At least you know that good insurance is supposed to support you. At least, that is what you pay it to do. Good insurance can still keep you up late, make you wait months for the right answer, or have you agree to procedures that protect the company’s interests more than yours.
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Speedy Assistance Isn’t The Same As Complete Assistance
That initial claim might go very quickly. The claim alert pops up on your phone. The polite representative calls you. You receive a detailed description of the subsequent action items. Everything appears well-organized. And that’s comforting, given all else has gone awry today.
However, that rapid processing of information also limits the scope of the claims process. Your goal is to fix your vehicle as quickly as possible. Their goal is to efficiently move along their own process. They don’t see anything wrong with moving your claim quickly while you’re stuck dealing with the aftermath of the collision (i.e., renting another vehicle).
You Won’t Realize These “Small” Phrases Will Ultimately Cost You Money Until Later
In many cases, insurance disputes arise due to language found in everyday conversation. When you respond to a question during a telephone call with your insurance provider with something like “I’m fine,” you mean it literally. When you accept a brief summary of your damages and injuries based upon some general statements made by your adjuster, you feel confident about the settlement. And although you may spend hours reading each word in an email sent to you by your insurance provider regarding your claim, you cannot bring yourself to fight with your adjuster about the meaning behind one particular phrase in the document.
Those “Small” Mistakes Can End Up Costing You Thousands
Many times, people choose to consult with a car wreck lawyer simply because they wish to have an advocate who reads through all of the documentation regarding their case with the level of detail that their insurance provider does.
Routine Activities Absorb The Shock Of A Collision First
The largest impact of a car accident is typically not the physical property damage caused by the accident. Rather, it is the aftermath. Your child now takes longer to get to school. Your work schedule suffers because you find yourself constantly on hold. What began as a minor headache or neck ache turns into weeks of poor rest and reduced tolerance for almost everyone. The financial implications of having a motor vehicle accident extend far beyond lost wages; examples include transportation expenses, unearned income, and missed deadlines.
Although your insurance provider may pay for part of your losses resulting from the automobile accident, they do not necessarily compensate you for the added burden associated with adjusting to a new normal.
A Closer Examination Can Help Avoid Unnecessary Complications
There are certainly situations in which your insurance provider will be beneficial in helping you resolve issues arising from an automobile accident. However, that benefit will only occur when you allow sufficient time for both parties to assess whether or not certain aspects of the agreement are in fact being met.
Take the time to review your policy documents again. Maintain accurate documentation. Take photographs of areas relevant to your claim more frequently than you normally would. Schedule medical appointments regardless of whether or not you believe you were injured in the automobile accident.
Ultimately, good insurance can provide value to you. Just do not let that good insurance dictate how things proceed.