How Do I File an Insurance Claim in Texas?
In Mesquite, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle on a public road without carrying vehicle insurance. There are minimum coverage amounts all drivers must maintain that will kick into action should an accident occur. In the event of a car accident, victims will seek damage recovery through the insurer of the at-fault driver. If you find yourself in this situation in Texas, here’s how to file your claim. When in doubt, call our attorneys for assistance.
Prepare Information Before You Make the Call: When you call your insurance agent, he or she will ask you a lot of questions about your accident. You need to gather the facts of your crash to be better prepared for your conversation. Get the name and contact information of the other driver, as well as the name of his or her insurance company and policy number. Record as many details of the accident as you can, including its location, how it happened, how many people were involved, and descriptions of any injuries or property damage. Get your police report number as well.
Call the Phone Number on Your Insurance Card: There should be a number on your insurance card specifically for filing new car accident claims. If you can’t find the number, perform an internet search for your company’s toll-free policyholder helpline. Call your insurer to report your crash as soon as possible. Insurance companies typically enforce tight deadlines for reporting your crash. If you miss your deadline, you could lose your chance to recover through your policy. You will speak with a representative of your insurance company about your accident. Your agent will guide you through the steps of filing your claim. Stick only to the facts of your case when speaking with your insurer. Do not speculate or make guesses as to who or what caused the crash. Do not admit fault or place blame on yourself in any way. Simply list the facts, such as how fast you were going, what direction both vehicles were traveling, and where the crash occurred.
Speak with an Insurance Claims Adjuster: A party might call you soon after your accident called the insurance claims adjuster, claims adjuster, claims analyst, or claims specialist. This person is a representative of the other driver’s insurance company and works for the company or for a third-party company the insurer contracted. The most important thing to remember during a conversation with a claims adjuster is that his or her goal is to save the insurance company as much money as possible. The claims adjuster may ask to record a statement from you. Politely decline. If you record a statement, the adjuster can and probably will use what you say against you later. You are under no obligation to agree to a recorded statement.
Wait for Further Instruction: After your conversation with the claims adjuster, days or weeks might pass while both insurance companies conduct their own investigations into the accident. In the meantime, your insurance agent may give you instructions about where to bring your damaged vehicle, where to seek medical help, and how to submit evidence of your crash for analysis. Once you hear from an insurance company about a possible settlement, talk to one of our attorneys.
Call Our Auto Collision Attorneys: A Mesquite car accident lawyer at Fielding Law can evaluate your case for free and help you understand the true value of what your claim could be worth. We can recommend settling your claim or holding off for a better settlement. We can also take your insurance claim to trial if necessary for maximum compensation. Our accident lawyers can assist you with the entire insurance claims process in Mesquite, from beginning to end.