If you’ve submitted an insurance claim after a car accident, your insurance company will likely need to inspect your vehicle. This helps the claims adjuster understand how much it will cost to repair the damage and how much money to send you.
So, what exactly happens during car insurance inspections after an accident, and how should you prepare? Learn more, then consult a car accident attorney in San Jose for legal assistance.
What Happens During a Car Insurance Inspection After an Accident?
An insurance adjuster is responsible for investigating your car accident claim and determining your payout amount. They will conduct the insurance inspection as part of your claim.
Your claims adjuster will come to your property or wherever the vehicle is located to assess the damage. Typically, they will do the following:
- Ask about the accident damage: If you are present for the inspection, the adjuster may ask you to explain what happened during the accident and show exactly where your vehicle experienced damage.
- Take photos of the vehicle: The adjuster will take photos and videos of the entire vehicle, including close-up photos of the damaged areas.
- Ensure the vehicle damage matches the information in the claim: This inspection aims to ensure that the vehicle damage supports the information in the accident report and the insurance claim.
This damage assessment allows the insurance company to verify your statement about the accident. Without seeing the damage up close, the insurance company may try to deny your claim or low-ball you. Agreeing to an inspection is important in securing the payout you need to cover your expenses effectively.
Insurance Inspection vs. Vehicle Appraisal
Is the car insurance inspection after an accident the same as the vehicle appraisal or repair estimate? These two processes typically go hand in hand.
The insurance adjuster inspects the vehicle to determine roughly how much the repairs will cost. They then contact an approved body shop to report the damage and the necessary repairs. The body shop will give a more detailed estimate of the repair costs and the vehicle’s fair market value in case a replacement is necessary.
Avoid making any changes to your vehicle’s condition before the inspection. Taking the vehicle in for minor repairs could lower your eventual payout. You should also avoid making the damage look worse than it is, as this could be a form of insurance fraud.
Can You Refuse a Car Insurance Inspection After an Accident?
You may be aware of the shady tactics often employed by insurance companies and wonder whether a car insurance inspection after the accident is necessary. Some insurance adjusters use these inspections to look for any reason to deny your claim.
Still, you must agree to a vehicle inspection to file an insurance claim. This is one of the many necessary steps in qualifying for a claim through a person’s vehicle liability insurance.
The insurance company will also inspect the at-fault driver’s car. Such inspections may support the other driver’s negligence in the accident and make the insurer more likely to assign that driver the majority of the liability determination.
Hann Law Firm Can Help You Navigate Car Insurance Inspections After an Accident
Are you preparing for a car insurance inspection after an accident? If you’re the victim of a car accident in San Jose or the surrounding area, our attorneys at Hann Law Firm can help you navigate the insurance coverage and claims process. Learn why you need a car accident lawyer, then contact our attorneys today at 408-755-3498 for a consultation.
