Insurance claims processes is, far too often, a misunderstood area in the automotive industry.
When claiming insurance for your motor vehicle, knowing how to handle the intricate steps will increase the speed of the claim procedure.
Car accidents is a common event in which insurance claims are made. If you have been in a car accident, you need to maintain communication with your vehicle’s insurance company. When doing so, it is important to check-off the information relevant to claiming your car insurance. This will prevent you from missing out on any vital steps and increase your chances in get your car insurance company to pay for any car damages, that have originated from the accident.
‘Car insurance’ is a contract agreement between you and the vehicle insurance company. Having car insurance means that you will pay the premium, while the insurance company pays your losses by covering property, liability and medical coverage. In terms of property, property coverage pays for any car damage or car theft. Car owners therefore have specific rights in insurance policies, but the Sectional Title Act legislation allows trustees to arrange and deal with insurance claims.
Trustees must negotiate premiums, rates and excesses, on behalf of the body corporate. However, trustees must first possess an understanding of the claims ratio and guided by the insurance company agent. Documents signed by the body corporate is only legally binding when signed by one or two trustees, and the managing agent.
Here are a few crucial rights to take into account, when following through with the process of car insurance claims.
When dealing with insurance claims, you have the right to:
#1 Call your car insurance agent immediately after the car accident.
#2 Review your coverage, before communicating with the insurance agent.
#3 Record notes of your conversations with insurance company representative, along with their name, job title, contact number and manager’s name.
#4 Have more than one insurance policy that covers a claim.
#5 Take photographs of the damaged vehicle, injuries and accident environment.
#6 Provide detailed facts to avoid having your coverage denied.
#7 Request that your car insurer helps you to understand the difference between replacement coverage and cash or depreciated value.
#8 Not settle a personal property loss for cash value, if the policy provides replacement coverage.
#9 Keep all receipts relating to the time consumed in making your claim or recovering from injuries, from the moment of the covered event until the final insurance settlement.
#10 Have your insurance claim reviewed by an accident attorney.
Car accidents are one of the most common causes of minor car damages and car injury in South Africa.
Although car damages can be resolved by the vehicle’s car insurer, you need to be aware of your rights when dealing with insurance claims and consider the delegated managing agent. This will guarantee a controlled and structured car insurance claim process – especially if unaware of the claim’s starting procedure.
Avoid time consuming processes and speed your way through your insurance claim. Knowing the process will help you manage your auto expectations, as not everything is a claim.
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The above information is simply a guide and does not change any laws, rules and regulations, as stipulated in the South African Sectional Title Act or any official information related to motor vehicle insurance.