Expert: Doctor Settlement - 3/27/2008

Question
Hi, I filed a claim with my own insurance after an accident. The insurer sends me a form to complete an insurance version accident report including drawing the accident scene. Should I complete it or just ask the insurer to get the police report. I am afraid of negative effect on the determination of fault on me if provide something wrong. The police report cannot determine the fault. The damages are minor and in my car only. Thank you for your answer.


Answer
Hi Ray,

Yes, you have to complete the report that YOUR OWN insurer sends to you.  Do not worry about any adverse impact upon your third party claim versus the tortfeasor: what you send to your insurer will NOT be shared with the third party carrier.  And since this is not a policy limits case, your Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage will not come into play.

Be as thorough as you can be.  And do not worry about there being damage only to your car.  There are plenty of accidents wherein trauma is suffered to cause injury, but the damage is light.  

Yes, that will be a problem with your third party claim, hence, you will need to take a look at all ways of documenting an insurance claim http://www.settlementcentral.com/page0103.htm  for maximum injury settlement.  

You are correct about the police report not being used to determine fault, although most adjusters will expect that the police should assign fault.  In truth, since she was not a witness, all the police officer can do is to take down the testimony of the parties and witnesses.  

Hence, I would rely upon photos of the scene and maybe get some map or overhead photo from the Internet.  Mark those up to include with your correspondence with the adjuster.  Photographs evidence http://www.settlementcentral.com/page0200.htm for insurance injury claims.  Also an insurance company http://www.settlementcentral.com/page0231.htm pays settlements based upon proof, and photos are tops in proving your injury claim.  

Best Wishes,

Dr. Settlement, J.D. (Juris Doctor)
Http://www.SettlementCentral.Com