What Happens After a Car Accident and How Appraisers Work with You

After a car accident, one of the first things you should do is call your auto insurance provider. Your agent is your go-to solution. They will work with you, the police, and the appraiser to ensure repairs happen quickly. Consider for yourself some of the benefits of their service.

It is important for you to follow the guidance your agent provides. There may be specific shops to visit for repairs trusted by the insurer. The process does not have to take long. However, it has to be complete.

Right After Your Accident
As soon as an accident occurs, stay where you are and call an emergency line, i.e. 911. This should include medical care if you need it.

You also should document what happened with the police department. Get a police report. Gather the insurance and contact information from the other driver. Then, call your car insurance agent. He or she will help you to determine what to do next. This may include towing your car if you cannot drive it. The goal is to ensure your vehicle gets into the shop as soon as possible to determine necessary repairs.

The Appraisal
Your appraisal is documentation of what happened and what damage occurred. The insurer will often use a professional to perform this inspection. In some cases, the appraisal company will come to you. Otherwise, some insurance companies now allow individuals to take photos to send in.

Most significant damage requires careful inspection. The appraiser will likely have you bring the vehicle to their location. They will then examine it extensively. They will only look for damage related to the car accident. If your car needs an oil change, for example, this is not a part of your claim.

The appraiser is working with the car insurance company. He or she does not work for you. In short, their job is to determine what type of damage is present. Then, the appraiser will determine how much it will cost to make the vehicle safe again. The value goes to the auto insurance company at this time. The insurer will then determine if it will pay for the repairs. If it decides to total the car, the insurer will instead pay you what the vehicle is worth prior to the accident.

Working with your car insurance provider is important. You want to be sure this company is able to help you get a fair estimate for the amount of work necessary to get your car back on the road.