Car Insurance Secrets

An accident is a traumatic experience, but if you're frazzled or sobbing or shouting or totally confused when the police or adjuster get there, you may never get fair hearing. If you are lucid, and it was a small accident, don't argue with the other driver. Just calm down and review the facts so you can recite them calmly and truthfully when authority arrives. Remember - you are in an adversarial situation. The adjuster wants to save the company money and the other driver wants to put the blame on you so their insurance doesn't go up. If you are injured, of course, the best thing to do is just let the take you to the hospital.

Some companies may send an adjuster who will try to get you to sign for repairs on the spot. Don't. Beg off, but politely. Just say you're rattled and have to get yourself together first, and get some estimates. Being rude to an adjuster just means he's more likely to throw the claim to the lawyers, who are trained to Never give in. Stalling for years is what they do. If you sign, two bad things can happen. They'll send your car to their own chop shop - where you may get inferior work. It may never run right again and be very unsafe. An improperly installed windshield can kill you in a rollover, for instance.

No one likes abuse. If you have a hot temper, stow it. Calling the other driver names, acting hysterically, or shouting at the police is not a good idea. It just increases the chance the police report will reflect unfavorably on you. It's the same if an adjuster shows up. Let him gather the facts and calmly tell the truth. Having an adjuster at the scene is a good idea since he will find every possible way to exculpate you. His job is to put most of the onus on the other driver, and let his insurer pay, if possible. That keeps your rates low. An adjuster may even see things the police overlook. Settling a claim at the scene is a bad idea, but having an adjuster there can be helpful. Be polite to everyone, but not so much as to seem like a pushover.

This is where our books come in. If the adjuster can tell you are knowledgable, it helps your claim. Just don't act like a courthouse lawyer. Ask a few questions that show you know how this all works. The benefit? Various studies have shown that people who have a poor grasp of English, seem ill educated, or otherwise    , are likely to be offered a smaller settlement amount. Insurers deal the hardest with those they deem least equipped to fight back, since it's the easiest way to save money. Yes, they're bullies - but bullies respect those who are harder to pick on. In this case, knowledge makes you a tougher target.