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When it
comes to insurance, what you don't do can be just as
important as what you do. Wrong moves when filing a
claim, or saying the wrong thing, can cost you.
To see
what insurers know about your claims history, get a
C.L.U.E., your free annual auto and personal property
claims reports by the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting
Exchange at ChoiceTrust.com. And when it comes to auto
and home claims, don't:
—Play
auto mechanic: After a car accident, don't jump to the
conclusion that it's a fender-bender. Drivers involved
in accidents often see small dents and scratches and
decide damage is minor. But major structural damage,
such as a cracked axle, might be hidden. Get the name,
address, driver's license number and insurance
identification number of all those involved in case you
need to make a claim. Otherwise, you'll have to file a
claim on your own policy if you have collision coverage.
"Of course, you want to avoid claims, if possible,
so that you don't see a car-insurance rate increase in
the future," said
Amy Denise
, senior managing editor for Insure.com.
—Be
embarrassed: Be aggressive about documenting the
accident scene. Keep a disposable camera in the glove
box or use your cell phone camera to snap pictures of
damage. And request a copy of the police report.
"Don't feel like you're overreacting. You never
know what that other person will say about the accident
afterward or what car problems will come to light,"
Denise said.
—Apologize:
Resist the urge to apologize or admit fault at the
scene. Fault often determines liability, which can lead
to claims against your insurance policy and higher
premiums.
—Buy
roadside assistance from your insurer: Roadside
assistance and towing plans from AAA or a similar group
are fine. But when you get it from your insurance
company, using it might count as a claim, which can lead
to higher premiums.
—Hire a
tow truck that just shows up: Some tow-truck drivers
listen to police scanners and circle accident scenes
hoping you'll hire them. But they might be unlicensed or
exorbitantly expensive, Denise said. And don't call your
insurance agent if you won't make a claim. The agent
might make a note of the incident in your file.
—Start
home repairs and cleanup immediately: Wait until your
insurance adjuster arrives. You want to get the full
amount to which you're entitled. However, do minor
temporary repairs to prevent further damage, such as
fixing broken windows or holes in the roof, Denise said.
Also, don't call your home insurance company to report
damage if you're not going to make a claim.
—Say
"flood" or "whiplash": Three inches
of water in your kitchen from a burst pipe is not a
flood to the insurance company. Similarly, wait until a
doctor diagnoses you with whiplash after a crash before
mentioning it. It's a red flag for fraudulent claims and
could trigger further investigation. Presumably, the
insurer will determine whether you are eligible for a
flood or whiplash claim.
—Fail
to document your belongings: Don't throw out receipts
for big-ticket items. They can support claims. And take
photos of items around the house or use a video camera
to document your belongings. Keep the documentation in a
fireproof box or off site.
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