WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT DAMAGE TO YOUR VEHICLE
The insurance industry defines “property damage” as any damage to your car or truck, as well as any damage to items inside your vehicle. In other words, property damage includes anything dealing with vehicles or property involved in a car accident.
WE ASSIST OUR CLIENTS WITH PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIMS IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR BODILY INJURY CLAIMS. WE HANDLE PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE MAIN FOCUS IS ENSURING THAT OUR CLIENT’S VEHICLE IS REPAIRED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, OR THAT OUR CLIENT RECEIVES A CHECK FOR THE TOTAL LOSS AMOUNT. A VEHICLE IS CONSIDERED A “TOTAL LOSS” (OR “TOTALED”) IF THE COST OF REPAIRING IT IS MORE THAN SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT (75%) OF THE VEHICLE’S WORTH. - LA. R.S. 32:702
IN ALMOST EVERY SITUATION, THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL SEND OUT AN ADJUSTER TO WRITE AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR WORK. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT OUR CLIENTS OBTAIN A SECOND OR EVEN THIRD ESTIMATE FROM A LOCAL BODY SHOP TO COMPARE AND DETERMINE IF THE INSURANCE COMPANY’S ESTIMATE IS FAIR. WE ALSO HELP OUR CLIENTS REVIEW WHETHER THE TOTAL LOSS AMOUNT, IN TOTAL LOSS SITUATIONS, IS FAIR. WE SUGGEST THAT OUR CLIENTS PLUG IN THEIR VEHICLE INFORMATION TO KBB.COM OR NADA.COM FOR BALLPARK ESTIMATES ABOUT THEIR VEHICLE’S VALUE. IN ADDITION, WE HELP OUR CLIENTS WITH SETTING UP A RENTAL CAR, IF NECESSARY. THERE ARE ALSO MONETARY DAMAGES THAT CAN SOMETIMES BE RECOVERED IN CONNECTION WITH A PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIM. THE MOST COMMON ARE:
“Loss of Use” damages, which compensate for the time the vehicle is inoperable, and
“Diminished Value” damages, which account for the loss in value of a vehicle from being involved in a wreck. A vehicle inherently loses value after being involved in a collision, and Louisiana law states that you can recover monetary damages for this loss in value. - La. R.S. 9:2800.17 This is one reason it is so important to get the carfax before purchasing a car.
If a client does not have collision coverage then she or he will have to go through the other’s insurance company – which takes more time. That is one reason we recommend that our clients purchase collision coverage, if they have the means.
FINALLY, WE ASSIST OUR CLIENTS IN RECOVERING COMPENSATION FOR ANY BELONGINGS DAMAGED DURING A CAR WRECK. THIS COULD INCLUDE, FOR EXAMPLE, CLOTHING THAT WAS TORN OR RIPPED, A BROKEN LAPTOP THAT WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE, OR CAR SEATS. ANYTIME CAR SEATS ARE INSIDE A VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A WRECK, WE ASSIST OUR CLIENTS IN OBTAINING A REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE CAR SEATS’ VALUE. MANUFACTURERS RECOMMEND REPLACING CAR SEATS ANYTIME YOU’VE BEEN INVOLVED IN A MODERATE OR SEVERE WRECK. FOR THIS REASON, WE HIGHLY SUGGEST THAT YOU KEEP YOUR CAR SEAT RECEIPTS IN A SAFE PLACE.
If you have been involved in a car wreck, or have any questions regarding your property damage claim, call us call us for free anytime to discuss your rights!
