Auto crashes are prevalent all over the states, including California. Since auto accidents involve substantial damages to property and injuries to victims, they are often followed by consequences.

One of the aftermaths of being involved in an auto crash is settling with insurance companies. You will inevitably have to deal with your own insurance company and the other party’s insurance company as well.

Auto insurance companies can be very messy to deal with. Their claims adjusters, who are skilled negotiators, can hassle you, intimidate you, and persuade you to settle for the lowest amount possible, which is definitely unfair. They also mean to discourage you in getting professional services from auto crash attorneys so they can make you agree with their terms and conditions without difficulty.

Filing an insurance claim and negotiating with claim adjusters can be such a nuisance. To avoid unpleasant disputes with insurance companies after an auto crash, here are some guidelines regarding insurance claims:

• Contact your insurance company as soon as possible

• Review and understand your insurance policy. Determine what is covered by your insurance

• Know the full extent of your injuries and damages. Damages may include past and future expenses, such as, repair or replacement of a property, medical expenses, etc.

• Save receipts and bills for all expenses relating to the accident that may be demanded from the other insurance company and covered from yours

• Collect as much pertinent evidences as possible. This will help you prove your insurance claim. Having statements from witnesses will be very useful

• Take note of the insurance information of the other people involved in the accident, such as their names and contact numbers

• Keep a written account of all negotiations you have made with the insurance officers, agents, claim adjusters, and other people involved with the insurance claim. This way, you will remember what deals you have made and what you have discussed with them regarding your claim

• Be honest with the insurance investigators so that your claim is not denied for fraudulent reasons

• Do not admit to any fault. Just stick to the truth without asserting your opinion

• Do not sign any legal paper that is handed to you by the other insurance company. Wait until your attorney has reviewed the papers

• Do not let the time limitation in filing your insurance claims expire. All insurance companies impose a certain time period in filing claims after the accident

• Do not engage in any form of discussion with the claim adjuster of the other’s insurance company. If they call you, use the time to listen. You do not have to agree or argue with them.

• Never give an oral statement with the other person’s insurance company

• Do not rely on the estimates of losses the insurance companies tell you. Do an estimate of your own, or get the help of your auto crash attorney in evaluating this

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