Lakeland Progressive Claims Lawyer

Progressive insurance company is right up there with the biggest insurance companies in the US. With millions of policyholders all over the US, it is highly likely that you will be dealing with the company if you were involved in an accident. Understanding the process and what to expect is often crucial for a successful claims process. Insurers are typically challenging to deal with, and Progressive is no different. To be sure that you have the best chances of receiving fair compensation, there are several steps you need to take. Our Lakeland Progressive claims lawyers at Dismuke Law have represented several clients in filing claims with Progressive and intimately understand their process. This page explains what you can expect when dealing with Progressive and how to go about the process.

What can you expect when dealing with Progressive?

Like most insurance companies in the US, Progressive maintains a commercial reputation of being a big, established, and dependable insurer. Their advertisements are typically cheerful, engaging, and designed to assure you that they have your back. Sadly, that assurance does not often go beyond the advert.

Progressive, like most insurance companies, owes its primary obligations to its bottom line and its shareholders. The company has built a significant and highly profitable business by maximizing profits and reducing exposure to loss. For them, this often means paying out the absolute minimum they can get away with on insurance claims and denying as many claims as they can. The company has been known to adopt policies that do not consider the welfare and rights of policyholders first and foremost. In 2012, Progressive was implicated in a social media firestorm where it refused to pay on an insurance claim involving the wrongful death of its own policyholder. Despite the fact that the claim was deserving, the company chose to go to court over the claims and denied the family compensation for two years, only to settle for a higher amount.  The scandal exposed the company’s commitment to protecting its bottom line at all costs, even when this hurts its policyholders who have faithfully paid their premiums every month for years. Overall, this indicates that when it comes to filing a Progressive claim, it is absolutely vital for you to be prepared to fight for the compensation you deserve.

What should you do immediately after your accident?

Immediately after your Lakeland car accident or Lakeland personal injury, there are steps you must take to ground your claim and lay a solid foundation. These include the following:

• Remain at the scene of the accident and call 911 immediately.  A police officer will typically arrive at the scene and make a police report. Be sure to get a copy
• Seek medical attention, and be sure to tell your health care providers all your symptoms, not just the primary problem.
• Take pictures of the scene of the accident, including skid marks, damage to the vehicles, and license plates. Also, if you’re able speak to witnesses that saw the accident and collect their contact information
• Write down everything you remember about the accident, so you have a coherent story
• Speak to a Progressive claims attorney as soon as you can
• If you report the claim yourself, keep the interaction brief, and do not speculate on any of the events of the accident. Relate only the facts as they occurred. Keep in mind what you say may be recorded by Progressive.
• Important!!: Do not sign any documents or agree to anything without first consulting with a Lakeland car accident lawyer

What is the process for filing a Progressive claim?

Your claim typically starts with contacting the insurance agent. Progressive usually has different claims processes for specific insurance claims, including Auto, Property, RV, Motorcycle/Power Vehicles, Boat/ PWC, and other claims. For instance, auto insurance claims will typically begin with filing a claim through the Progressive mobile app, website or phone. All claimants, including policyholders and third party claimants, are usually encouraged to go through one or more of these media to begin their claim.

What information do you need to file your claim?

You will be required to provide information and documentation about your claim, including:

• Your insurance policy number, if you are a Progressive policyholder. If you are not, you will need to provide the policy number and personal details of the at-fault person who is insured by Progressive
• You may have to provide the make, type and license number of vehicles involved in the accident
• A copy of the police report made at the scene of the accident
• The contact information of all passengers involved in the accident, if you have this (usually listed on the traffic crash report)
• The contact information of witnesses that were at the scene, if available (usually listed on the traffic crash report)
• Pictures, video and other evidence you have of what transpired at the scene
• Comprehensive information and documentation of your injuries, including medical records and bills
• Wage information and medical records that show the restrictions your doctor has placed on you due to the traffic crash
• Details of other loss you suffered from the accident
• Contact information of an auto repair shop that you trust to provide an independent estimate of the likely cost to repair your vehicle

What happens after you file your Progressive claim?

The company will fist assign a claim number to your case. This unique number identifies your claim and will be used to track your claim while the company is processing it. It will also be useful when you want to check on the progress of your claim. The company will send out a claims adjuster to inspect the damage done to your vehicle. The purpose of the inspection is usually to assess the extent of the damage and the likely cost of repairs. They will also try to ascertain if the vehicle can be regarded as a total loss. You should be on your guard here, though, as the company usually uses the pretext of investigation to try and uncover reasons why they should minimize or deny your claim. The reasons don’t have to be especially good. That’s how desperate they can be to avoid paying you. Another trick these insurers employ in minimizing claims is by informing you that you are required to provide a recorded statement. In Florida, you are not required to give a recorded statement to the at-fault insurance company. However, you are required to cooperate with your insurance company’s investigation, which could include giving them a recorded statement. These statements are usually designed to catch you saying something that damages your claim. Do not agree to make a recorded statement or any statement for that matter without first speaking to an Lakeland Progressive claims lawyer. After the investigation, the claims adjuster will send you an estimate of the loss you have suffered and make a settlement offer. This offer will usually be significantly lower than what you deserve. Learn more about how to value your Progressive claim here.

When should you contact a Progressive claims attorney?

The best time to contact a Progressive claims attorney is right at the beginning of the claims process. This would especially be the case if you suffered bodily injury in the accident. Accidents that involve bodily injury usually take longer, and the insurance company will be doing everything possible to pay you as little as possible. Give yourself the best chance at receiving fair compensation by contacting a Progressive claims attorney as early as you can.