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Car insurance tips for successful claiming
If your car is stolen, insurance companies expect you to report it very
promptly, as this increases the chances that the police may retrieve the stolen
car, thus avoiding an insurance claim being submitted against the insurance
company. In the case of a car accident, the damage is obviously done – yet you
are still obligated to report the accident to the police station nearest to
the accident scene.
Review your car insurance cover annually.
This is very important. Your situation may change from year to year, hence it is
quite possible that such changes may affect your insurance premium and
level of cover.
Be sure to notify your car insurance company
should you have a change of address, or if
your location of work changes. If you start
using your already-insured personal vehicle
for work purposes, or “business usage”
it is vital that you inform your insurance
company about it. Failure to do so could
result in a rejection of your insurance
claim, should you be involved in an accident
during working hours.
Don’t make repairs before official inspection.
Don’t make any major repairs to a damaged
vehicle without first having it inspected by
an official inspector of your
insurance company. If you fix the car
beforehand, your insurance company may well
refuse to pay for the repairs as the damage
hadn’t been assessed.
Be present when inspection takes place.
Always be present when an inspector assesses your car’s damage. Be sure to point
out all damaged areas and explain how the accident happened.
Make notes of all discussions.
Make detailed notes of everything that
gets discussed; between the two vehicle
owners involved in the accident, as well as
everything discussed with the insurance
company’s vehicle inspector.
Don’t agree to unfair settlements.
If you feel that a settlement is unfair, question it and lodge a query with your
car insurance company.Get more than one quote for repairs.
Some unscrupulous car mechanics may bump up their repair quotes if they are
aware of the fact that it is an insurance claim, as opposed to a private one.
Getting at least three repair quotes will quickly show you whether a mechanic is
charging too much money, and further strengthen your car insurance claim.
Be sure, however, to get quotes from
authorised vehicle dealers or service
agents only. Failure to do so could result
in your car’s warranty being declared null
and void.
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