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Before Initiating your Auto Insurance Claim in Milwaukee

By: Kade Phillips, contributing writer at kanetix.com.

Well, the dust has settled, and the shock of the car accident that you had somewhere in Milwaukee has faded somewhat, and now it’s time to pick up and get going on the auto insurance claims process. Yes, it’s not the most pleasant thing you could be doing, but it must be done and it must be done right. After all, you’ve faithfully paid your car insurance premiums for years, and now it’s the insurance companies turn to do their part.

The following article walks you through the beginnings of the basic claims process, but if you are still unsure of anything, you should definitely contact an auto accident attorney who deals with the Milwaukee area for further guidance before proceeding.
 
As the auto insurance company that you use in Milwaukee should have been informed immediately after the incident, they will be aware that there is likely a claim on the way.

The first thing you should do, as soon as you are able, is gather all of your information regarding the accident. And we do mean all. You will have to be able to support your claim, and the stronger your documentation, the easier it should be to get the settlement that you deserve.

Hopefully, you took notes of where exactly in Milwaukee the accident took place, - the time and date of the accident, the other parties name, address and detailed insurance information, as well as the names and badge numbers of  police, witnesses and/or medical personnel if they were at the scene. A description of how the accident happened is required, and drawings and pictures of the scene can also be useful.

Additional required information could include receipts and bills regarding medical expenses and medical treatment that you underwent as a direct result of the accident, a report from your doctor or doctors may be necessary, as will a report from your employer if you lost time and therefore wages from work. Any additional expenses that you had as a result of the incident should be well documented as well.

It may even be wise to document the times and content of conversations held with your auto insurance company representatives, and it certainly would be wise to thoroughly review and understand the extent and limitations of the Milwaukee area car insurance policy that you purchased. Consider non-obvious insurance coverage also. Coverage like homeowner policies, “umbrella” policies, and some credit card benefits may be helpful to you.

When you have all the available information assembled to prove your claim, consider how much your claim will be for, and how much you would accept to settle. What may follow is a bargaining session between you and the insurance company as to how much should be paid out. Sometimes, the auto insurer may quickly offer to settle for an amount that you feel is unsatisfactory, and you may feel pressured to accept.

But, forewarned is forearmed, and, knowing a bit about the process will help you when it comes time to speak to the insurance adjuster and negotiate a fair and just settlement.

Your insurance adjuster will require a written or recorded statement from you regarding all of the details of the incident. You should make copies of all of your documentation, as it’s highly likely that the insurance adjuster will require some or all of the physical documentation of the details of your case. Make sure you find out exactly how much time you have to settle your claim, and don’t accept a “final payment” until you feel that the insurance companies obligations have been met. Once again, consult with a car accident attorney if you are at all unsure about anything.

Tell the truth, even if it’s not flattering. If you are caught lying, your claim may be denied and there may be even worse consequences to follow.

When you’re confident of your claim, and feel that you can back it up, it’s time to draft a “demand letter” to your insurance company. This will include all of the facts, expenses, damages and unique factors that make up your claim. Ask for the amount that you feel adequately compensates you for your losses.

Initiating your auto insurance claim in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a similar process in many other areas of the United States. It’s a process that’s best done carefully and methodically. But, as you can see, it’s just a matter of getting started and persevering until the process is complete.

Document everything, and good luck in your efforts.  


Kade Phillips is a contributing writer at kanetix.com,
Serving Milwaukee car insurance quotes / Auto insurance quotes Milwaukee.
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