How to File a Total Loss Car Insurance Claim

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By marthyvp
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File a Total Loss Car Insurance Claim

Total loss claims are filed when a vehicle has been so badly damaged that it would cost more than it`s worth to repair it. However, just what that worth is depends on how the car insurance http://www.belairdirect.com/ company sets their standards, so you`ll need to know what this is ahead of time.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

police report
to call the insurance company
to write down your own statement

Step 1

First, you will need to have a police report. When the accident occurs, the police should be called immediately and an accident report will be drawn up. In the case of serious injury (which is quite common in total loss claims), you will need to get a copy of the police report after the fact.
Step 2

Call the car insurance company as soon as possible after the accident, whether you call yourself, or have someone phone in for you. This ensures that they are aware of the problem and will be ready to proceed once the paperwork has been filed.
Step 3

Write down your own statement of what happened.

Tips & Warnings

It`s important not to lie as you go through the process of filing a claim. Even embellishing the facts can be a risky business, it will be assumed that everything you have been saying could be false, so watch it. If you are confused about things and the details of the accident, it`s a better idea to let people know where things are fuzzy, as opposed to inventing it.
If your car is completely destroyed and the insurance company can replace it for less than the repairs would be, chances are the vehicle will be declared a total loss and you`ll be given a replacement vehicle.

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