If you’re ever in a car accident, the car might be damaged enough that the cost of the repairs starts to get close to what the vehicle is worth, and sometimes more than what the vehicle is worth. Alternatively, the insurance company may have the option to declare it a total loss even if it could be repaired. Both situations will declare the vehicle as a total loss. The following guide offers advice for navigating the insurance claim process, which can be tricky in these situations.

Do:

If you have a loan on the vehicle, find out if you have GAP coverage.

If you still owe money on your car’s financing plan at the time of the accident, filing for total loss can be tricky. Luckily, if you have gap coverage, the difference between what is being offered and what you still owe is often covered in full by your GAP coverage. You will also need to know or you can ask an appraiser if you have negative equity or positive equity. If you have positive equity, you would want to collect the amount above the loan pay off amount and in that situation, using GAP coverage would NOT be the best choice for you.

Do:

Look up the extended warranty and other added coverages.

Those whose purchased additional coverage protection like an extended warranty need to know this. These contracts are often refundable which means that you’ll receive a pro-rated refund for the amount of the unused warranty. This refunded money could go into your pocket or could be used towards the purchase of another vehicle.

Don’t:

Accept the insurance offer without reviewing and questioning it.

Unfortunately, insurance company settlement offers don’t always offer you a fair deal. In fact, most consumers say that insurance companies aren’t offering what is fair. Therefore, when you receive an offer for the totaled car, don’t just take it and run. Options that you have include negotiating the offer with the insurance provider by yourself, trying to find a lawyer for help, and most consumers with full coverage insurance don’t realize the third option of using a certified appraiser service like WreckExpert.com. In this case, WreckExpert.com can appraise your vehicle’s value plus they can even represent you and negotiate the settlement for you.

Don’t:

Wait to take action if you are injured.

When it comes to a car wreck, you should go to get checked out by a doctor immediately after it happens. Records of your injuries and treatment will become part of the auto claim. You should understand that some doctors only treat you by offering pain medicine to cover any pain. X-rays are often taken to see if anything is broken. Chiropractors often provide better treatments for inured clients. Chiropractors have a goal to improve spinal motion and improve your body’s physical function by treating skeletal and soft tissue systems as a result of car wreck injuries like whiplash and more.

 

When you are dealing with a total loss auto claim, turn to WreckExpert.com for help. Their team has 20 years of experience helping drivers get the guidance they need and the compensation they deserve. With their insurance insights and expert appraisal services, you can feel confident using them to challenge an insufficient settlement amount. To learn more about their offerings, visit their website or call (913) 444-4636 to speak with them.