10 Questions to Ask the Insurance Company After a Car Accident

Dealing with car insurance is one of the last things accident victims want to do. But it’s a necessary step in claiming the compensation that you need for your injuries. Knowing which questions to ask your insurance company after an accident can help you present a strong claim.

At some point, you may encounter pushback from your insurer. If the company refuses to fairly compensate you for your losses, you will need an experienced Connecticut car accident attorney to assist. Count on the legal team at Barry & Spinella, LLC to advocate for you.

What does my car accident insurance pay for?

You need to understand the basics of your insurance policy and the types of losses that it will cover. Your actual coverage may be higher, but Connecticut law requires drivers to carry at least the following liability coverage, which generally pays for covered losses you cause to others:

• Up to $25,000 per person for bodily injury
• Up to $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
• Up to $25,000 in property damage

The insurance company should be able to explain the details of your coverage and where it is indicated in your policy. Ask which coverages you have and what each may pay for, such as vehicle damage, medical payments coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist losses, or other applicable benefits. In the event something is not covered by your insurance, you may be able to file a claim against the at-fault party’s insurer.

How long do I have to file a claim?

The deadline to file an insurance claim is not necessarily the same thing as the statute of limitations, which is the deadline to file a car accident lawsuit against the at-fault party. Your policy should clearly state how long you have to file with your insurance.

You should make sure you understand what has to be sent to the insurance by a certain date. For instance, you may need to submit copies of your medical bills with your claim by a specific deadline. So make sure you know what must be sent and when.

What do I need to send to the insurance company?

Find out everything the insurance company needs from you, including:

• Medical records like doctors’ notes, referrals to specialists, and bills
• Proof of lost income from work due to your accident
• Pictures, videos, and other physical evidence from the accident scene
• Police accident reports
• The names and contact information of any eyewitnesses

In addition to knowing the deadline to submit these, you should determine which items are mandatory under your policy versus optional. It may not be wise to send things not strictly required under your policy. Also, ask how exactly you send these items, by email or otherwise.

What will I be responsible for?

Policyholders are typically responsible for certain financial obligations, such as deductibles, before insurance coverage applies. There will also likely be certain damages or losses that your policy excludes. The insurer should be able to readily explain these items to you.

Once you have a better idea of what insurance will not pay for, you will know what sorts of losses should be included in a car accident lawsuit. Keep a record of these items so you can discuss them later with your car accident attorney.

Have you determined fault yet?

Knowing who the insurance company is blaming for the accident is important. If the insurer believes you caused the wreck, even in part, you may receive less than your claim is worth. The insurer may even deny your claim altogether.

Insurance companies often look for reasons to dispute fault, damages, or coverage, which may reduce what they pay. But just because your insurer thinks you caused a car accident doesn’t mean it’s true. If your insurer tells you it believes you are liable, speak with an attorney.

Do I have to call the at-fault driver’s insurance company?

Asking this question can give you a better idea of whether and to what extent your insurance company will help you. If by this point in the conversation it’s clear that your insurer is not going to fairly pay you, then you may have to ultimately go after the other driver’s insurance company.

Our law firm can help with this challenging process. Not only can we handle your communications with the at-fault party’s insurer, but we can take care of negotiations and other matters so you can focus on your recovery.

Will my auto insurance rates go up?

This is one of the most pressing concerns that accident victims have. In Connecticut, your insurer generally cannot surcharge you for the first or second accident in the current experience period if you were not at fault and were not convicted of a moving violation, though your overall premium may still change for other reasons. But it may increase if you were partially at fault or you have a history of car accidents.

Your insurer should be able to provide some details about how the accident affects your premiums. Meanwhile, a car accident lawyer can work to challenge allegations of fault and potentially prevent a rate hike.

How will the value of my vehicle damage be determined?

You will want to understand the method your auto insurer uses to calculate the value of your vehicle damage. Insurers will usually pay for a vehicle up to its value or will declare it a total loss if repair costs exceed the value. Either way, your insurance company should provide some clarity about this, so be sure you take notes.

When can I expect a claim decision?

Knowing the likely timeline of your claim isn’t just a matter of managing your own expectations. It’s also important because it will tell you whether the insurer is handling your claim promptly. If the insurer causes unreasonable or unexplained delays, this may be evidence of unfair claim handling or bad faith. As a related question, you can ask about common delays in processing claims.

Are you recording this call?

You need to know whether the insurance company is recording your call, which it may have told you at the start of the conversation. Insurers often record calls so they can find something to use against the policyholder later. It’s about protecting their bottom line, not you.

On a related note, you should be cautious about what you say to the insurance company (especially if it’s being recorded). Seemingly harmless statements can be taken out of context. Don’t apologize for the accident or speculate as to anything, even your own condition. For example, don’t say “I’m fine” because you may not know the extent of your injuries.

We can help with your insurance

There may be additional questions to ask, depending on the nature of your car accident. Speak with the car crash lawyers of Barry & Spinella, LLC to learn more about your rights and recovery options. You can connect with us today to get started.