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How do I get more money from a car insurance claim?

I got into an accident several months ago and had to be hospitalized. It took a while for me to get ahold of the insurance company to file my claim because I just couldn’t. I didn’t get the greatest service or as much money as I expected. What’s the best way to get more money from insurance?

avatar
Lauren Smith · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
I’m so sorry to hear you got hurt. I hope you are getting better!
When it comes to getting more money for car insurance claims, several factors are at play.
Speed is imperative when filing a claim. The longer it takes for a car insurance company to hear about the accident, the less likely they are to believe it was as bad as you say it was.
The insurance company generally wants everything as soon as possible because it’s fresher in your mind. They want to know what happened, how the weather was, and things people might forget or become unsure of as time passes.
Because you had to be hospitalized, I hope this isn’t the case. Your medical bills and records should provide ample proof.
They’ll also want a police report. Your accident sounds like it was serious, so there’s a good chance the cops arrived on the scene and a report was filed.
During the claims process, it’s important that you keep documentation on everything. Copies of statements, transcripts of conversations, medical paperwork, car repair estimates and bills, loss of wages, and, of course, that police report will all come in handy.
On top of keeping a paper trail, you’ll also want to hold onto damaged items
after an accident
. Although you may think of them as broken or trash, these things can be used as evidence to back up your claim and get you more money.
These are just a few examples of how to optimize your car insurance claim. Since you didn’t get as much as you were hoping, you can always reach out to your insurance company and ask for more information and a breakdown of how much they paid out and why.
If you think you can get more, you can tell them you want to dispute the payout and see if they’re willing to renegotiate. You could also speak with your state’s Department of Insurance.
After an accident, your insurance is going to go up. But you can find a better policy at a better rate—with better customer service—using Jerry.
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