Top Tips For A Successful Car Insurance Claim

It’s a fact of life that accidents will happen, even with the best will in the world. In those instances, it’s important to be able to rely on your insurance policy whatever you’re protecting, whether it be your home, your business or your vehicle.

Unfortunately, when it comes to insuring your car, drivers are guilty of failing to fully understand their policy or making mistakes when setting up their insurance, which can leave them in danger of a rejected claim should they need financial assistance in the aftermath of an incident.

With that in mind, we’ve put together a quick set of tips to put you in the best possible position when it comes to claiming on your car insurance.

Be honest
Little white lies can be devastating when it comes to insurance; a small concession when creating your policy or when making a claim can have huge consequences further down the line; your cover could be invalidated or your claim could be rejected, leaving you seriously out of pocket in the event that you need financial assistance in the aftermath of an accident.

That’s why honesty is so vital. Be clear and truthful with your insurance provider when setting up your policy and when making a claim; it will save you in the long term and make the process of making a claim easier.

Select the right policy for you
It’s never been easier to find a cheap deal on your car insurance thanks to the advent of price comparison websites, but whilst selecting the most affordable policy might be cheaper, it’s also an easy path to your claim being rejected if your policy isn’t appropriate for you.

Make sure your policy reflects your driving habits, i.e. commuting, and confirm that your voluntary and compulsory excess are appropriate before you arrange cover.

Read the small print
Whilst suggesting such a thing may be groan-inducing, it’s important that you understand every aspect of your policy so that you can operate and maintain your vehicle appropriately during the terms of your insurance. For instance, a seemingly minor modification to your vehicle like installing a tow bar can invalidate your policy if you don’t notify your insurer, so make sure any changes or house moves are communicated properly to keep the terms of your policy up to date.

Secure your car properly and keep your MOT up to date
A simple one, but important to note; your car must be appropriately stored and maintained. Theft claims will likely be rejected instantly if, for instance, your keys are left in the ignition. Policies will likely be invalid if you’re driving on an invalid MOT certificate, so it’s imperative to keep it up to date.

Report accidents and incidents promptly
There are a million things to worry about when you are involved in a car accident, but it’s vital that you contact your insurer as soon as possible and report your losses. Provide photographic evidence or dashcam footage if you have any, both of which are hugely useful in the event that you need to make a claim. Your insurer will deal with the third party, so getting this vital task out of the way gives them the best possible chance of delivering a positive result for your claim.