If you get into an accident near Plainfield, Indianapolis, Fishers, or Bloomington, you may be unsure of what will happen with your vehicle or how much the auto repairs would cost.
To give you some peace of mind, our team at Andy Mohr Collision Center will going over what to expect from appraisals after an accident. Read about this process below and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
What’s a Car Appraisal?
A car appraisal after an accident helps to determine the value of your car after a collision. This is to help your insurance company know how much it’d cost to fix your vehicle.
Car Insurance Appraisal Process
If you get into an auto accident, you’ll want to report it to your insurance company as soon as possible. And when you do, you’ll need to provide the following information:
- Which covered vehicle was involved and who was driving
- Location and time of the accident
- Basic description of the accident and the severity of damage
- Name and insurance info of the other driver
- Names and contact info of anyone else involved as well as witnesses
Take lots of notes and write down the claim number you’re provided, along with the name and number of the insurer that you talk to.
You’ll then meet with an appraiser. This person will get additional information about the accident. You’ll want to stick to the facts, provide photographs you may have taken at the scene, and give the contact information of any witnesses.
Afterwards, the appraiser will look at your car’s overall condition and the extent of the damage. They’ll then follow specific criteria to determine the overall cost of coverage. This number will determine how much coverage you’ll receive under your car insurance policy.
What Factors Are Appraised?
Generally, the area of the vehicle that is damaged will be appraised. For example, if you get into a rear-end collision and your font bumper is dented, the appraisers will examine your bumper. We recommend suggesting the appraisers examine the rest of your vehicle incase there is any hidden damage
How Long Does an Insurance Appraisal Take?
Depending on how much information you collect and have available, the insurance appraisal process can be quick or slow. There are multiple people involved in an appraisal, like you, the body shop and the insurance agents. It’s important to be responsive and do your part in the process to speed up the claim process.
Things to Keep in Mind
Since the appraiser determines the cost of coverage based on damage, it’s crucial that you don’t get anything fixed before the evaluation has been completed. And when you do, you’ll want to keep all receipts and documentation in case your insurance company requests this information.
In some cases, the repair costs may be more than the current value of your car. If this is the case, the appraiser will list the car as a total loss. The insurance company will then pay you what the vehicle is worth. If the repairs are so severe that paying to fix it would be more than its worth, then its best to accept the offered payment rather than try to fix it yourself.
Learn More at Our Collision Center
If you need more information about the appraisal process, then contact us at Andy Mohr Collision Center. And the good news is that if you get into an accident, we’ll work with any insurance provider to help get you the coverage you need for your car repairs.
We’ve helped many drivers throughout Plainfield, Indianapolis, Fishers, and Bloomington with their auto repair needs, and we’ll do the same for you. So don’t wait. Contact us today!
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