The focus in the aftermath of any car accident is rightfully on ensuring everyone involved in safe and attending to injuries. Attending to property that has been damaged or destroyed in the accident can often fall to the wayside. However, personal items damaged or destroyed in the wreck can end up costing you nearly as much as any personal injury. According to the National Safety Council, the average car accident causes $6,500 in damages to personal belongings. That’s only slightly less than the average cost of personal injuries resulting from car crashes.
Despite these high costs, many people fail to realize they can receive payments from the insurance companies to cover the costs of repairing or replacing these belongings. Because property damage coverages differ from injury coverage, these claims can easily become complicated, with payments reduced or even denied by insurers.
If you’ve been in a car accident, you can read here: What Counts as Property Damage in a Motor Vehicle Accident?, the difference between personal property and personal injury, and how you can best support your claim with your insurance carrier.
What Counts As Property Damage in a Car Crash?
Property damage in a car accident quite often refers to damage to the vehicles involved in the crash. However, “property” also includes personal belongings inside the car that are damaged or destroyed. These items include car seats, electronics, carseats, clothing, and other items. This type of damage falls into three broad categories:
- Vehicle damage: This damage usually carries the highest costs to repair or replace, as even a minor fender bender can cost thousands of dollars to fix.
- Personal property: These are items inside the car that are damaged in the accident and can include everything except the car itself that needs to be repaired.
- Pet injuries: If you have an animal such as a dog or cat in your car, the vet costs associated with their injuries may be covered by insurance if the liable party has pet insurance or pet coverage with their car insurance.
Personal Injury vs. Property Damage Claims
In car wreck cases, claims related to personal injuries are processed separately from claims for personal belongings. This means that the two separate claims will be negotiated and settled on their own. So you can receive compensation for your personal property damages while your personal injury case is ongoing.
Evidence to Support Your Property Damage Claim
As with car accident personal injury claims, evidence supporting your claim is the key to receiving your full compensation. Most insurance companies require thorough documentation to go with any property claim. Take clear, detailed photos of each individual item, highlighting the damage to each. Get a notarized statement from a repair professional for any interior damage you can’t take a picture of. High-value items such as jewelry and luxury goods may require a notarized appraisal from a professional. Include any repair estimates or the replacement cost for each item. If your car is determined unrepairable, research the full and fair market value of your car’s make, model, and year.
If you’ve been in a car accident that has caused extensive property damage, hire a qualified car accident attorney to support your claim. They will investigate your accident, collect evidence proving the damages, and support you throughout the claims and negotiation process. Their help can be the difference between your claim being rejected and you receiving the compensation you deserve.
