- 1). Document as much about the accident as you can while you are still at the scene. If you have a digital camera or a cell phone with a camera, take pictures of the vehicles, including both far away shots of the cars and the surrounding area and close-up shots of the damage to each vehicle. This photographic evidence can be very valuable to the adjuster assigning liability in the accident.
- 2). Get copies of any police reports that were filed at the time of the accident. If a Georgia state patrol or a township officer responded to the scene, you can obtain a copy of the police report by calling the precinct. Also get copies of any witness statements, as well as the names and contact information of anyone who may have witnessed the incident.
- 3). Obtain several estimates for the repair of your vehicle. Your insurance company may have a preferred body shop, and they may require you to get an estimate from them. But there is no law against you getting additional estimates on your own. Keep copies of the repair estimates with your photos, witness statement copies and other accident documentation.
- 4). Contact the insurance company for a status on your claim if you have not heard anything within a week of filing the claim. Ask if there is anything you can do to move the process along. Offer to submit the photographs, police statements, witness statements and other documentation if you have not already done so.
- 5). Look up the value of your vehicle in a reliable source like the Kelley Blue Book. Knowing the value of your car is essential, since it will help determine how much the Georgia insurance company offers if your car is considered a total loss.
- 6). Review the initial offer carefully and combine the amount on offer to what it will take to fix your car. Accept the offer if it covers all of your costs and out-of-pocket expenses. If the first offer is not satisfactory, be prepared for some back and forth with the car insurance company. You are in a much better position if you can bargain from a position of strength, especially if you have the money to obtain temporary transportation while your car awaits repairs.
- 7). Work out as many details about your claim as you can by working with the insurance company directly. If your negotiations fail and you feel you are being treated unfairly, you can file a complaint with the Georgia Office of Insurance through their online form.
SHARE
