What To Do On Your Vehicle Claim (Step-By-Step).

1. First, call the auto insurance company (claims office).  (If you have "collision" coverage on your own auto insurance policy, we recommend that you use your own auto insurance company for your vehicle repair or vehicle total loss claim to avoid costly delays and unfair partial payments (ex: 50%-50%).  If you do not have "collision" coverage on your own auto insurance policy, then you have no choice but to call the insurance company on the other side).  If you do not have the insurance company's claims office telephone number, check with us.
   
   
2. Regardless of which insurance company you decide to use for your vehicle claim, ask to speak to the person assigned to "vehicle repairs or vehicle total loss" (sale) on your vehicle claim.
   
   
3. Next, give the person your "claim number" if you have it.  (If you do not have your claim number, check with us).
   
   
4. Tell the person that your lawyer has already authorized (and directed) the insurance company, in writing, to deal direct with you on your vehicle claim, but not on the injury claim.  (Tell the person to check their file to prove to them that we authorized and directed them, in writing, to deal direct with you on your vehicle claim.  Otherwise they will not deal with you, and that will result in unnecessary delays.)  No matter what, do not describe how the accident happened and do not talk about your injuries!  Contrary to what most clients believe, you are not required to describe how the accident happened outside the presence of your lawyer in order to get your car repaired or paid for! Insist that your lawyer be present with you, or on a conference telephone call with you when you describe how the accident occurred!
   
   Note: In most cases, an "appraiser" will contact you later to schedule an "inspection" or "appraisal" of your vehicle.  An "appraiser" is not an insurance "adjuster".  The "appraiser" is an expert on vehicles, and may not even work for the insurance company.
   
   
5. No matter who you deal with, tell the person that you want your vehicle "inspected" and "appraised" immediately.
   
   
6. Tell the person when and where to inspect and appraise your vehicle.  You are not required to take your vehicle to them for inspection and appraisal.  So don't do it!  You can make them come to your home, office or to the storage facility or anywhere else where your vehicle is located to inspect and appraise your vehicle.  (If your vehicle is in storage, then cooperate with any request of the insurance company representative to get your vehicle out of storage.  Otherwise, you may be forced to pay for the storage yourself, lose ownership of your vehicle  altogether, lose your driver's license and you may not be able to get a tag (plate) for your next vehicle until the storage bill is paid according to the law.)
   
   
7. Tell the person that after they have "inspected" and "appraised" your vehicle, you want a written copy of the "repair estimate and appraisal" (if your vehicle can be repaired) or an "appraisal and market survey" (if your vehicle is a total loss).