Although small fender vendors may not seem like a big deal, you should still notify your insurance company if you are involved in an accident. Sometimes what appears to be a minor crash can turn into a serious legal claim. Letting your insurance company know about the accident in a timely fashion can help you avoid potential issues with notification that may result in a denial of your claim.
Whether you are using your own insurance company or someone else’s in a fault state, you should still contact your own insurance company to let them know what happened. If you have any problems with your insurance company, a Boston car accident lawyer can help you through the claim process.
When to Notify Your Insurance Company
There is no need to call the insurance company immediately after the crash, but you should inform them promptly. Many insurance policies contain language that inhibits your ability to use coverage if the company is not reported within a specified timeframe. Many times this is within 72 hours of the accident. There are situations where you may not be able to notify your insurance company due to injuries or incapacitation, but you should contact them as soon as practical.
Is Notification Necessary After Every Accident?
In minor accidents, it is tempting to avoid notifying your insurance company altogether because of concerns about rates going up or other related issues. However, this is generally not a good idea. Failing to report may put your entire claim at risk.
There are a few situations when notification is always recommended. These include circumstances where:
- Anyone suffered injuries because of the accident
- There is significant property damage caused by the accident
- The other driver was not driving legally
- The accident involved a pedestrian or bicyclist
If you think that you may want to file a claim, you should always notify your insurance company. In fault states, if you get the impression that the other driver or passengers will file a complaint, notification is always a good idea. In fact, the default should be to notify your insurance carrier.
Talking to Your Insurance Company
Some drivers get nervous about speaking to their insurance company because they worry that the things they say will be used against them later. This certainly can be true, but, when you are speaking to your own insurance company, it is important that they have all of the facts. Explain how the accident happened, who is involved, whether there are witnesses, and describe any property damage. If you know there are specific injuries, be sure to tell your insurance company what you know about those injuries.
If you are speaking with an opposing party’s insurance company, giving too much information can be detrimental to your claim. Share the basic information, but you do not need to go as far into detail.
Once you speak with your insurance company about the accident, you should receive a follow-up letter that explains the details of your claim. If you do not receive such a letter within a few days, contact your insurance carrier’s claims office to ensure that the claim has been filed.
Whether you are dealing with your own insurance company or someone else’s, having a Boston car accident attorney on your side can be very helpful. Contact Jim Glaser Law today at 781-689-2277 or fill out our online form to request a free case evaluation.
