Handling a Total Loss Vehicle Claim
A total loss auto accident can range from a disastrous collision to a small bump, depending on the value of the vehicle. Either way, a total loss accident can be a complicated process for motorists. To help you understand what to do to ease filing a claim, read on.
- Report the claim to the insurance agency as soon as possible
At the time of the accident, you may not know if the damage is bad enough to write off the vehicle. In some cases, the extent of the damage is apparent. In others, it isn 't. Be sure to call your insurer and let them know you have been involved in an accident so that they can get started on the claim.
- Have the vehicle towed to your insurance company 's preferred shop
Most insurance companies have a few appointed shops they work with directly. Towing your vehicle to one of these shops can help to speed up the claims process.
Make sure you know where the car 's title is as soon as you think your vehicle is a total loss. If you have lost the title, file for a lost title at the DMV right away. If the vehicle is a total loss, you will have to sign the title over to the insurance company.
If you have a loan on your vehicle, check to see how much you have left to pay. If you have gap insurance, you can fall back on this to help cover the remaining expenses. Total loss claims are not paid out based on what you owe but on the actual cash value at the time of loss.
Total loss auto accidents can require quite a bit of paperwork. An agreement needs to be reached on the payout amount of the totaled vehicle. If you have a loan on the vehicle, you may need to sign a power of attorney document which will transfer ownership of the vehicle to the insurance company once the loan is paid off.
By following these steps, you can breeze through a total loss claim. For the
auto insurance you need, talk to the team at Kneller Agency. Serving Hudson, Valatie, Millerton, Red Hook, Millbrook, and neighboring cities, we can help you find reliable car coverage.
