be asked to leave your car at the dealership for the time you’ll be notified of. Pick it up on the agreed date on which you’ll find it in a repaired state. Once again, the surveyor will be there. Once you are completely satisfied with the repair work, the surveyor will take pictures as evidence of its repair work.
It is at this point that the surveyor pays the dealership for the work. You may either pay the surveyor at this point for the money you owe to the insurance company or pay directly the same amount to the dealership.
In general, this is what happens when you file for the car insurance claim.
Have you had the experience of filing a car insurance claim? Share your experiences in the comment section, especially if you have any tips for our readers.
Leave a Reply