Take care of your compensation
Broken glass and beyond, part 2 The real problems often start when we are trying to get compensation from an insurance company. What to do then?
Broken glass and beyond, part 2
Read also: Don't Make Mistakes! (Crash and Beyond Part 1)
A collision on the road is undoubtedly a stressful situation that portends trouble. However, the real problems often start later, when we are trying to get compensation from the insurance company.
Insurance companies try to lose as little as possible when compensating for damage caused by traffic accidents, car owners try to ensure that insurance covers the losses incurred as much as possible. This type of conflict of interest usually means that both parties will fight hard for their cause. What to do in order not to lose money on car repairs after an accident and receive the maximum possible compensation from the insurance company?
1. Hurry up
Settlement of the claim must be at the expense of the offender's insurer. We must, however, inform him of the incident. The sooner you report a collision, the better. You usually only have seven days to do this, although this may vary from company to company.
2. Provide the required information
Insurance companies require specific information about the accident. The most important document is the recognition that the collision occurred through the fault of the culprit of the accident. In addition, his identification data is required - name, surname, address, name of the insurance company, policy number, as well as our personal data. A police report identifying the perpetrator of an accident can be very useful - the insurance companies do not question him, which is quite often the case with a statement of guilt written by the perpetrator. A damaged vehicle must not be repaired or operated until it has been inspected by a specialist.
3 month
The insurer has 30 days to pay damages. If it doesn't meet the deadline, we can apply for statutory interest. However, the decision on their award is made by the court, which, as you know, can take some time.
4. With or without cash
Insurance companies usually use two types of payments: cash and non-cash. In the first case, their appraiser assesses the damage, and if we accept the assessment, the insurer pays us the money and we repair the car ourselves. The second method, more recommended by experts, is to return the car to a workshop that cooperates with an insurance company that covers the invoice issued by it.
5. Watch the prices
Before repairing a vehicle, a damage assessment must be carried out. This is usually the first stage in which conflicts arise between the insurer and the driver. The insurance company's assessment of a claim often turns out to be much lower than we expected. If we agree to the offer, we will have to cover the difference between this amount and the invoice from the workshop ourselves. If, in our opinion, the car is promised a serious repair, and the damage is underestimated, ask for an expert opinion from an independent expert (cost PLN 200-400) and present it to the insurance company. If the assessment is not further confirmed, all we have to do is go to court.
6. Collect documents
Throughout the claim process, always ask for copies of the vehicle inspection documents, pre- and final appraisal, and any decisions. Their absence may hinder a possible appeal procedure.
7. You can choose a workshop
Insurance companies often leave some freedom in choosing a workshop that will take care of our car. If we have a new car, we will probably be stuck with the services of authorized services due to the current warranty. Authorized retailers, however, can bill you for a pretty hefty repair bill, and it's not uncommon for insurance companies to try to pass some of the cost on to us, citing the concept of depreciation of parts. Sometimes it is more profitable to use the services of a good, but much cheaper mechanic, although this applies more likely to cars that are no longer under warranty.
8. Be careful about buying a car
If a vehicle is damaged to such an extent that it is unprofitable to repair it, insurance companies often offer to buy it back. The appraisal is again carried out by an appraiser working with the company, who tries to prove the maximum possible damage. If we do not agree with the quote, we will use the services of an independent expert. Even a few hundred zlotys will have to be paid for such a service, but often such a procedure still pays off.
Compensation from the Guarantee Fund
The purchase of a third party liability insurance policy is mandatory and applies to all drivers. It happens, however, that the person responsible for the collision does not have the necessary insurance. In this case, the possibility of covering the repair costs is the Guarantee Fund, created at the expense of payments from insurance companies and penalties for non-purchase of civil liability insurance policies. Compensation is paid from the fund both if the culprit of the damage does not have compulsory insurance, and in a situation where the culprit of the accident is unknown. We apply for a payment from the fund through any insurance company in the country that provides third party liability insurance, and by law such a company cannot refuse to consider the case. The insurer is obliged to investigate the circumstances of the accident and assess the damage.
The Fund is obliged to pay compensation within 60 days from the date of receipt of the notice of the event. The deadline may change if a criminal case is initiated. Then the indisputable part of the benefit is paid by the fund within 30 days from the date of notification, and the remaining part - up to 14 days after the end of the procedure.
If the cause of the collision is not identified, for example, the driver fled the scene of the accident, the Guarantee Fund pays compensation only for bodily injuries. If the perpetrator is known and does not have valid civil liability insurance, the fund will compensate the eligible person for bodily injury and property damage.
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