A few years back, I was having some construction work done on my property. I asked the contractor a few “what if” questions. “What if he can’t finish the work?” “What if one of his employees gets hurt?” “What if the building burns down during construction?” After a few of these questions, it was pretty obvious that he was getting tired of this “what if” game. He said, “I’m not really into ‘what ifs.’” My response was, “I’m sorry. I’m an insurance guy. ‘What ifs’ are my stock in trade!”
Insurance is all about “what ifs.” What if something bad happens? What if I’m hurt? This article, while not covering every single “what if” might be out there, will hopefully give you a little guidance on what to do if some of these “what ifs” become reality for you. In A Car Accident The first “what if” I’ll deal with is what if you are involved in a car accident? There are two different types of auto accident: a solo accident (with one car) and a multiple-vehicle accident. If you happen to have an accident, there are a few things you can do to make sure that all bases are covered, and that your interests are best represented. THE VERY FIRST THING TO DO is to make sure that everyone is okay. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Seconds count. I have actually had situations where someone was in a car accident in which someone was hurt, and they called me first. When someone is injured, medical help needs to be secured right away. The vehicles can wait. Once everyone is taken care of, it is important to find out who all of the parties are. Find out who all of the drivers and passengers are in the respective vehicles. Make every effort to get their insurance information and their personal information. In the event that someone is unable to give you their information because of injury, or if they’re unwilling to give you the information, use your phone to take some pictures. Whether or not some claims get paid can hinge on those involved getting information at the scene of the accident. While it is really difficult to keep your head when you’re in an accident, making sure that you have a game plan in place will help you to get the maximum amount of information to your insurance company. If you have youthful drivers, have a conversation with them about what they need to do in the event of an accident. Young people can feel intimidated and scared when confronted by an aggressive person after an accident. Talk to them about the best way to handle those situations. Once the injured people have been taken care of, all of the vehicles are off of the road, and you are in a position to talk, THEN call your insurance representative. It is not necessary that you call your insurance person immediately after the accident. Sometimes adrenaline is flowing and the rush starts to wear off after the accident. Take your time. Collect your thoughts. It will be okay! When I speak to folks after an accident, I will want to know 1) was anybody hurt? 2) who was driving? 3) were there any passengers? 4) what happened? 5) when did it happen? 6) who was in the other vehicle (both driver(s) and passengers)? 7) what was the year, make, and model of the other vehicle(s)? 8) who is the other party(ies) insurance providers? And 9) were the authorities contacted? If so, which agency? (usually CHP or local sheriff/police). If you get all of this information, you are WAY ahead in getting a claim handled quickly and professionally. Once you’ve collected this information, a claim is then submitted to your insurance company. In the case of a multiple vehicle accident, there are several things that start happening all at once. Your insurance company starts gathering and verifying the information submitted to them. They normally initiate contact with the other party(ies) insurance company and they start comparing notes. The other insurance company may or may not have spoken to their insured, so they need to get their side of the story. They will also try to secure a copy of any police report to see what they have to say about the accident. This process can take a few days. It can often be frustrating when you’re trying to get your life back to some semblance of order to wait, but it’s an unavoidable part of the process. The way to help speed up the process is to make sure that you quickly respond to your insurance company when they request information. Failure to give timely information can slow down you getting your settlement. In the event that you were found “not at fault” in accident, your insurance company will initiate a process called “subrogation.” Subrogation is essentially the process of them trying to get both their money back, and your money back. If you had a deductible, your insurance company will make every effort to get it back for you. They also go after the money that they paid to you to either repair your vehicle or pay medical bills, if applicable. Lots of stuff goes on behind the scenes! During the process, an agent can be a great resource. They can oftentimes help explain what’s going on, and they can also be your advocate in the event that there is some confusion between you and your claims adjuster. This is part of the value of having an agent. People who have had claims with an agent, and those without an agent GREATLY prefer the security of knowing that someone is in their corner watching out for them. In the coming days, I’ll be doing a few more “what if” articles. Hopefully this will give you some guidance on how to handle situations that could otherwise be VERY trying. If you have questions about claims procedures, contact your insurance professional. If your insurance agent is not willing to spend a little time answering your “what if” questions, it’s time for a new agent! This article is not meant to replace advice from an insurance professional who knows your specific situation. If you would like more information about how we can help you handle the “what ifs,” give us a call at (661) 946-4224.
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AuthorDave Owens, Owner/Agent. I have proudly served in the Insurance Industry for over 20 years. Archives
October 2019
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