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In the hours right after two cars have collided, the drivers might not know for sure whether or not the insurer would have reason to declare either of the damaged vehicles to be a total loss. Each driver’s first priority should be studying the current car insurance policy. In that way, the driver can learn about the extent of the coverage offered by the insurance company.
Types of coverage if other driver not responsible for collision
• If the state has no fault insurance, then the company that sold the policy should cover the damages.
• If the driver’s policy included collision coverage, then all damages would be covered.
• If the other driver is responsible, that driver’s insurance company should pay for the damages, assuming that the same driver did buy a policy from such a company.
When can driver know whether or not insurer will declare that car is total loss?
Obviously, it is the driver’s duty to call the insurance company and report the accident. Then a claims adjuster from the same company should get in touch with the driver. The adjuster will view the damages and will decide whether or not the inspected vehicle is a total loss. Once that vehicle has been declared a total loss, the insurer will check on its fair market value at the time of the accident. That is the amount of money that the vehicle’s owner can expect to receive. In addition, the insurance company has the right to assume possession of the unsalvageable car. It is best that the owner of the vehicle hires the services of a Personal Injury Lawyer in Orillia.
How could the car’s owner get the insurance company to change its decision, allowing the driver to seek an ambitious mechanic?
The owner must either negotiate with the company or file a lawsuit. In order to ensure achievement of success, after following either of those approaches, the driver that lacks a set-of-wheels must gather proof of the car’s worth. One way to obtain such evidence calls for use of a camera; photographs of the car just before the accident work best in this situation.
All the drivers on the road ought to make a habit of photographing their current set-of-wheels. If a driver does not have a good set of photographs, then it becomes time to speak with an appraiser. An appraiser could also offer an objective view, if the car’s owner had received conflicting opinions, regarding the wisdom behind agreeing to the insurance company’s request. It should be noted that an insurer can insist on taking possession of an unsalvageable vehicle even if the vehicle’s owner had purchased a policy with collision coverage. The company might be a bit more willing to negotiate, but that does not mean that it would certainly change its decision.