ADVICE FROM CONSUMER ADVOCATE STAN GREYSON
Talking to Insurance Companies
WHY YOU SHOULD BE CAREFUL WHO YOU TALK TO
Most insurers require that you contact them immediately following an accident. Many policies include language that requires you to contact them, “as soon as practicable” but a good rule of thumb is to contact your insurance company within 24 hours of an accident. With regard to reporting associated claims, you’ll have a bit more time. Typically at least two years for bodily injury, property, collision, and comprehensive claims. For example, in Texas, you’ve got two years to file bodily injury and property claims, while in Rhode Island you’ve got three years to file bodily injury claims and up-to ten years to file property claims. 11 You’ll need to confirm the statute of limitations in your state, but my advice is act well before the first anniversary of your accident.
Most insurance companies want you to start your claim as soon as possible, but it often makes a LOT of sense to wait until after you’ve talked to a lawyer before filing your claim. First, you’re not an expert at filing insurance claims. Hopefully, this is your first accident and it makes a lot of sense to get advice from someone who does it almost every day. Second, many accident injuries don’t materialize immediately. In fact, according to the National Institute of Health, many accident victims don’t experience musculoskeletal problems immediately, but will eventually deal with their residual effects for 10–15 years after a car wreck. 12 If you immediately file a claim and then discover an injury later you might miss out on coverage from your insurer.
At the very least you should be prepared to give your insurance company the name, address, and telephone number for the other drivers. As well as, the time, date, location of the incident. Hopefully, you were able to exchange insurance information with the other driver and if you did you will need to share this with your agent. You’ll also need to provide information about the responding law enforcement personnel and copy of the police report.
It is very likely that you’ll be contacted by the other driver’s insurer regardless of who was at fault for the accident. In our experience, it almost NEVER makes sense to talk to them. If there is any potential that any party to the accident might file a personal injury claim it is VITAL not to discuss the accident. You should always leave all communication to your lawyer or your insurance company’s adjuster. Remember, the goal of the other driver’s insurance company is to pay you less. Don’t help them.
As a subscriber to Wrecked on Medium, I want to share a free copy of my book Wrecked: How to WIN Your Personal Injury Claim. Download it here for free: https://autoaccident.expert/
