| In order to avoid these unhappy scenarios it is | | | | as well. This is the guide insurance companies will use |
| important to be an informed consumer and know | | | | to determine the value of your car and any others |
| what to expect from the insurance claim process. It | | | | involved in the accident. If the cost to repair your car |
| is also important to gather the evidence you will need | | | | exceeds is Kelly Blue Book value the insurance |
| if a dispute were to arise. Being prepared is your | | | | company will declare the car a total loss, and your |
| best defense against shoddy service and lowball | | | | recovery will be limited to the value of the vehicle. |
| offers. | | | | Knowing how much your car is worth will help you |
| | | | | make an intelligent and informed decision, and it will |
| Document the Scene | | | | protect you in case the insurer tries to lowball you. |
| One of the best things you can do when there is an | | | | |
| accident is take lots of pictures. Fortunately, getting | | | | You can fight back against a lowball offer by using |
| pictures of the damage is easier than ever, thanks to | | | | not only Kelly Blue Book but other resources as well. |
| the proliferation of cell phone cameras and other | | | | Things like classified ads for cars of the same model |
| digital devices. Take pictures of the damage from as | | | | and year, and the price of cars on your local dealer |
| many different angles as you can, and take lots of | | | | lots, can help you fight back against an unrealistically |
| pictures of the other car as well. Also take pictures | | | | low settlement offer. |
| of the surrounding area, including the street where | | | | |
| the accident occurred. Documenting things like | | | | Time is On Your Side |
| blockages in the street or a fallen tree branch can be | | | | When it comes to dealing with a car insurance claim, |
| very important in reconstructing what happened and | | | | time is on your side. Often if you have the resources |
| determining who was at fault. | | | | to wait it out, you can get the car insurance |
| | | | | company to raise the amount of their settlement. |
| Get Estimates | | | | That is because car insurers, like other businesses, |
| After the accident is over it is important to get | | | | need to close their books, and having a large number |
| several estimates for the repair of the damage to | | | | of claims outstanding makes that process difficult. If |
| your car. In some cases the insurance company will | | | | you are able to wait for the payment you will be in a |
| require you to obtain an estimate from one of their | | | | better position than if you need the money right |
| affiliated body shops – go ahead and get that | | | | away. |
| estimate, but get other estimates as well. This will | | | | That is one of the reasons why building an |
| help to protect you in case a dispute arises. When | | | | emergency fund makes sense. An emergency fund |
| getting your estimates, always ensure that the body | | | | protects you not only from job losses and |
| shop uses genuine replacement parts and not | | | | unforeseen medical expenses, but from things like car |
| remanufactured or gray market parts. Only genuine | | | | insurance claims as well. Having an emergency fund in |
| parts will provide the protection and security you | | | | place allows you to purchase or rent alternate |
| need to drive your car safely. | | | | transportation while you fight it out with your |
| | | | | insurance company, and that allows you to negotiate |
| Know the Value of Your Car | | | | from a position of strength. |
| Getting a copy of the Kelly Blue Book is a good idea | | | | |