REPORT ACCIDENT OR LOSS TO US PROMPTLY
If you are involved in an accident you must report it to the nearest Police Station within twenty four [24] hours after its occurrence and to us within thirty [30] days. The accident should be reported to us even if you were not at fault; failure to do so will affect the smooth processing of your claim from the liable party’s Insurer.
You will be asked to provide some basic information. To ensure speedier processing, you should try to have the following information with you when you report the accident:
- The make, year and licence plate number of the vehicle, and details regarding the circumstances of the accident including:
- Driver’s name and licence number (if someone other than the registered owner)
- Date, time and location of the accident,
- Number of passengers involved, if any,
- Extent of the injuries
- Extent of damage to the vehicle
- Names, drivers’ licence, and the telephone numbers of third parties, as well as the names of their Insurance Companies
- Make, year and licence plate number(s) of the vehicle
- Licence plate number(s) of the other vehicle involved.
- Contact details of any witness(es).
SUBMIT ALL RELEVENT DOCUMENTATION TO US
For Comprehensive Policyholders:
You will need to submit the following:
- Completed Motor Accident Report Form.
- Copies of your driver’s licence and vehicle documents
- A detailed Estimate of Repairs
For Third Party Policyholders: If you were not at fault in the accident, we will assist with recovery of your losses from the liable party or his Insurer on your behalf. If you were at fault, we will handle all reasonable claims presented against you as per the terms of your policy.
The following documents must be provided:
- Completed Motor Accident Report Form
- Copies of your driver’s licence and vehicle documents
- An Estimate of Repairs
- An Assessor’s Report from any of our approved Assessors
- Details of your claim for loss of use
WHAT TO EXPECT IF YOUR VEHICLE HAS BEEN DAMAGED
Comprehensive Coverage
Advantage General’s Motor Policy is based on the principle of indemnity. This means that our Clients’ will be placed in the same financial position that they were in prior to the happening of an accident. We will therefore pay for the cost of repairs (less depreciation/betterment) or the market value of your vehicle if you suffer loss caused by collision, theft and/or fire. The applicable policy excess will be deducted from the claim.
Upon the receipt of the Estimate of Repairs we will appoint an Assessor [if necessary] to assess the damage to your vehicle. The Assessor will provide us with the final estimated cost of the repairs or the market value of your vehicle in the case of a Total Loss.
Selecting a Repairer
You may choose to have your vehicle repaired at the garage of your choice. If the adjusted loss is above your excess we may choose to either issue a letter to your repairer giving authorization for the repairs to be done, or we may pay you the cash in lieu of repairs.
“Betterment” charges may apply
Betterment occurs when the repairs to your vehicle puts it into a better condition than it was before the accident. The principle on which Insurance is based does not allow for you to profit or “be better off” from you loss. You will therefore be asked to contribute towards this betterment.
You will be obligated to pay an Excess
When you submit a claim for damage or loss, the payment made by us will be subject to an excess, or the amount of the claim that you will be responsible for paying yourself. The excess is calculated as a percentage of your sum insured and is applicable even if you were not at fault in the accident.
If your vehicle is stolen, independent investigations will be conducted prior to a settlement offer being made. You will be required to submit the original vehicles documents to us. If they were stolen in the duplicates may be requested from the Collector of Taxes.
Third Party Coverage
If you purchased Third party coverage and you were not at fault in the accident, we will assist with recovery of your losses from the liable party or his Insurer on your behalf.
What to anticipate if you have been injured
The Personal Accident benefits will provide compensation regardless of fault, if you, the policyholder or your spouse suffers injury or death in an accident. If you are not at fault in the accident you may submit a claim for personal injury to the liable party’s insurer. You will be required to provide the following documents to substantiate your claim for personal injury:
- A Medical report
- Medical receipts
- Proof of Loss of Income [if applicable]
If you were not at fault in the accident and are seriously injured, it is recommended that you seek the services of an Attorney to handle the claim on your behalf.
The Recovery Process
The recovery process may extend beyond six months if the negligent party or his party’s Insurer does not cooperate, however sometimes settlement is quick. Although we make every effort to recover successfully, we cannot guarantee recovery of your uninsured losses and in some cases we are unable to recover anything.
If your vehicle has been damaged due to the negligence of the other party involved in the accident and we have settled your claim, we will engage in a recovery process with the Insurers of the negligent party which will seek to recover your uninsured losses for example loss of use
If you are a Third Party Policyholder and you were not the negligent party, we will assist with recovery of your losses from the liable party or his Insurer on your behalf.
This process involves the following:
- Advising the negligent party or the party’s insurer that we are seeking recovery of your losses against them.
- Distributing claim documentation and proof of payment to the negligent party and/or their Insurance Companies.
- Negotiating with the negligent party or the party’s insurer, when necessary.
- Issuing a “Deal Direct” letter facilitating your input into the recovery process
At Advantage General Insurance our reliability is your peace of mind.
