After you have been in a car accident, it is important to report the accident to your insurance company and start filing a claim. Once you have submitted your auto accident insurance claim, a claims adjuster will contact you. They will go over your policy and determine your coverage types, deductibles and coverage limitations.

If the car accident was not too involved, the claims adjuster may get an estimate for the repairs and mail you a check. If the car accident insurance claim was more complex, the process may be longer. The adjuster will investigate your claim. During the investigation, the claims adjuster may:

• Comb through your policy
• Speak with witnesses to the auto accident
• Contact the other party involved in the car crash
• Read through the police report
• Take photos of the damages and scene of the car accident
• Investigate your medical expenses

After the automobile accident claim investigation has been completed, the adjuster will send out a settlement offer which will explain what the insurance company is willing to pay. Usually, these offers tend to be rather low. However, adjusters can be negotiated with. If you have an idea of what you should be receiving, you can send a demand letter which states fault, damages and the amount you think you deserve.

If your auto accident claim is denied, there may be some limitations in your policy. Check the denial letter against your policy to see if the denial is appropriate. If you feel you have been wrongfully denied, write the insurance company and explain why you believe your claim should not be denied. You can also appeal the decision to the State Insurance Commissioner. Lastly, you should hire an auto accident lawyer to speak with the insurance company.