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Many lawyers will not take on cases only dealing with property damage. Others will allow you to handle your own property damage claims so that you will not be charged. Here are our tips on handling your own property damage. It might be helpful for you to read

1. Do your home work: You need to know two things well. (1) What was the value of your car, and (2) what would be the cost of repairs. If you are fortunate enough, the insurance company will deal with the company that is repairing your car, and pay whatever costs are involved. However, if not, then its time to do some work. The first step is to find out what it is going to cost to repair your car. The best thing is to go to a few repair shops and get estimates. Most will give you a free estimate. If you can, get three done. The next step is to get the value of your car. You can go to several sources, first would be NADA http://www.nadaguides.com/ Note, it is important to remember that the value of your car should be when the wreck occurred. If you have not obtained the NADA Blue Book value promptly on line, you may need to go to the library. Many reference desks at libraries keep old copies of the NADA which publishes average values on vehicles. Find the one applies to the time your wreck occurred. Another way to find the value is to look at adds for your vehicle. Finally, if there was any recent updates, that may increase the value of your vehicle, then locate documentation. This could be anything from updates, such as a rebuilt motor, to custom wheels.

2. Find out what the insurance company deems your car is worth. Once the property adjuster has reviewed your car, and determined who is at fault, you should get an offer.

3. DON’T GET ANGRY OR UPSET: remember the insurance adjuster’s job is to save money. So if they have made a small offer, do not get angry. A good rule is to say, I will think it over, and get back to you, or say, I will discuss it with my spouse and call you back. You can check your research in the mean time, and get armed for the next conversation. If you have something you think made your car more valuable, be prepared to tell the adjuster, and send them any documentation of it.

4. Be aware of any towing, storage, or other expenses: If your vehicle was towed, you should have the bill. Make sure that they are considering that, and that you will be paid for it. Also, if the vehicle was towed, or you have left it with a garage, they may be charging money for every day that it is there. Find out, and make sure that you have that resolved when you are paid, and will not get any unexpected fees.

5. Be aware of other reasons for a low offer: many state laws provide for a reduction in the amount of your recovery if your own negligence was a cause in the accident. If that is your case, then you may need to do some more homework. If you have a lawyer handling your injury case, then you should contact him or her. If not, then get a copy of the police report to see what it says. You may need to get the names and addresses of witness to find out what they say.

6. Be prepared to negotiate: Sometimes, the adjuster may make you a low offer to see if you will take it. Instead of getting angry, the best way to deal with it is to just make a counter proposal. You may go back and forth until a deal is reached. Of course, you may feel that they are whittling you down, and they are. Consider what options you have, which is to file a suit. That could increase your costs.

7. Contact your own insurance company: If you have collision or comprehensive coverage, and you have been dealing with the other drivers insurance, you may need to contact your own insurance and have them process your claim. The other drivers insurance usually has less obligations to treat you fairly, but your own insurance will want to keep your business. They are obligated to pay, regardless of who is at fault.

8. Salvage Value: If your car has been totaled, which means the cost of repair exceeds the cash value of the car priot to the wreck, it usually considered a total loss. The insurance company may give you the option to keep the car like it is. If you do this, they normally deduct the value of the car if it were sold as scrap. Whether this is economical for you again requires you to do your homework. If you have your own repair estimates, you might find out how much it would costs to make that car safe to drive on the road. It may be ugly, but you could put off having to buy another car. Or if you're a handy man, you might repair it yourself.