Regardless of your lifestyle and income, it’s incredibly important to get insurance to help protect you and your family. Health insurance is essential for situations such as paying medical bills, and home insurance are helpful if you live in an area that might face flooding and other adverse weather effects. However, insurance isn’t something that we encounter on a daily basis. In fact, many of us purchase insurance but never actually use it. Still, when a time comes that we can actually make a claim, we’re glad that we invested in insurance.
But how do you know if you’re getting the maximum settlement for your claim? Are there ways to get more out of your settlement, and what are some ways to increase the amount you’re getting when you experience an accident?
Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/OQMZwNd3ThU (CC0)
Record everything and provide documentation the whole way
One of the best ways to ensure that you’re getting the maximum settlement is to ensure that you record as much information as possible so that you have more evidence for your claim. By providing everything from witness statements to doctor’s notes, the insurance company can give you a more accurate number for what you’re entitled to.
Don’t hesitate to request information from third parties as well, especially if it’s related to medical documents and similar information. You should also check your phone to see if you’ve taken any pictures or recorded any data that could help your case.
When in doubt, hire an adjuster
The purpose of a claim adjuster is to help you get the maximum settlement for your insurance claim. A claims adjuster works with your insurance company but they’re typically employed by a separate entity, meaning they have no relation to your insurance company. This can help give you peace of mind knowing that they’re independent.
A claims adjuster can be extremely helpful if you feel like your settlement is a lot lower than it should be, but keep in mind that an adjuster is usually provided to you by the insurance company free of charge. If you do hire a public adjuster, then be prepared to pay a percentage of the claim as a fee. As such, you should typically only hire an adjuster if you really think that the settlement amount is wrong.
The sooner you act, the more likely you’ll get a better result
It’s a good idea to act as soon as possible to show how serious you are about making a claim. Some people leave their accident claim for a long time and they don’t report the accident until much later after the accident occurs. This can be a problem because it leads the insurance company to believe that you aren’t really in need of financial assistance and it could be used against you if you wait too long.
It’s also important to seek medical assistance or help from contractors, depending on what your situation is, as soon as possible. Again, this shows the severity of the situation and helps build a case to present to your insurance company.
