We often see people try to take advantage of our customers after an accident but there are steps you can take to avoid being a victim:
Avoid using a tow truck that just shows up at the scene of the accident. They often take your vehicle to a shop that charges high fees and may not have your best interest in mind. If your car needs to be towed, it’s best to take it home or to a shop that you trust.
Get a dash cam. We often hear customers tell us that the other person is lying about how the accident happened. This can lead to unnecessary costs because the company can’t confirm one version over another. A dash cam is your best way to avoid this. I use the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2.
Avoid uncertainty when giving a statement to a claims adjuster. You always want to be truthful when giving a claims statement but if possible, avoid using words that are uncertain or unclear. For example, you want to avoid phrases such as “I don’t think it happened like that” or “I am not really sure.” That could put you at an unfair disadvantage if the other person claims to be certain of what happened.
At the scene of an accident make sure you take lots of pictures. In particular, you want to take a photo of damages to both cars, how the cars were positioned at the time of impact (if safe), and a copy of licenses, registrations and insurance. The more information you get, the more you avoid surprises down the line.
With accidents, nice people finish last. Always treat an accident “business-like.” Exchange information and call the police if the other party is not cooperative or you suspect DUI. And never ever agree to have the other person fix your car. 9 out of 10 times it does not work out for different reasons. And be careful with people that plead with you to be nice…in the end, they will often take advantage of you.
And of course, always reach out to your insurance agent to talk to you about your specific situation. They have a lot of experience and have seen it all. If you are our customer, please call us at (323) 773-4429 to talk to a claims specialist.
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