Featured Article from the Cooper Hurley

A Guide to Property Damage

One of the most frustrating things for our clients that are involved in a motor vehicle accident is the damage to their vehicle that results from the accident. This brochure has been put together to help you with common property damage scenarios that take place when you are involved in a motor vehicle accident. Every motor vehicle accident is different. Your property damage claim will be different too. The following information is designed to inform you of some of the terms and situations you MAY encounter as you deal with the insurance company in trying to resolve your property damage claim.

When you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, you should be focused on getting the proper medical treatment for you or your loved ones. The last thing you want to deal with is the damage to your motor vehicle that resulted from the accident. This damage is most commonly referred to as Property Damage and can really be difficult and seem unfair. Your car is worth more to you than it is to the insurance company.

The defendant’s insurance company accepts liability or responsibility for their insured causing the accident and agrees to take care of your property damage. They will usually send an appraiser out who will look over your vehicle and determine in his/her opinion if your vehicle is worth repairing and write an estimate for the repairs, or if it is a Total Loss. You may take your vehicle to a repair shop of your choice to get a second opinion. If your vehicle is declared a Total Loss, the insurance company will make you an offer for what they deem as the Fair Market Value.