How to get the most from your property damage claim in Atlanta, Georgia

If you have been involved in an automobile accident claim in Atlanta, Georgia, and the accident was not your fault, you can seek to have your car repaired by the insurance company for the at-fault driver. There are many things, however, to be aware of. First and foremost, the insurance adjustor for the other driver is not in the business of giving you the most that they can. Whether it is for repairs on a damaged vehicle or replacement value for a totaled car, the opposing adjustor will try to minimize what you will finally receive as compensation. This is the same for any car accident in the state of Georgia, city of Atlanta, or even surrounding areas such as Alpharetta, Georgia and Marietta, Georgia. The law firm of Howe and Associates has processed numerous property damage claims.

Diminished Value

If your car is not a total loss and it will be repaired, you are entitled to a diminished value claim. This will be a matter for you, as the injured party, to raise to the opposing insurance company. Diminished Value, "aka diminution in value", is the compensation you are entitled to receive as a result of the decrease in value your car suffers from being involved in an automobile accident. When you finally sell your car, the eventual buyer will be able to determine if it had been in an accident by accessing a national database and matching it to your car's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN Number). Cars that have been in an accident are naturally worth less. In the State of Georgia you have a legal right to be compensated for the diminished, or lost value and it is up to you to make sure you are. For example, if you eventually sold your car to a dealer in Marietta, Georgia, that dealer would be able to tell immediately whether or not your car had ever been involved in a crash.

Rental Car

You are entitled to compensation for a rental car to be used for transportation while your damaged vehicle is being repaired. Often, insurance companies will have a policy in which they will reimburse you for the rental car payments you incurred rather than utilizing a direct bill with the rental car company. In Alpharetta, Georgia, rental car reimbursement for a situation involving an auto accident claim, the average reimbursement is $25 per day. If the opposing insurance company stalls in providing this rental coverage, then you should contact your own automobile insurance agent to obtain a rental car if you have this coverage on your own insurance policy. If your insurance company pays for the rental, they will usually be reimbursed by the negligent driver's insurance company.

Repairs for your vehicle

It is important for you to make sure your car is being properly repaired. There are many good repair shops in the Marietta, Alpharetta, and Atlanta, Georgia areas and you can insist to have your car repaired by a reputable mechanic and body shop. Be sure to insist that the body shop that repairs your vehicle use original equipment manufacturer parts (OEM Parts) rather than used parts. These used parts are sometimes referred to as aftermarket parts. These are much cheaper than OEM Parts and, while they save the other insurance company money, you car will suffer a decrease in value. 

Issues for Totaled Cars

It is usually up to the opposing insurance company to determine if your vehicle will be ruled a "total loss". If they do, it is important for you to do your homework in order to get the best deal. You can use Kelly Blue Book Value, NADA book value, or you can do your own investigations to determine what other comparable vehicles are selling for in your area. In the Atlanta, Georgia area, there are many sources to compare used car values.