Washington, D.C. – As Americans take to the road, the Consumer Federation of America is releasing a new guide with insiders’ advice on filing a successful automobile insurance claim and collecting a fair settlement in the expected 325,000 accidents this holiday. The guide, Navigating the Auto Claims’ Maze: Getting the Settlement You Deserve, was written by Mark Romano, who spent more than 28 years as a top claims’ official and injury evaluation software expert at major, national insurance companies.
AAA announced today that, during the 2011 Holiday travel period of December 23, 2011 to January 2, 2012, approximately 83.6 million people – 27 percent of America’s population – will take a trip by automobile of at least 50 miles. Based on driving records and claims history, CFA estimates that, during the Holiday travel period, over 325,000 auto accidents will occur, resulting in 200,000 to 225,000 auto insurance claims filed with the nation’s auto insurance companies.
“Most people are intimidated when they file an auto insurance claim, perhaps because they have never done it before or are worried about getting less than they deserve for personal injuries or damages to their car,” said Mark Romano, CFA’s Director of Insurance Claims’ Projects. “Unfortunately, some insurance companies have begun using practices in recent years – such as computerized systems that don’t adequately consider the individual circumstances of each claim — that can result in an unfairly low settlement for consumers. This guide will walk drivers step-by-step through the claims’ process and helps them avoid mistakes and traps that can lead to an unfair settlement.”
The consumer guide contains a handy “checklist” that consumers can use to keep track of key information and to make sure they are treated fairly (see attached). The guide and checklist provide crucial information that consumers often don’t hear about, including:
- It is your choice, not the insurer’s, as to where your car is repaired.
- How you can file a successful claim with the other driver’s insurance company, if you were not at fault in the accident.
- How you can avoid a “low-ball” offer for injuries sustained in the accident.
- Who you should call – and not call — at your insurance company to resolve claims’ problems.
- How to get help from insurance regulators if your company does not treat you right.
- When you should refuse to provide records to insurers.
- How you can protect the privacy of your personal information.
“This information empowers consumers to become their own advocates to get a fairer and quicker settlement of their auto claims,” Mr. Romano said. “It is our hope that this report will make the auto claims process a lot less intimidating and confusing for drivers who are unfortunate enough to be in an accident during the holiday season.”