Understanding Auto Insurance in Georgia

Auto insurance in Georgia is used to help owners of motor vehicles protect themselves, whether they cause an accident or are the victim of an accident. After an auto accident and when it is safe to do so, the owners or drivers of each vehicle must share their auto insurance information. Next, the parties inform their respective auto insurers of the accident. 

In straightforward cases where there's property damage but minimal (if any) bodily harm, a settlement offer is often made and accepted. If anyone suffers any bodily injury, though, it's important to keep in mind that once you accept a settlement offer and receive the payout, you cannot return to the auto insurance company with an update on your recovery and request further compensation.

How Car Insurance Works in Georgia

At a fundamental level, car insurance is an agreement between an insurance company and the policyholder(s). Policyholders may be an individual, a group of individuals of a particular class (e.g., a family), occupants of a vehicle, or a company. 

When an insurance policy is taken out, the policyholder makes regular payments, known as premiums, to the insurer. In return, the insurance company agrees to cover the costs of damages associated with an accident, but only agrees to pay in accordance with the limits established by the insurance policy. 

An insurance policy can include first-party insurance, which covers property damage or bodily injury suffered by the person(s) named on the policy. It also includes third-party insurance, which is insurance purchased by a person or company to protect them against liability for property damage or bodily harm they (or someone on their behalf) may cause. 

Insurance Adjusters and the Claims Process

Insurance adjusters play an important role after a car accident. In short, adjusters are the employees of insurance companies whose main job is to investigate accidents and determine the liability of the insurance company and/or defendant. If you have been involved in an accident, then you will likely speak to an insurance adjuster. Typically, you have to at least give a statement to your own insurance company after the accident; however, you should never give a statement to the other party's insurance adjuster. 

If you are in an accident, one of the first steps you take after the accident is to contact your insurance company. The company will deploy an insurance adjuster to investigate the claim, decide whether it has merit, and determine how much to pay. Many insurance companies also employ and train claims adjusters to be thorough and exhaustive. It is common for them to use multiple investigation techniques to determine the veracity of a claim including private investigators, social media searches, and background checks. 

Contact an Attorney in Athens and Atlanta Today

Contact our office today at 470-936-7507 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you.