“Download Our App!” — Why the Insurance Company Wants More Control Over How You File a Claim
With the all-encompassing popularity of smartphones in today’s world, there’s a growing trend among insurance companies to allow customers to file claims directly through a mobile app. For some collision victims, this can make the process of receiving a settlement easier. Even though it doesn’t apply to all types of car accidents, the ability to snap a picture and receive a price estimate in a matter of hours is an attractive feature for many.
That being said, there may be some downsides to using a company’s mobile app to file a claim. To make sure you receive the right amount of compensation after an injury crash, it’s a better option to work with seasoned Omaha injury lawyer who can make sure your recovery meets your needs. But first, it’s important to know what features come with filing a claim through a mobile app.
Filing Your Claim by App — What’s New?
Most people are familiar with the traditional process of filing an insurance claim following a car crash. If the other driver is at fault, you will contact their insurance company to file a claim, which will then open an investigation, and you may be asked to submit additional evidence, in addition to a medical examination. Following this, the insurance company will decide on “fault” and deny or offer you a settlement to cover any damages from the crash, including medical expenses, lost income, and vehicle repairs.
By offering part of the claims process through a mobile device, insurance companies promise an easier and more convenient process for consumers. Whereas the normal processing time for a price estimate is often several days, Allstate, Esurance, and other insurance providers advertise that it could take only a few hours until you receive a quote following an accident. How does it work? You submit pictures of the damaged vehicle directly through the app, allowing an insurance adjuster to immediately receive and review relevant information for the claim. It eliminates some need for the adjuster to ask follow-up questions and delay the process further.
Many consumers, however, might view this efficiency as a bad thing when it comes to receiving a full and fair settlement. It’s important for a settlement to cover your accurate expenses, and that can be difficult to achieve through the more expedient process of going through a mobile app. A large number of consumers prefer to pick up the phone and speak with a real person despite having the opportunity to file claims through their mobile devices.
When You Should (and Shouldn’t) Use an App to File Your Claim
Insurance companies are quick to remind consumers that you won’t be able to file a claim through their app for all types of car accidents. Because serious collisions require extensive investigation and more resources, you are only able to file a claim for a crash that is considered “low value”—i.e., a fender bender. As it currently stands, if you suffered bodily injury as a result of the crash, or have significant property damage, you will still have to file a claim through the traditional method.
If you are in a minor collision, filing a claim through your insurance company’s mobile app could be the easiest and fastest way to get an estimate for any vehicle damages. However, when it’s a serious accident that resulted in an injury, your best bet would be working with an experienced automobile accident attorney instead.
Get Help From an Omaha Car Accident Attorney
An insurance company values its ability to make money more than making sure you get fair compensation for your injuries. This may be a hard truth, but it becomes clear once you consider the fact that insurance companies, just like every other business, are out to increase revenue above all else. This is why crash victims are frequently shocked at the low settlements insurance companies offer them following a wreck. Even if you think the settlement you’ve been offered is enough, there may be many additional expenses that neither you, nor the insurance company, have factored in.
By working with an experienced Omaha car accident lawyer, you’ll get the necessary guidance to seek compensation for the right amount. Bottlinger Law L.L.C. can represent your best interests by reviewing all the important evidence, including medical records, police reports, and other materials to come up with a recovery that meets all your needs. Contact us at (402) 505-8234 to get started.
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