An automotive collision is something that every driver throughout the Brockton, Randolph, and Stoughton area tries to actively avoid whenever they’re behind the wheel. No one enjoys crashing their car, or the various steps afterwards of determining whether your vehicle needs repairs or if it’s just a pile of scrap metal. The auto insurance appraisal process is what helps you determine the repair costs of bringing your vehicle back to its original condition, so there’s a few steps that you should be aware of for the day that you can’t avoid a collision.
Why an Insurance Appraisal is Necessary
When you endure an automotive collision, there are a number of things to take stock in. The most important is your health and safety. When it comes to your vehicle, in order to properly assess the damages and find the total costs of repair, your insurance company will determine the cost of repair compared with the total value of the car. If the cost of repairs is higher than the overall value of the vehicle, then your car is totaled.
Documenting & Reporting the Accident
If you get into an accident, whether it’s a minor fender bender or a full-on collision, it’s crucial that you document the accident or have someone document it for you if you’re unable to. Take pictures of your car, the other car, and the overall scene of the accident. Close ups are important as it shows the damage that your vehicle’s structure has endured upon impact.
It’s also vital to notify your insurance company immediately and report the accident so they can begin the process of assessing the damage and appraising your vehicle. The insurance company will send a claims adjuster to you to find out the causes of the accident, where it occurred, and eventually, if the repairs or worth the cost considering the total value of your vehicle.
Getting the Proper Repairs
If your insurer deemed that the repairs are less than the total cost of your vehicle, then you have the opportunity to take your vehicle in for collision repairs. If you have collision insurance, the process should be fairly simple. It’s important to seek out a reliable and highly rated collision center to help bring your vehicle back to its normal condition so you can continue driving it.
In the Event That Your Car is Totaled
No one likes hearing that their vehicle is totaled. It’s not a happy result, but the important thing is that you’re okay. There are several different events that occur when you have a totaled vehicle. Once the value of your vehicle is determined, and you own the vehicle, your insurance company will write you a check for the actual cash value of the car, excluding deductibles and other fees. If you finance, your lender will get the money and take what is still owed, leaving you the remaining balance.
Do you have more questions about auto insurance appraisals, collision coverage, or collision repair? Contact us at Collision 24, the collision center that proudly helps drivers in the Brockton, Randolph, and Stoughton area.