How many of us have found damage on our car and asked ourselves how did that happen? Thousands of auto claims and car accidents are occurring everyday through the US.  Auto collisions centers stay very busy repairing cars. Auto insurers stay busy evaluating claims and concluding what “probably” happened. To understand what happened requires analization and some good old fashion claims experience. It’s definitely a science balanced with physical evidence. I’ve included some things to remember when trying to help the insurance company conclude if the damage is comprehensive or collision. First, when you find the damage, document what the damage looks like. Is it a deep scrape or shallow scrape? Does it have any paint transfer or material transfer? Is the damage up and down, straight? If possible, take photos and don’t wash the vehicle before documenting the damage. Allow the insurance company to review this damage with you. The insurance companies will conclude the type of damage and take care of the claim if you have the appropriate coverage. I experienced many claims that the conclusion wasn’t that simple. There was no one piece of evidence that could help conclude comp or collision. And at times, disputes occurred where the policyholder was pushing for one thing, the insurance company for the other. Typically, the deductibles are different between comp and collision and the fear is that if the claim is concluded under collision, the insurance rates would increase. Insurance companies handle these scenarios differently depending on their polices and procedures. The experience of the claim handler has some influence in these types of outcomes as well as we all look at things differently. It’s important to know your facts, document your facts, and present your facts to the insurer of how you think the claim occurred. Be certain in your presentation and ask plenty of questions of how the insurer has concluded the claim. Your own investigation may decide the type of claim and could mean the difference in lots of money and higher deductible costs.

Steven Gross