How to Dispute a Car Insurance Claim

If you own a vehicle, chances are that you will need to file an insurance claim some time or another. Even if you are an excellent driver with a clean driving record, other drivers may cause you to have losses. Similarly, if you get into an accident with another party and they claim that you are at fault, it is pertinent that you have all the information required to dispute the erroneous claim. Learning the basics about what you need and how to proceed with the claim will make a big difference on the outcome. 

What You Need to Dispute an Insurance Claim

• Independent appraiser
• Witnesses from the scene
• Accurate statements
• Mediating party

Independent Appraiser

You will need to have an independent appraiser because the other party will try to claim as much as possible for their damages and losses. In order to protect yourself from an unprecedented insurance claim, your own appraiser is highly recommended. When dealing with a sensitive issue like car accidents and subsequent damage, it is important to have an expert who can tell you exactly the cost of repairs. If you simply rely on the insurance company’s appraiser, you will have no grounds to dispute the amount.

Witnesses from the Scene

Before you file a dispute about a claim to your car insurance policy, be sure to have witnesses to support your side of the story. At the scene of any vehicular accident, it will work to your advantage to obtain the contact information for any witnesses. Even if some are reluctant to give you their information, make sure that the reporting officer on the scene takes an accurate statement with all the details. 

Accurate Statements

When disputing a car insurance claim, the most important thing to avoid is to give contradicting statements. Make sure that your side of the story is clear and concise because any discrepancies will be used by insurance agents to pick you apart. Also, if you are lucky enough to have a witness or two on your side, also be sure that their version coincides with yours. One of the best ways to dispute a car insurance claim is with accurate and reliable testimony. 

Mediating Party

If you are confused about how to proceed with an insurance claim but want to close the case as soon as possible, a mediator may be called in for assistance. A mediating party will help you review the appraiser’s report and offer suggestions on how to resolve the matter. The advice given is from an expert in the field but does not bind you in any way. The mediator will merely offer their opinion on the best option for your situation but you are not obligated to follow their instruction.

The Final Step: Arbitration

If all else fails with witness statements and mediators, another step you can take is arbitration. This is similar to the mediation process but there will be an attorney involved with the claim. The only downside is that once a ruling has been set in arbitration, you must comply with the terms set within the final decision.

Article Written By: Diana Lee (dWriter729)

URL: http://dwriter729.quazen.com/recreation/autos/how-to-dispute-a-car-insurance-claim/