Introduction
Navigating California’s roadways carries inherent risks, and being involved in a car accident is a possibility every driver faces. From minor fender-benders to serious collisions resulting in injuries, knowing the correct steps to take afterward is crucial to protect yourself from potentially costly mistakes. This guide provides essential information on what to do immediately following a car accident and what you should anticipate when filing a claim with your insurance company, with a particular focus on understanding Car Accident Settlements.
For your convenience, we have included an accident checklist within this guide, which we recommend keeping in your vehicle for easy access.
When initially purchasing car insurance, it is vital to carefully review the application before signing. Ensure that the coverages, policy limits, and deductibles align with your individual needs. Upon receiving your policy documentation, pay close attention to the declaration page. This page contains critical details such as the names of covered drivers, the insured vehicles, and, importantly, the coverage limits and deductible amounts. Verify the accuracy of all information and confirm that the coverage matches what you intended to purchase. Should any changes be necessary, submit your requests in writing to your agent or insurance company, and always retain a copy for your records. For added security and proof of delivery, consider using certified mail with return receipt requested.
Take the time to thoroughly familiarize yourself with your automobile insurance policy. Understanding the terms and conditions before an accident occurs will significantly ease the claims process should you ever need to file one. Read your policy document carefully to fully grasp what is covered, what is excluded, and how car accident settlements are typically handled under your specific plan.
What to Do If There Is an Accident
Q. What are the immediate steps to take at the scene of a car accident?
A. STOP immediately and only move your vehicle if it is safe to do so.
- Call 911 if anyone is injured. Prioritize the safety and well-being of all involved.
- Contact the police. While in some areas, law enforcement may respond to every accident scene, policies can vary based on factors like severity and location (some agencies might not attend accidents on private property). However, it is always advisable to attempt to notify the police. Be aware that most insurance policies stipulate police notification within a specific timeframe, especially in hit-and-run incidents.
- Collect essential information from all drivers involved. Obtain full names, addresses, telephone numbers, and driver’s license numbers.
- Record vehicle details. Note down license plate numbers and Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs). Request to see driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations to confirm the accuracy of the information provided.
- Gather contact information from passengers and witnesses. Collect names, addresses, and telephone numbers from all other occupants of the vehicles and any individuals who witnessed the accident.
- Document the scene with photos. If you have a camera or cellphone, take photographs of the vehicle damage and the accident scene itself, including traffic signals, road conditions, and any visual obstructions.
- Leave a note if you cannot locate the owner of damaged property. If you’ve damaged an unattended vehicle or other property and cannot find the owner, leave a clearly visible note with the names and addresses of the drivers and owners of the involved cars.
- Notify your insurance agent and/or insurance company without delay. Prompt notification is crucial for initiating the claims process and understanding your options for a car accident settlement.
- Report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) if required. In California, if anyone is injured or vehicle damage exceeds $750.00, you are legally obligated to report the accident to the DMV within 10 days. Failure to do so can result in the suspension of your driver’s license.
Alt text: Severe damage to the front of a silver car after a car accident, emphasizing the need for prompt action and insurance claim.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS About Car Accident Settlements
Q. What happens after I file a car insurance claim? How does this lead to a car accident settlement?
A. Once you file a claim, your insurance company will initiate an investigation. They will contact you to gather detailed information about the accident and the resulting damages. This might involve taking a written or recorded statement from you. In some cases, they may request an examination under oath. As part of their investigation, insurance companies may also reach out to other drivers involved and any witnesses to the accident. If your claim includes medical payments or an uninsured motorist claim, you will need to provide documentation of your losses, such as medical expenses, injury details, and lost wage information. This entire process is geared towards evaluating the damages and determining a fair car accident settlement amount.
Q. What should I do if the insurance company is slow to respond or doesn’t contact me after I file a claim?
A. You should expect to be contacted by a claims representative from your insurance company within a reasonable timeframe after reporting the accident. While this period can sometimes extend up to 15 days under specific circumstances, prompt communication is generally expected. If you haven’t heard from anyone within a reasonable period, it’s important to take proactive steps. First, call your insurance agent or insurance company directly to inquire about the status of your claim. If you find their response unsatisfactory or believe there’s an unreasonable delay in processing your claim and moving towards a car accident settlement, you have the right to contact the Department of Insurance for assistance.
Q. How does the insurance company determine the amount of vehicle damage for a car accident settlement?
A. To evaluate vehicle damage, insurance companies typically engage a qualified adjuster or appraiser. This professional will conduct an inspection of your damaged vehicle and prepare an initial estimate for repairs based on their assessment. It’s important to understand that this initial estimate might not be exhaustive. If additional damage is discovered during the repair process, the repair shop is usually required to contact the insurer to obtain approval for the extra repair costs. The insurer may then send out an adjuster for a re-inspection to verify these additional damages. In cases of minor damage, the insurance company might request you to submit competitive repair estimates from different shops instead of sending an adjuster. Remember, ultimately, it’s your responsibility to authorize the repair shop to proceed with the vehicle repairs once you are satisfied with the final estimate and the chosen repair facility. This estimated repair cost is a crucial element in determining the car accident settlement for vehicle damage.
Alt text: An insurance adjuster inspecting a car’s rear damage, highlighting the process of damage assessment for a car accident settlement.
Q. What amount will the insurance company pay for a physical damage claim under a standard auto policy in a car accident settlement?
A. Generally, under a standard auto policy, the insurance company will pay the lesser of two amounts:
- The cost necessary to repair the vehicle to its pre-accident condition, or
- The actual cash value (ACV) of the vehicle immediately before the accident.
It is essential to carefully review your specific policy to understand the exact terms of your coverage. Pay close attention to any exclusions and limitations that might apply. For instance, standard policies often provide limited or no coverage for enhanced aftermarket stereo equipment, telephones, or non-OEM tires and wheels, unless these were originally installed by the automobile manufacturer (OEM). However, additional coverage for such equipment is usually available for purchase at an extra premium. Understanding these details is important for anticipating the potential car accident settlement amount for vehicle damage.
Q. What exactly is “actual cash value” (ACV) in the context of a car accident settlement?
A. Actual Cash Value (ACV), unless specifically defined differently in your insurance policy, is interpreted as fair market value in California. Fair market value is essentially the price at which a willing buyer and a willing seller, both reasonably knowledgeable about the asset (in this case, your vehicle), would agree to transact. This implies that both parties are acting in their own best interest, free from any undue pressure to buy or sell. Insurance companies use ACV to determine the payout for vehicle damage in a car accident settlement, especially in cases of total loss.
Q. What is an appraisal provision and how can it be helpful in a car accident settlement dispute?
A. Most standard auto insurance policies include an appraisal provision. This provision can be a valuable tool if you find yourself in a disagreement with your insurance company regarding the settlement amount offered, particularly in cases where your vehicle is deemed a total loss. Check your policy to confirm if it contains this provision. Under the appraisal clause, either you or the insurance company can demand an appraisal. If invoked, both parties must each select a competent appraiser. These two appraisers then jointly choose a neutral third appraiser, known as an umpire. If the two chosen appraisers cannot reach a consensus on the vehicle’s value, their differing opinions are submitted to the umpire for review. An agreement reached by any two of these three individuals (the two appraisers or one appraiser and the umpire) becomes binding. Each party bears the cost of their own appraiser, while the fee for the umpire is typically shared equally between both parties. This appraisal process can be a fair and efficient way to resolve disputes over the value of a vehicle in a car accident settlement.
Q. How is the payment check or draft prepared for a car accident settlement?
A. When a settlement is reached, the payment check or draft can be issued in the name of the insured policyholder and any lienholder associated with the vehicle, such as a bank or finance company if there is an outstanding car loan. If the vehicle is deemed repairable, the insurance company may also include the repair facility as a payee on the check. This ensures that all parties with a financial interest in the vehicle and its repair are appropriately addressed in the car accident settlement payment process.
Q. Who is ultimately responsible for the remaining balance of a car loan if my car is totaled in an accident and the settlement doesn’t cover it?
A. Even if your vehicle is stolen or damaged beyond repair in an accident, the borrower remains responsible for repaying the outstanding balance of the car loan. If the car accident settlement payment from the insurance company is less than the loan balance, the lender will expect you to pay the difference. To protect against this potential financial gap, you can typically purchase coverage known as “gap” insurance. Gap insurance is specifically designed to cover the difference between what your car is worth (its ACV) and what you still owe on your loan, providing crucial financial protection in total loss situations and ensuring you are not left paying for a car you no longer have after the settlement.
Q. Will the insurance company pay for a rental car while my vehicle is being repaired as part of a car accident settlement?
A. Yes, but only if you have specifically purchased rental vehicle coverage as part of your auto insurance policy. It’s important to review your policy details before you rent a vehicle to understand the specifics of your rental coverage. While policy limits can vary, typically, the insurance company will pay up to a specified daily amount for a predetermined number of days for a rental car. This rental coverage generally ends when your vehicle repairs are completed, when the loss is paid out as part of the car accident settlement, or after the specified coverage period expires, whichever comes first.
In cases where your vehicle is stolen, some policies may automatically include transportation expense coverage. Again, it’s crucial to review your policy to confirm these details. This type of coverage usually kicks in 48 hours after the theft is reported and ends when your vehicle is recovered, the loss is paid (as part of a car accident settlement for theft), or after a specified period, whichever occurs earliest.
Q. What is a collision damage waiver offered by rental car companies, and will my insurance company cover these charges in a car accident settlement?
A. When you rent a car, the rental agreement typically makes you, the customer, financially responsible for any collision damage that occurs while the vehicle is in your possession. Rental companies also carry their own insurance to cover damage to their vehicles caused by collisions. For an additional daily fee, rental companies offer a collision damage waiver (CDW). By purchasing a CDW, the rental company agrees to waive all or a portion of your financial responsibility for repair costs if the rental car is damaged in a collision. Both the cost of the CDW and the exact terms of the waiver can vary between rental companies. Whether your personal auto insurance policy will cover the cost of a collision damage waiver for a rental car depends on the specific language of your policy. It’s essential to carefully read your policy document and understand your coverage. If you are unsure, it’s always best to ask your insurance agent or company for clarification before you rent a vehicle to determine if CDW costs would be considered within a car accident settlement if the rental car is damaged.
Q. What does “salvage value” mean in a car accident settlement?
A. Salvage value refers to the remaining value of your damaged vehicle if it is declared a total loss by the insurance company. When a vehicle is totaled, meaning the cost to repair it exceeds its actual cash value, the insurance company may take possession of the damaged vehicle as salvage. The salvage value is the estimated amount the insurance company can recover by selling the damaged vehicle for parts or scrap. This salvage value is deducted from the vehicle’s ACV when calculating the total loss car accident settlement amount.
Q. What is subrogation and how does it relate to my car accident settlement?
A. Subrogation is a legal right that allows an insurance company to recover the amount of damages they have paid to you from a responsible third party. In the context of a car accident, if another driver is at fault and damages your car, and you file a collision claim with your own insurance company, your insurer has the right to seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver or their insurance company for the money they paid out on your claim. Your insurance policy typically requires your cooperation with the company’s subrogation efforts. Furthermore, you are generally prohibited from taking any actions that could jeopardize the insurance company’s right to subrogation recovery. For example, you cannot sign an agreement releasing the at-fault party from liability in exchange for them paying your deductible without potentially affecting the subrogation process and your car accident settlement.
Q. Is my insurance company obligated to help me recover my deductible as part of a car accident settlement?
A. This is a nuanced question. The insurance company is required to inform you whether or not they intend to pursue subrogation in your case. If your insurance company decides to pursue subrogation against the at-fault party, they are generally obligated to include your deductible in their recovery efforts. However, if the company chooses not to pursue subrogation, they must notify you so you have the option to pursue the recovery of your deductible on your own directly from the at-fault party. If the insurance company’s subrogation efforts are successful, either fully or partially, most companies will reimburse you a portion of your deductible based on the percentage of recovery they achieve. For example, if they recover 100% of the claim payout, you would typically receive 100% of your deductible back. If they only recover 65%, you would likely get 65% of your deductible reimbursed. Any expenses or legal fees the insurance company incurs during subrogation recovery efforts are usually proportionally shared between the company and you, if a recovery is made. However, if you prefer not to have your insurance company include your deductible in their subrogation efforts, you are usually entitled to seek recovery of your deductible directly from the other party yourself. It is always advisable to discuss this with your insurance company to avoid inadvertently jeopardizing their subrogation rights or your potential car accident settlement.
Q. Is my car insurance coverage valid when I drive outside of California?
A. Most auto insurance policies do extend coverage to other states within the United States, U.S. territories and possessions, and Canada. Similar to California, many states and territories have financial responsibility laws mandating that drivers carry a minimum amount of auto insurance to cover potential losses resulting from vehicle ownership or operation. If the financial responsibility requirements in the state or territory you are traveling to are higher than your policy limits, your insurance company will typically automatically meet these higher minimum requirements. However, it’s important to note that most standard U.S. auto policies do not provide coverage in Mexico. If you plan to drive your car into Mexico, you will need to purchase separate Mexican auto insurance coverage. It’s always a prudent step to verify your out-of-state coverage details with your insurance provider before you travel to ensure you have adequate protection wherever you drive and to understand how this might impact a potential car accident settlement if an accident occurs out of state.
California’s financial responsibility law is detailed in Section 16020 of the California Vehicle Code and subsequent sections. It requires all drivers to demonstrate the ability to pay for damages resulting from the ownership or operation of a motor vehicle.
Currently, California’s minimum financial responsibility requirements are: $15,000 for injury or death to one person in an accident, $30,000 for injury or death to two or more persons in a single accident, and $5,000 for property damage in any one accident. If you are stopped by a law enforcement officer for a traffic violation or are involved in a car accident, you may be asked to provide written proof of financial responsibility. One way to do this is by recording your insurance company’s name and policy number on your vehicle registration card issued by the DMV. It’s recommended to keep this proof of insurance readily available in your vehicle whenever you are driving. For more detailed information on California’s financial responsibility laws, you can contact the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Q. What should I do if I am served with a lawsuit (Summons and Complaint) following a car accident?
A. If you are served with a lawsuit related to a car accident, it is critical to notify your insurance agent and insurance company immediately. Keep a copy of the lawsuit documents for your records and promptly mail or deliver the original documents to your insurance company. It is generally advised not to give any statements or discuss the accident with anyone other than a verified representative from your insurance company. If the lawsuit arises from an incident covered by your insurance policy, your insurance company is contractually obligated to provide you with a legal defense. Properly handling a lawsuit is crucial to protecting your interests and ensuring a fair resolution, which may impact any potential car accident settlement if litigation proceeds.
Q. Is a newly acquired vehicle automatically covered under my existing auto insurance policy?
A. Most auto insurance policies do offer automatic coverage for a newly acquired vehicle if it is intended to replace a vehicle that was already listed on your policy. In such cases, the coverage for the new vehicle typically mirrors the coverage you had on the replaced vehicle. However, it is essential to notify your insurance broker or agent as soon as possible after acquiring a replacement vehicle to formally update your policy. If you wish to add additional coverage to the new vehicle beyond what you had on the replaced vehicle, there is usually a specific timeframe within which you must notify your agent or insurance company to arrange for this enhanced coverage.
Many policies also provide automatic, temporary coverage for a newly acquired vehicle that is in addition to the vehicles already insured under your policy. However, there are often specific conditions and time limits associated with this type of automatic coverage.
Most automatic coverage provisions require the insured to notify the insurer within a certain period, often 30 days, of acquiring the new vehicle if they want it to be permanently covered under their existing auto policy. It’s important to be aware that some policies have shorter notification periods, sometimes as brief as 14 days or less.
If the insured fails to notify the insurer about the newly acquired vehicle within the specified notification period, the vehicle will likely become uninsured after the automatic coverage period expires. Unless your insurance policy specifies a particular method of notification, verbally informing your insurance agent about the newly acquired vehicle is often considered sufficient to activate the automatic coverage. Ensuring your newly acquired vehicle is properly insured is vital to maintaining continuous coverage and protecting yourself financially in case of an accident, which could affect any future car accident settlement.
THINGS TO AVOID After a Car Accident (To Protect Your Settlement)
Certain actions or statements at the scene of a car accident, or in the aftermath, can potentially harm your ability to receive a fair car accident settlement. It is important to be mindful of these pitfalls:
- Do not argue with other drivers or passengers. Keep interactions calm and factual.
- Reserve your detailed account of the accident for the police and your insurance company. Avoid giving lengthy explanations or opinions to others at the scene.
- Do not sign any statements regarding fault or promises to pay for damages to the other parties. Refrain from admitting fault or making financial commitments at the scene.
- If another party offers to pay your deductible, do not sign anything. This could complicate the claims process and your settlement.
- Do not refuse to share necessary information. You are legally obligated to provide driver’s license, insurance, and vehicle details to other involved parties and law enforcement.
Important Tips for Maximizing Your Car Accident Settlement
To navigate the aftermath of a car accident and work towards a fair car accident settlement, keep these important tips in mind:
- Read your insurance policy thoroughly. Don’t wait until after an accident to understand your coverage.
- Seek clarification if you don’t understand your policy. Ask your agent and/or insurance company to explain any parts you find confusing.
- Call the police immediately after an accident. If there are injuries, also call paramedics.
- Gather as much information as possible at the accident scene. This information is crucial when you report the accident to your agent and/or insurance company and for the subsequent settlement process.
- Notify your agent and/or insurance company of the accident immediately. Prompt notification is key to starting the claims process and working towards a settlement.
- Cooperate fully with insurance adjusters and investigators. Your cooperation will aid in their investigation and help expedite the settlement process.
- Don’t hesitate to ask questions about the claims procedure. If anything about the process, including the settlement offer, is unclear, ask your agent or insurance company representative for a detailed explanation.
- Notify your agent or company in writing of any changes in your vehicle ownership. Keeping your policy updated is crucial for continuous coverage and a smooth claims process, should an accident occur.
Your Rights Under the Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations (California)
These regulations are designed to ensure fair and ethical handling of insurance claims, including car accident settlements, in California. Insurance companies are legally required to adhere to these practices:
- Full Disclosure of Policy Benefits: Insurance companies must advise you of all benefits, coverage options, time limits, and other relevant provisions within your insurance policy.
- Prompt Claim Acknowledgment and Investigation: They must acknowledge your claim, begin their investigation, provide necessary claim forms and instructions, and offer reasonable assistance immediately, but no later than 15 days after receiving your notice of claim. (A notice of claim is any written or oral communication from you reasonably informing the insurer of your intent to make a claim).
- Timely Communication Response: Insurers must respond to your communications promptly, specifically within 15 days of receipt.
- Decision on Claim Acceptance or Denial: They are required to accept or deny your claim promptly, and no later than 40 days after receiving your “proof of claim.” Proof of claim refers to documentation you provide that substantiates your claim and supports the extent or amount of your loss, such as repair estimates or a police report confirming vehicle theft.
- Reasonable Towing Expenses: Unless your insurer provided you with a specific towing company recommendation prior to your use of a towing service, they are obligated to pay reasonable towing expenses.
- Fair Settlement Offer: Insurers must offer a fair car accident settlement. In cases of total vehicle loss, the settlement must include applicable taxes, license fees, and transfer fees. The settlement offer should reflect the value of a comparable vehicle of similar kind and quality in the market. If you choose to retain the salvage of your vehicle, any deductions from the settlement for salvage value must be fair, measurable, and clearly explained.
- Prompt Claim Payment After Acceptance: Once your claim is accepted and a settlement agreement is reached, the insurer must pay the agreed-upon claim amount immediately, but no later than 30 days from the date of settlement.
- Subrogation Information and Deductible Recovery: Insurers must inform you whether they will pursue subrogation. If they do, they are generally required to include your deductible in their subrogation efforts, unless you have already independently recovered your deductible.
This is a simplified overview of key aspects of the Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations. For complete details, refer to the full regulations.
Automobile Insurance Fraud and Its Impact on Car Accident Settlements
Automobile insurance fraud is a significant issue in California and can take various forms, often complicating car accident settlements and increasing insurance costs for everyone. Common types of fraud include:
Automobile Property Fraud: This often involves unethical auto body repair shops and/or policyholders engaging in fraudulent practices, such as:
- Claiming pre-existing vehicle damage as accident-related damage.
- Inflating repair costs beyond the original estimate.
- Billing for unauthorized repairs.
- Charging for new, genuine parts while using cheaper aftermarket or used parts.
- Using substandard repair methods (like bondo) while billing for new part replacements.
- Falsely reporting vehicle theft or vandalism to collect insurance payouts.
It is crucial for consumers to meticulously review all paperwork from auto body repair shops to protect themselves from potential fraud. Be wary of repair facilities that recommend specific medical or legal offices, as this could be a sign of “capping,” which is the illegal referral of clients for a fee (a felony in California).
Automobile Accident Fraud: This frequently involves organized accident rings staging car accidents that are not genuine accidents. Common staged accident scenarios include:
- Suddenly stopping for no apparent reason to cause a rear-end collision.
- Intentionally disregarding right-of-way rules to provoke an accident.
- Yielding right-of-way to create an accident opportunity.
- Submitting claims with passenger lists that include individuals not actually present in the vehicle at the time of the accident.
- Listing false witnesses who were not at the accident scene.
- Exaggerating injury claims relative to the extent of vehicle damage.
- Using vehicles with temporary registrations, which can be a red flag in fraud schemes.
- Involving vehicles with pre-existing damage in staged accidents.
- Unsolicited contact from attorneys after an accident, which can be a sign of involvement with fraudulent schemes.
Be cautious of any unsolicited referrals to body shops, law offices, or medical offices after a car accident. Organized accident rings and “cappers” actively recruit individuals to participate in creating fraudulent accidents. “Paper accidents,” which exist only on paper with no actual collision, are also increasingly common in fraud schemes, as they are less risky in terms of physical injury and less likely to involve police investigation but still aim to generate fraudulent car accident settlements.
Auto Body Repair Shops and Your Car Accident Settlement
California law (Insurance Code §758.5) protects your right to choose your auto body repair shop. Insurance companies cannot mandate that you use a specific repair shop. However, they are allowed to recommend shops under these legally defined conditions:
- You, the consumer, must specifically request a repair shop recommendation from the insurance company.
- You must be informed in writing of your right to select any repair shop of your choice.
- If you agree to use the insurance company’s recommended shop, the insurer is obligated to restore your damaged vehicle to its pre-accident condition at no additional cost to you beyond what is stated in your policy or as legally permitted.
- If the insurance company provides an oral recommendation for a repair shop and you accept it, they must follow up with the legally required written notice within five calendar days.
If you choose to have your vehicle repaired at a shop of your own choosing, the insurance company is still required to pay the reasonable costs to repair your vehicle, provided the repairs are made according to accepted industry standards for quality and workmanlike automotive repairs.
- Insurers are prohibited from limiting or reducing reasonable repair costs based on what it would have cost if you had used their recommended repair shop.
- Importantly, the insurance company must stand behind the quality of repairs if you use their recommended shop. If the repairs are not done properly, they are responsible for ensuring the vehicle is correctly repaired.
Understanding your rights regarding repair shops is important when negotiating your car accident settlement, as repair costs are a significant factor in determining the settlement amount for vehicle damage.
Auto Replacement Parts and Vehicle Value in Car Accident Settlements
Auto repairs may involve replacing damaged parts with aftermarket parts, which are parts not manufactured by the original vehicle manufacturer. Aftermarket parts can be of equal or even superior quality to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. While aftermarket parts can be used for repairs, California law mandates that any such parts must be comparable to OEM parts in terms of kind, quality, safety, fit, and performance. Consumers should be aware of the following:
- Auto repair shops are legally required to provide you with a written repair estimate before starting any repairs on your vehicle. Once the work is completed, they must provide a written repair invoice. State law requires that the invoice clearly identify the type of auto parts used for repairs. Carefully review your repair invoice to ensure that the shop has properly identified each replaced part as used, reconditioned, rebuilt, aftermarket, or OEM.
The type and quality of replacement parts used in repairs can impact the overall value of your vehicle, which is a factor considered in car accident settlements, especially in cases of diminished value claims.
Consejos importantes (Important Tips – Spanish Overview)
A quick overview for our Spanish readers. So you’ve had an Accident, What Next?
- Lea su póliza. No espere hasta tener un accidente. (Read your policy. Don’t wait until you have an accident.)
- Si no entiende su póliza, pida una aclaración a su agente o a su compañía de seguros. (If you don’t understand your policy, ask your agent or insurance company for clarification.)
- Si tiene un accidente, llame a la policía. Si hay lesiones, llame a los paramédicos. (If you have an accident, call the police. If there are injuries, call paramedics.)
- Obtenga la mayor cantidad de información posible en el lugar del accidente, para entregársela a su agente y/o a su compañía de seguros. (Get as much information as possible at the accident scene to give to your agent and/or insurance company.)
- Notifique inmediatamente a su agente y/o a su compañía de seguros si tiene un accidente. (Notify your agent and/or insurance company immediately if you have an accident.)
- Coopere con los tasadores e investigadores de la compañía de seguros. (Cooperate with the insurance company’s appraisers and investigators.)
- Si no entiende algo sobre el procedimiento de las reclamaciones, por ejemplo, la cantidad de la oferta de liquidación, pida a su agente y/o a su compañía de seguros que se lo expliquen. (If you don’t understand something about the claims procedure, for example, the settlement offer amount, ask your agent and/or insurance company to explain it to you.)
- Notifique por escrito a su agente o compañía de seguros cualquier cambio en la propiedad de su vehículo. (Notify your agent or insurance company in writing of any change in your vehicle ownership.)
Talk to the Department of Insurance
The Department of Insurance is the state agency that regulates the insurance industry and works to protect the rights of insurance consumers.
Contact the California Department of Insurance (CDI) if:
- You feel an insurance agent, broker, or company has treated you unfairly.
- You have questions or concerns about health insurance.
- You want to order CDI brochures.
- You want to file a request for assistance against your agent, broker, or insurance company.
- You are experiencing difficulty opening a claim with your insurance company or in reaching a fair car accident settlement.
- You need to verify the license of an agent, broker, or insurance company.
Call:
Consumer Hotline 1-800-927-4357
TDD 1-800-482-4833
Write:
California Department of Insurance
300 South Spring St., South Tower, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Visit in person:
300 South Spring St., South Tower, 9th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90013
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday, except holidays
