Rahim purchases a brand new car, along with suitable comprehensive insurance coverage, and pays the premiums on time. One morning, his car meets with an accident unexpectedly and the car’s trunk gets damaged. He believes that his car insurance will step in and cover the cost of the damage, saving him from a big financial burden. So, he immediately filed a claim. However, the insurer rejected it. Rahim is surprised and dismayed to discover that his insurance doesn't cover the cost of the damage - leaving him to bear the full cost himself. Upon questioning the insurer, he was informed that no claim will be honoured without a police report, so he should have notified the police immediately after the accident.

To ensure you don't experience a similar fate, it is important to become knowledgeable about the claim settlement process. There are a few things you need to keep in mind before making a claim - in order to ensure a stress-free, efficient claim settlement process. Let’s discuss.

Things To Note While Making A Claim

Here are some things to keep in mind when you make a claim -

1️⃣Report To The Police
It is very important to inform the police right away after an accident occurs. Reporting the accident quickly can ensure that all of the details are accurately recorded. A claim will not be entertained by any insurance company if it is not backed by a police report.

2️⃣Take Photographs
Make sure you take as many photos as possible of the accident scene and your vehicle before the police arrive to inspect them. Documenting the scene serves as proof of the accident, so be sure to capture as much detail as you can.
You can hand over the photographs to the police and your insurance company for further action.

3️⃣Get In Touch With Your Insurer
After that, you should inform your insurer about the accident and provide -
● Detailed information about the same, as this will help your insurer to process the claim in the most efficient way.
● All the documents related to the accident, including police reports, claim forms, Emirates IDs, registration certificates, etc.

4️⃣Review The Policy Documents
Before submitting a claim, it is important to review the policy documents so that you can be sure that you are filing a valid claim and that you understand what’s covered and not covered in the policy. Additionally, you may be able to find information about any conditions or limitations that could affect your claim.

5️⃣Always Be Honest
Honesty is the best policy - it's the only way to ensure you are obtaining the most from your insurance plan. You should be truthful with your insurance company regarding your car and your policy and not conceal any important information. Be upfront with the insurer about what happened at the site of the accident, and never alter the story in an attempt to make your claim stronger.

6️⃣Never Move Your Vehicle - please review this. Go through the fines which includes obstruction of traffic following accident. Dubai Police has an APP which can generate the police report by the user directly as long as the at fault party and not at fault party is easily identified and the damages are minor.
In the event of an accident, do not try to move your vehicle from the scene because this could delay or lead to a rejection of your insurance claim. Even if it appears that the damage to your vehicle is minimal, it is important to stay put and contact the police and your insurer. Furthermore, if you are at fault and flee the accident scene, you could face legal repercussions.

7️⃣Turn Down Any Negotiations
You might think that negotiating with the other party would be better than proceeding legally by contacting the policy or your insurance company. Whenever an accident occurs, it is important to note down the names, phone numbers, and car numbers of those involved in the accident and then proceed with the necessary steps. If the other party is found at fault, then they will be responsible for covering the expenses of your vehicle's damages.

Wrapping Up!
Understanding the car insurance claim process is like packing all the right essentials before a trip: it may take extra time and effort, but it will save you headaches down the road. So, make sure you keep the aforementioned things in mind - to ensure a hassle-free claim experience.