As an insured car owner and homeowner, you have several duties under your automobile and homeowner insurance policies.
For example, you must cooperate and assist with the claim. You must send your insurance company any legal papers you receive relating to the claim. You must have a physical examination with a doctor chosen by your insurance company at their expense (if they ask you to). You will also have to give them permission to obtain your medical and other records.
Most policies also require that you provide prompt notice of the accident or the homeowners claim, including the time, place, and circumstance of the incident. Most auto policies require the names and addresses of any injured persons and witnesses – no matter who is at fault.
Here are a few tips to keep everything organized.
Gathering Evidence
In the case of an auto accident, you must gather all of the necessary evidence. This includes obtaining as many witness names and addresses as possible, contacting the police, filing an accident report, taking pictures of your vehicle, quickly obtaining medical treatment, and taking down as many notes about the accident as possible.
There are also specific pieces of information you’ll want to make note of. For instance, it is essential that you gather all of the facts involving the accident, including the date, time, where the accident occurred, and all of the events leading up to the collision. Also make note of the impact and what happened to you in the vehicle when the accident occurred.
More Note-Taking Tips
In the event that the other motorist was negligent, take down notes as to how or why this is true. Mark down all of the things that the negligent driver did that were unsafe.
Here are some common examples:
- the driver was not paying attention
- the driver never slammed his brakes or sounded his horn
- the driver was on his or her cell phone or was texting
- the driver violated a safety rule like failure to assure a clear distance, failure to yield, or speeding.
Capture any remarks that the negligent driver told you. Always take photographs that reflect the damage to your vehicle and the negligent driver’s vehicle.
Homeowners Tips
In a homeowners claim, make thorough notes about all of the items that were damaged and capture many pictures to illustrate the magnitude of the claim.
We also frequently ask our clients to take a video of their home to reflect all of the damages and losses sustained. Video is very effective at demonstrating the true impact of the situation.
Need Help with a Home or Auto Claim Issue?
Have a legal question relating to your home or automobile insurance claim? The Law Office of Tom Somos, LLC is here to help. Click here to ask a question.
