English 
Español 
Insurance companies typically require or request photos of your car if there’s an accident and you’re filing a claim. This isn’t much of a surprise, since the company needs to see what kind of damage occurred. However, there are times when your insurance provider might want pictures of your car for other reasons. Below, the professionals at Altra Insurance, providers of car insurance San Diego drivers trust for reliable, high-quality service, explain why insurance companies might request vehicle photos.
New Policy Photo Requests
If you’re in the process of purchasing a new auto insurance policy, the company may request vehicle photos as part of this process. In this instance, the reason for the request is to have a visual account of the current condition of your car. Your insurance provider may also make this request to identify any existing damage to your vehicle. What this does is prevent you from filing a claim later for preexisting damage.
Policy Renewal Pictures
Not all insurance companies do this, but it can still happen. In this case, the purpose of requesting photos of your car is to see if its condition has changed since you initially signed up for your policy. There may also be new picture requests for this purpose if you purchased a new car since your policy was last renewed.
Claim-Related Car Photos
As we initially stated, the most common reason your insurance company might ask for pictures of your car is because you’re filing a claim. The main reason for this type of photo request is to confirm the accuracy of your claim-related details. Your photos may also be compared with ones you submitted when you signed up for your policy.
In many instances, submitting pictures after an accident speeds up the claim process. This can also be beneficial for you by facilitating the following claim-related steps:
• Documenting the damage that occurred
• Making a more accurate determination of the costs related to fixing the damage
• Issuing a payout related to your claim if it’s approved
Insurance claims adjusters also know how to find potential issues you may not be aware of yourself. For example, a small chip in your windshield may be spotted in a photo you submitted. Based on this visual evidence, your insurance company may recommend getting the chip fixed now so your windshield doesn’t develop a larger crack later. This saves you money while also eliminating the need to file a future claim related to the crack.
What Kind of Photos to Submit
If possible, it’s also a great idea to take a brief video if you’re preparing to file a claim. When it comes to photos, it’s best to take pictures from as many different angles as possible. It’s also helpful to take pics of the entire accident scene to provide a more detailed visual account of what occurred. You may be worried about your pictures affecting your insurance rates in the future. However, it’s also a process that increases your odds of receiving the maximum compensation you’re entitled to receive.
It’s important to make sure you find the most reliable car insurance to protect yourself in the future. If you need affordable, dependable car insurance, look no further than the trustworthy pros at Altra Insurance Services. We can take care of a variety of your insurance needs, including motorcycle, homeowners, and auto insurance National City. Give us a call today at (619) 404-6311 to find out more about our high-quality insurance products and impeccable service.