How to Calculate an Auto Insurance Settlement
Understand the basic factors involved., Assess vehicular property damage., Be aware that your car might be “totaled.” If repairing the damage to your vehicle would cost more than paying you for the value of your vehicle, the insurance company may...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Understand the basic factors involved.
Due to wide variations in policy and coverage details, it is difficult to determine ahead of time exactly how an insurance company will calculate your settlement.
The circumstances of each car accident differ greatly, so there are not precise mathematical formulae involved.However, there are factors that are generally used to calculate a settlement for most accidents.
These include:
The type and nature of property damage Whether or not a party is injured The policy limits of the involved insurance policies -
Step 2: Assess vehicular property damage.
Most car accidents involve property damage to one or both cars involved.
The insurance company will likely offer to cover the cost of repairs to your vehicle.
For example, if the back bumper of your car is dented in the accident, the company will likely pay for the cost of repair to the bumper, including labor costs.
The company may wish for you to use one of their “approved” mechanics, and they may remit payment directly to the mechanic.
Alternately, they may remit the payment directly to you and allow you to choose your own mechanic and pay him yourself. , The value of your car is the depreciated value, which includes age and mileage of the vehicle.
The depreciated value is unlikely to be close to the price of a brand new car, and it is possible that it could be less than you owe on the vehicle if you have a car loan. , First, be aware that personal injury compensation is usually calculated separately from the settlement for damage to your car.The insurance company will consider:
Medical reports Documented loss of wages due to injury The nature and extent of your injuries , The best course of action is to consult a personal injury attorney who can ensure that you are claiming all applicable medical expenses.
It can be particularly difficult to quantify pain and suffering, which is a request for compensation for past and future discomfort that the individual has suffered and will continue to suffer as a result of the car accident.To receive “pain and suffering” compensation, you should have completed medical treatments or be able to provide an estimate from a physician about ongoing medical costs that will be incurred in the future.
For example, if a person was diagnosed with chronic pain as a result of the car accident, the settlement should include extra compensation for any medical expenses associated with the treatments as well as compensation for the permanent condition. , You will receive one settlement for all personal injury expenses, so if you accept an offer before you have completed treatments, you will not be able to file additional expense claims.
It is best to hire a personal injury attorney if possible to advise you about claim settlement. , Though the amount the policy will play is determined by the extent of personal injury and property damage, there are also limits that control the maximum amount that the policy pays out.This is negotiated between the insurance company and the insured, and the insurance company will not pay more than the maximum amount.
For example, if you were in a major accident that amassed $40,000 in property damages and personal injuries, but the insurance plan has a policy limit of $30,000, then the insurance company will only pay $30,000.
If you wish to get the remaining $10,000 covered, you would have to hire a private attorney and sue the driver of the car. , Some state laws are such that the driver of the car is not responsible for your personal injury costs, even if the other driver was responsible for the incident.
If you live in a “no fault” state, your own car insurance will pay up to your policy limit for personal injury and medical bills.Even in a “no fault” state, he damage to property is covered by the insurance company of the driver who caused the accident.
If your car is totaled by someone who ran a red light, for example, that driver’s insurance will most likely cover the cost of repairs or replacement for your vehicle. , Though all drivers are supposed to have car insurance, some drive without it.
If you are in an accident in which an uninsured driver is at fault, you will either have to sue the driver personally for the cost of repairs and medical expenses or you will have to file a claim with your own insurance company.
Some insurance companies offer additional “uninsured motorist” coverage.
Consider purchasing this additional coverage to safeguard yourself against uninsured drivers. -
Step 3: Be aware that your car might be “totaled.” If repairing the damage to your vehicle would cost more than paying you for the value of your vehicle
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Step 4: the insurance company may consider the accident a “total loss” and pay you for the value of your car.
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Step 5: Understand personal injury negotiations.
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Step 6: Be sure to request compensation for pain and suffering if applicable.
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Step 7: Do not accept an offer for a settlement too soon.
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Step 8: Ask about policy limits.
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Step 9: Determine whether you live in a “no fault” state.
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Step 10: Talk to your insurance company if you are in a wreck with an uninsured motorist.
Detailed Guide
Due to wide variations in policy and coverage details, it is difficult to determine ahead of time exactly how an insurance company will calculate your settlement.
The circumstances of each car accident differ greatly, so there are not precise mathematical formulae involved.However, there are factors that are generally used to calculate a settlement for most accidents.
These include:
The type and nature of property damage Whether or not a party is injured The policy limits of the involved insurance policies
Most car accidents involve property damage to one or both cars involved.
The insurance company will likely offer to cover the cost of repairs to your vehicle.
For example, if the back bumper of your car is dented in the accident, the company will likely pay for the cost of repair to the bumper, including labor costs.
The company may wish for you to use one of their “approved” mechanics, and they may remit payment directly to the mechanic.
Alternately, they may remit the payment directly to you and allow you to choose your own mechanic and pay him yourself. , The value of your car is the depreciated value, which includes age and mileage of the vehicle.
The depreciated value is unlikely to be close to the price of a brand new car, and it is possible that it could be less than you owe on the vehicle if you have a car loan. , First, be aware that personal injury compensation is usually calculated separately from the settlement for damage to your car.The insurance company will consider:
Medical reports Documented loss of wages due to injury The nature and extent of your injuries , The best course of action is to consult a personal injury attorney who can ensure that you are claiming all applicable medical expenses.
It can be particularly difficult to quantify pain and suffering, which is a request for compensation for past and future discomfort that the individual has suffered and will continue to suffer as a result of the car accident.To receive “pain and suffering” compensation, you should have completed medical treatments or be able to provide an estimate from a physician about ongoing medical costs that will be incurred in the future.
For example, if a person was diagnosed with chronic pain as a result of the car accident, the settlement should include extra compensation for any medical expenses associated with the treatments as well as compensation for the permanent condition. , You will receive one settlement for all personal injury expenses, so if you accept an offer before you have completed treatments, you will not be able to file additional expense claims.
It is best to hire a personal injury attorney if possible to advise you about claim settlement. , Though the amount the policy will play is determined by the extent of personal injury and property damage, there are also limits that control the maximum amount that the policy pays out.This is negotiated between the insurance company and the insured, and the insurance company will not pay more than the maximum amount.
For example, if you were in a major accident that amassed $40,000 in property damages and personal injuries, but the insurance plan has a policy limit of $30,000, then the insurance company will only pay $30,000.
If you wish to get the remaining $10,000 covered, you would have to hire a private attorney and sue the driver of the car. , Some state laws are such that the driver of the car is not responsible for your personal injury costs, even if the other driver was responsible for the incident.
If you live in a “no fault” state, your own car insurance will pay up to your policy limit for personal injury and medical bills.Even in a “no fault” state, he damage to property is covered by the insurance company of the driver who caused the accident.
If your car is totaled by someone who ran a red light, for example, that driver’s insurance will most likely cover the cost of repairs or replacement for your vehicle. , Though all drivers are supposed to have car insurance, some drive without it.
If you are in an accident in which an uninsured driver is at fault, you will either have to sue the driver personally for the cost of repairs and medical expenses or you will have to file a claim with your own insurance company.
Some insurance companies offer additional “uninsured motorist” coverage.
Consider purchasing this additional coverage to safeguard yourself against uninsured drivers.
About the Author
Betty Barnes
Experienced content creator specializing in hobbies guides and tutorials.
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