Motor Vehicle Accidents - what to do if you need to make a claim!
The following information is important to remember if you are involved in a motor venicle accident. Of coures, personal injury or safety are at the foremost, and if you are injured, or someone else involved in the accident is injured, the most important consideration will be to care for the injured person. Following that, if there is a third party involved in the accident, we have put together a procedure summary for you. We have also attached our Glove Box guide for you to print and keep in your vehicle in case you need to refer to this in the future. This is a generic guide and not specific to any one insurance company.
PROCEDURE FOR OWN DAMAGE CLAIMS:
Where the vehicle is undriveable, have it towed to a place of repair and contact our office immediately. Make sure you have details of where the vehicle has been towed to, and a contact name and number of the tow company.
Where the vehicle is driveable, advise our office. Depending on your insurer we will either give you a claims hotline number, or send you a claim form.
Unless otherwise instructed, repair accounts will be settled directly with the repairer by your insurers. Settlement of claims in respect of vehicles, which are deemed to be a total loss, will be made according to ownership at the time.
PROCEDURE FOR THIRD PARTY PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIMS:
If a Third Party is at fault and the claim is below your deductible or your do not wish to claim under your insurance, proceed as follows:
1. Obtain a quotation for repairing your vehicle
2. Send a letter of demand and the repair quotation to the third party.
3. Keep a copy of the quotation and the letter.
4. If the third party pays the cost of repairs the matter is settled.
5. If they ignore the letter of demand, you should send a second letter about seven (7) days after the first one.
6. If they ignore the second letter, we advise referring the matter to your solicitor.
Remember, keep a copy of our Glove Box Guide in your vehicle, and give us a call if you need help or have any questions regarding motor vehicle insurance.