Welcome to Washington Auto Law. If you’ve recently been involved in a car accident in Washington State, you’re likely facing a lot of uncertainty. This video will guide you through the phases you need to understand to quickly and confidently settle your own vehicle damage claim with the insurance companies.

Phase 1: First, check if you have collision coverage, which pays to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged in an accident. Review your policy details, check if you have rental coverage, and note your deductible amount. If your vehicle was towed, it’s crucial to inform your insurance company of its location as soon as possible.

Phase 2: The investigation and liability phase allows both your insurance company, and the other driver’s insurance company, the right to investigate, which can take anywhere from a few days to a month. You are entitled to a rental car if your vehicle is not drivable and liability has been established, or if it is drivable, once your car is dropped off for repairs. 

Please be aware that getting a rental car from the other’s driver’s insurance company can be delayed for several days and weeks while they are verifying their own driver’s coverage and confirming how the accident happened. They must talk to their insured to get the accident facts, and they will want to review the police report.

If your vehicle is drivable, you can get a rental once your car is dropped off at the repair shop, provided the necessary parts are already there. You can keep the rental until your vehicle is ready for pick-up or if it’s deemed a total loss. If your vehicle is towed and sitting at a tow yard, it’s in your best interest to mitigate your own damages by removing the vehicle to avoid daily fees. If removal isn’t possible, ensure to remove your belongings and take detailed pictures of the vehicle, including the odometer and VIN number. Alternatively, you might consider selling the vehicle to the tow yard to retain some value before it potentially goes to auction.

Phase 3: The insurance company will conduct a preliminary estimate to decide whether the vehicle is repairable or a total loss. If repairable, the vehicle will undergo a full teardown at the shop to assess further damage. Any additional damage estimates are then sent directly by the body shop to your insurance company. You have the choice of repair shop—either your own or one affiliated with your insurance. Repair timelines will vary based on parts availability, and you’ll be notified once repairs are complete or if the vehicle is declared a total loss.

Phase 4: If your vehicle is deemed a total loss, the insurance company will conduct a CCC Valuation Market report to determine the value based on similar vehicles sold within a 50-mile radius. It’s important to carefully review your evaluation and ensure all indicators match your vehicle. If something is missing, you can contact the total loss department to possibly add value to your vehicle’s valuation. Remember to inform the insurance company if you’ve made any upgrades to your vehicle within the last 90 days. If you have a lien holder, provide this information to your insurance as they will obtain payoff information for your loan. If the valuation of your vehicle is less than the owed amount on your loan, you should contact your GAP insurance to initiate a claim. The insurance company will then provide you with the valuation report and settlement breakdown for you to provide for your GAP Insurance.

Phase 5: Finally, be mindful of property damage limits in Washington State. The minimum coverage is $10,000. If you are using the at-fault party’s insurance and the costs exceed these limits, the insurance company will not cover the exceeding amount.

With this knowledge, you’re well-equipped to handle your vehicle damage claim. Remember, while Washington Auto Law is here to help guide you, these steps can often be successfully managed on your own, ensuring a swift and fair resolution to your claim.