The average Millennial didn’t grow up with internet access, but they probably had it by the time they were a teenager, and they have since mastered its use in every aspect of their lives. Millennials are often misunderstood by older generations, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t intelligent, hard-working members of American society.
Still, some of the areas in which Millennials lack experience could leave them at a disadvantage. For example, those with a good driving record may have never had to file a major insurance claim after a collision. That means they may not really understand the process.
While their insurance carrier may offer the option of handling a claim online or through a proprietary app, that isn’t always the best way to approach a major insurance claim after a motor vehicle crash. Before you submit a digital claim on an app, there are few things that you should consider.
Do you already have enough documentation?
Submitting a claim before you really understand the financial consequences of the crash could be a major mistake. Many people are so eager to start the process that they may submit documentation such as images of their damaged vehicle to the insurance company before police even arrive on the scene of the crash.
Unfortunately, on their own, photos can mislead insurance adjusters. More importantly, there can be information that the pictures don’t contain. Instead of just trying to submit a digital claim as quickly as possible, you want to be as thorough as you can to protect yourself from unnecessary claim denials or even allegations of shared responsibility for the collision.
You may have to talk to someone from the insurance company
The larger the claim you have to make, the more likely it is that your insurance company will want to review everything carefully. The investigators and adjusters that insurance companies send out after collisions have training in analyzing crashes. They also typically have skills in training intended to help them limit the company’s responsibility after a crash.
Insurance companies train staff to ask policyholders leading questions that can impact someone’s right to compensation after a crash. By getting you to admit partial responsibility or culpability for a crash, an insurance company can reduce how much they have to pay out on a claim. Many people choose to have their personal injury attorney present when they make an official statement with the insurance company to avoid this exact potential pitfall.
Make sure you assert your concerns at the scene of the accident
Many members of the Millennial generation have a deep skepticism toward authority figures, including law enforcement officers. That skepticism could mean that Millennial drivers are less likely to talk in depth with the police officer who arrives at the scene of the crash.
However, if you don’t tell the officer about your suspicions that the other driver was on social media or that you saw them throw something in the trash, the officer could miss important evidence that will drastically impact the outcome of their report on the accident and your insurance claim.
It is always better to err on the side of telling the officer unsubstantiated suspicions rather than risking an officer overlooking something that could prove the other driver was fully responsible for the crash.
