"Document everything—photos, weird noises, handling issues."
Couldn't agree more. Keeping detailed records saved me big-time when I disputed a denied claim last year. Also, getting an independent mechanic's written assessment can really strengthen your case if things escalate... worth the upfront cost, IMO.
Yeah, documenting is key. Had a similar issue a couple years ago—insurance initially denied my claim saying the damage was pre-existing. Luckily, I'd snapped some quick photos right after the accident, timestamped and all. Sent those in, and suddenly they changed their tune. Also, dashcam footage can be a lifesaver if you've got one. Even if it doesn't capture the exact moment clearly, it can still provide context about driving conditions or other vehicles involved. Learned that lesson the hard way... now I never drive without it.
Good points about documenting, especially the dashcam bit. But just curious—have you ever found that dashcam footage actually complicated things? I've seen cases where unclear footage led to more back-and-forth between insurers, each interpreting the same video differently. Photos are usually straightforward, but video can sometimes muddy the waters a bit. Still agree it's generally helpful, but wondering if anyone else experienced this downside...?
Had a similar thing happen once. My dashcam caught the accident, but the angle was weird and the lighting sucked, so insurers went back and forth forever arguing about who was at fault. Photos prob woulda been clearer in hindsight...
Dashcams are handy, but they're not foolproof. Next time, snap clear pics of damage, skid marks, and positions right after the accident. Insurers love to nitpick blurry footage... learned that the hard way myself.