How Do I Negotiate a Property Damage Claim after an Automobile Accident in the Tampa Bay, Florida Area?

An automobile accident leaves you with an endless array of issues to deal with. From doctor visits to missed days at work to being without your car, a single automobile accident can affect virtually every area of your life. One major issue you will be forced to confront is getting your car repaired or replaced, and this is certainly not an enviable task.

Whether your automobile accident took place in Tampa, Clearwater, St Petersburg, or Thonotosassa, handling a car damage claim with an insurance company is a stressful and often time-consuming experience. A damage claim can get especially thorny if you disagree with the appraiser's opinion of damage to your car and how much the insurance company is willing to pay.

Many automobile accident victims are intimidated by insurance adjusters and feel there is no room to negotiate the amount of damage to their car, but this is not necessarily the case. If you are willing to spend the time and energy, there are ways to maximize the amount of money you receive for the property damage to your automobile. Your Tampa automobile accidents attorney may also be able to assist you in with your property damage claim, especially if he or she is also handling your injury claim. Some tips to consider when negotiating automobile accident property damage include:

• Gather all information in one place—accident reports, photos of your damaged vehicle, an inventory of valuable items inside the vehicle (i.e. laptop computers, stereo equipment, GPS devices, etc.)
• Write down what happened in the accident—have the date, time, circumstances, drivers involved, witnesses, etc. written down in one place.
• Get an estimate from at least two different auto body shops to repair your vehicle—this way, you will know how much repairs will costs (remember that, in most cases, you are not required to use the insurance company's preferred repair shop).
• Also think about the diminished value of your vehicle—if your vehicle is repairable, remember that it is impossible to bring a vehicle back to its former condition because an accident automatically diminishes its value. You may be entitled to compensation for your vehicle's diminished value, although realistically, such a claim is often very difficult to prove.
• Write down your questions—be ready to address all issues while you are speaking to an insurance company representative on the phone or in person.
• Document who you're speaking to and the time and date of your conversations—keep a record of what the insurance company says about your property damage. Actually, you should keep a journal of everything that happens related to your automobile accident. The entries don't have to be overly detailed, just enough information to jog your memory down the road if that becomes necessary.
• Keep in mind that each automobile accident is unique—just because the adjuster has handled cases similar to yours does not necessarily mean you have to agree to the same settlement everyone else does.
• Know what your vehicle is worth—go to Edmunds.com and Kbb.com (Kelly Blue Book) to get a third-party assessment of the free market value of your vehicle. This will be the approximate amount due to you if your car is declared a total loss.
• You may deserve more than just the amount your vehicle is worth—if you or the at-fault driver has collision coverage, you may receive compensation for money spent on rental vehicles and loss of use.
• Keep in mind that the first property damage settlement you are offered is at the low end—insurance adjusters have a range they are willing to offer you. You are not required to go with the first settlement amount you are given.

If, after you negotiate with an insurance company, you are not satisfied with the property damage settlement offered to you, speak to your Tampa automobile accidents attorney for advice on how to reach a fair settlement.

Dale Appell, P.A., is an automobile accidents attorney serving the entire Tampa Bay area including Lutz, Sun City Center, Clearwater, St Petersburg, New Port Richey, Tampa, Largo, Citrus, Pasco, Polk, and Oldsmar. Please contact us today to learn more about property damage and injury claims. We look forward to giving you a free initial assessment of your case.