The amount of time you have to file a car insurance claim can be as much as two or even four year; it truly depends on a number of factors. First, let’s consider scenarios. Have you been in a fender bender while driving your car lately? Maybe things in your life were already too hectic (moving to a new house, taking a promotion at work, or going to college) and you didn’t file a claim at the time of the incident. Now some time has passed and things have calmed down. Unfortunately, you continue to see that ugly dent in the side of your car. You are now wondering; can I still file a claim?
Here is another scenario. What if you were in a very bad accident and had to stay in the hospital for a time? You would need to make sure that you have all your records and medical bills together before filing a claim. This can certainly take quite a bit of time, especially for a person who is not functioning at 100%.
Read on further to learn generally how much time you have to file an auto insurance claim with your car insurance company and then be sure that you enter your zip code in above to compare free car insurance rates!
The Role of the Insurance Company
Every car insurance provider and every state have different polices and laws as to how much time a motorist has to file a car insurance claim. The best place to look for this information is on your automobile insurance policy contract. The contract will state in plain words something along the lines that you have X amount of years from the date that an accident occurred to file a claim.
Every policy will be different, and some policies do have a clause permitting the company to reject a claim that was not reported in what they consider a “timely” manner. It may be in your best interest to contact your insurance provider directly and ask a few hypothetical questions to be on the safe side. Remember when contacting the insurance company, that they often have their best interests at heart, which usually means giving you the least amount of information as they possibly can.
That said, there are still some excellent and honest insurance providers out there that do care for your interests. Contact your insurance provider so you can get answers to all your questions in an upfront and truthful manner. Asking a hypothetical question of how long you have after an accident to file a claim should be accompanied by a specific time frame; not a reply of “as soon as possible” with no other details given.
How Laws Differ from State to State
If for some reason your policy does not have a set time, and the agents are unwilling or unable to give you an answer, then you may need to check into your state’s laws. Look up information on state precedents, the statues of limitations, as well as the amount of time you have to make a claim. This information usually appears right after the statute of limitations. A rough estimate for most states and agencies usually falls between the two to four year marks.
The stature of limitations refers to state laws in which a limit is placed on the maximum amount of time you have to pursue legal action against someone or something. Most companies prefer it if a motorist files a claim right away, as this tends to save the company money due to having less details of the accident, and thus lower payouts.
While you should try to file a claim as soon as you have all the documentation together (such as police reports and hospital bills) do not let the insurance company rush you. You do not want to miss details that will end up costly, due to the fact that you rushed to make a claim. As long as your claim time follows your policy guidelines, you cannot be denied for taking your time and making a shrewd move.
Documenting the Scene of the Collision
There are some precautions to take to ensure the process goes smoothly. Keep a camera in your car and document any damage that happens to it. This may help document and capture evidence that would not otherwise be there. Always contact the police and have them file a police report so you can have additional evidence and proof on your side. You should also seek to ask any witnesses near the scene for their contact information.
Now you know that the amount of time you have to file a car insurance claim all depends on your state and insurance provider. If you need help getting the answers you are looking for then look to a car insurance comparison quote tool. Using this insurance quote tool can help you save big money!
