The insurer typically has the upper hand in this process because they deal with claims every day — while you might be handling your first negotiation. To get the best settlement, research how much it will cost to repair your car, and be prepared to negotiate.

Research the cost of repairs

After the car accident, you'll file a report with your insurer. A claims adjuster from the insurance company will estimate the cost of repairing your car and will make an offer to settle the claim.

Negotiate in good faith

If the insurer's initial offer isn't enough, you can negotiate. Prepare by figuring out how much you think is fair, based on your repair estimates. If the offer is below what you anticipated, try to keep a level head. Ask the adjuster to justify their offer, so you can understand the factors that shaped it.

Beware of the "betterment" argument

One thing an adjuster can argue is called "betterment." A mechanic will need to use fairly new parts to repair an old car, which can actually make the car more valuable than before the accident — or so the insurance company may argue.

Most car insurance companies will either charge you for the excess value or reduce their payment in proportion to the value increase. To counter their betterment charge, you'll need to prove the parts will not in fact increase the value of your car. Testimony from your mechanic or an expert witness would help in this case.

Working with a write-off

If your vehicle has suffered extensive damage, it might be written off as a "total loss." That can happen when the insurance company says the cost of repairs exceeds the actual cash value of the car. What constitutes a total loss varies between states.

If you want to negotiate with the claims adjuster on this decision or educate yourself on total losses, you should find out which formula your state uses. It's helpful to show proof that the car is worth more than what the insurer estimated. For example, if the appraisal failed to fully account for any modifications you made, document those and show evidence that they may have raised the value of the vehicle.

If you still feel the payout offer isn't fair or you don't have time to negotiate with the claims adjuster, you may hire a lawyer to fight on your behalf. If the lawyer can help resolve who was at fault and get you a higher payout, then a lawyer may be worth it. But if the claim is small, consider taking on the work yourself.

After agreeing to a settlement

Once negotiations are wrapped up, you'll need to confirm the offer in writing. The document will include the amount of the settlement and how the funds should be used.