Published: September 29, 2020 | Updated: October 8, 2020 | Posted by: Ricky Publico | Car Insurance
Add car insurance to the list of things you need but you hope you’ll never use. Alas, just like power generators, fire extinguishers, and basic first aid kits, you will eventually arrive at a situation where you’ll need help filing a car insurance claim. In 2018 alone, Metro Manila had at least 100,000 recorded accidents[1] that were either fatal or injured people.
Dealing with situations like a car accident or car theft is stressful as it is. You do not need the added stress of handling all the added expenses related to your car. That’s why you bought an insurance policy in the first place.
Filing a car insurance claim in the Philippines ensures that you will receive assistance and compensation for the loss or damage your car will sustain in an accident. As a responsible car owner, you should know the entire process of filing a claim and the steps you need to take in the aftermath of a road accident.
After all, you paid good money to protect your car from unforeseen events. You don’t want to waste that investment now, do you?
Note that this article is only meant to give you a general idea about the car insurance claim process. Car insurance providers in the Philippines have different requirements, procedures, and other things related to claims, so it’s still best to consult your insurer for specific concerns with your insurance claim.
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When you get into an accident, remember to stay calm and have the presence of mind to do the following to help speed up the processing of your insurance claim.
The police will gather all important details, investigate the incident, and note the damages to the vehicles and properties. Don’t forget to request a police report since it’s a requirement when you file an insurance claim. If there are no police in the area, write down and sketch the details of the accident in a sheet of paper then ask all parties involved to sign it.
Use your smartphone to take pictures of the accident with the actual vehicle position, a close-up view of the damaged portion of your vehicle showing the plate number, and other vehicle involved in the collision. Also, check the dash cam videos from the cars involved for added evidence.
Try to get the following details needed for filing a car insurance claim from the other party. If the other party fled and you failed to identify the other vehicle, talk to the witnesses around the area for more details.
This step is important to secure a medical certificate, another insurance claim requirement. It will indicate the extent of the injury sustained and the required treatment or medication.
Read more: 7 Types of Car Insurance Claims You Can File in the Philippines
Once you have all the needed information, documents, and evidence from the incident, you can proceed with filing a car insurance claim. Contact your car insurance provider immediately and report the damage or loss by providing the following information.
The insurance company will walk you through the next steps regarding your insurance claim. It will also provide you with instructions on what to do with your car, a list of accredited car repair shops, and the documents you need to submit.
When filing a car insurance claim, your insurance provider will require you to present certain documents. Here are the basic car insurance claim requirements you need to secure.
Aside from the basic documents, you also need to prepare other documents depending on the nature of your claim.
Read more: How to Get an Affidavit for Car Insurance Claim
In case of an accident involving a third party, you’ll need to secure a Certificate of No Claim from the third party’s insurance company prior to the processing of your car insurance claim. This document certifies that the third party has not made any claims from his own insurance, preventing him or her to file a double claim in the future.
If the third party doesn’t have a comprehensive car insurance, he or she can still secure a Certificate of No Claim to his or her CTPL insurance provider. Note that most providers charge PHP 50 – PHP 100 to produce a Certificate of No Claim, while the more high-end providers don’t charge anything.
After submitting all the requirements, the insurance provider will begin the inspection and evaluation of the damaged car. The car insurance claim period[2] can take as fast as three to seven days or as long as weeks or months, depending on the gravity of the damages. It’s best to follow up with your insurer from time to time.
Once your claim is approved, the insurance company will issue a Letter of Authority (LOA), which means you can have your vehicle fixed by the insurer’s accredited dealership. The car repair shop will only begin the repair upon the release of the LOA.
Not all claims end up getting approved. A claim may get rejected if the type of vehicle damage is not covered by the policy. Failure to follow the terms and conditions of your car insurance may also lead to a claim rejection.
Here are the common factors that may disqualify you from filing a car insurance claim.
Read carefully the terms and conditions of your car insurance policy so you know what you are entitled to and when you can make a claim. Also, make sure to pay all your premiums to avoid getting your insurance claim denied.
Read more: 8 Possible Reasons Your Car Insurance Claim Got Denied
If the insurance provider rejects your car insurance claim despite meeting the requirements and providing enough evidence, you can file a dispute with the company and request for a review.
If your insurer still denied your claim after they reviewed your dispute, you can seek help from the Insurance Commission[3] that supervises insurance companies in the Philippines. This government agency assists in the settlement of any claim issue between an insurance provider and a policyholder.
Now that you have a general idea on filing a car insurance claim, you should feel more confident the next time you get into a fender bender. But if the entire process still overwhelms you, we’re here to help!
Moneymax can take you through the entire process of filing a car insurance claim. We will help you in every step of the process, from accomplishing your requirements to getting you your LOA. And the best part? Our services are free! Get started by clicking below.
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Sources:
Ricky is the zaniest Senior Content Writer at Moneymax, with over five years of writing experience in the digital marketing industry. He is a huge fan of pro wrestling, smartphones, and binge-watching. Follow Ricky on LinkedIn.