| Total loss claims are filed when a vehicle has been so | | | | Being Honest Will Help |
| badly damaged that it would cost more than it`s | | | | The truth is that an insurance company is looking for |
| worth to repair it. However, just what that worth is | | | | holes in your story. There are a lot of people who |
| depends on how the car insurance company sets | | | | just make up problems to try and get the insurance |
| their standards, so you`ll need to know what this is | | | | money, so understandably, it`s something that needs |
| ahead of time. | | | | to be carefully researched. |
| What You Will Need | | | | It`s important not to lie as you go through the |
| First, you will need to have a police report. When the | | | | process of filing a claim. Even embellishing the facts |
| accident occurs, the police should be called | | | | can be a risky business, it will be assumed that |
| immediately and an accident report will be drawn up. | | | | everything you have been saying could be false, so |
| In the case of serious injury (which is quite common | | | | watch it. If you are confused about things and the |
| in total loss claims), you will need to get a copy of | | | | details of the accident, it`s a better idea to let people |
| the police report after the fact. Nearly all car | | | | know where things are fuzzy, as opposed to |
| insurance companies will disallow damages that have | | | | inventing it. |
| no report, especially when it comes to a total loss | | | | What Happens to a Total Loss |
| claim, since an accident that big should definitely be | | | | If your car is completely destroyed and the insurance |
| marked down by the police. | | | | company can replace it for less than the repairs |
| It's important to call the insurance company as soon | | | | would be, chances are the vehicle will be declared a |
| as possible after the accident, whether you call | | | | total loss and you`ll be given a replacement vehicle. |
| yourself, or have someone phone in for you. This | | | | This should be as similar as possible to your original |
| ensures that they are aware of the problem and will | | | | car and in the same or better condition. However, |
| be ready to proceed once the paperwork has been | | | | keep in mind that you can reject the new car and |
| filed. A file for the incident will probably be opened at | | | | the insurance company will give you the money they |
| this point, awaiting any other information that you | | | | would have spent on a replacement, instead. This is a |
| can gather. | | | | whole other process, but keep in mind that it is |
| After the fact, as soon as it`s possible, you will need | | | | possible. |
| to write down your own statement of what | | | | If your car is a total loss, file your auto insurance |
| happened. This will help the insurance company | | | | claim as you would normally and make sure that you |
| process your claim and most won`t move forward | | | | have all the paperwork possible. Keep notes on all |
| without an accident statement, so make sure you | | | | things pertaining to the accident and be honest, to |
| get it out as soon as you can. Try to include anything | | | | ensure there are no problems with processing the |
| and everything that could be relevant, since this is | | | | claim. Should the car insurance company rule in your |
| not a good time to make judgments. The insurance | | | | favor, you`ll be presented with a replacement vehicle |
| company will make the call on how important each bit | | | | or the money to replace it. |
| of information is, just get all the details down. | | | | |