Look beyond the repair payment.
Three parts of a commercial vehicle loss that deserve their own records.
The vehicle and the business are connected.
A repair payment addresses a particular part of the incident. It may not explain the interruption to your operation or every expense your business recorded.
Before assuming the file is complete, organize the categories you believe remain unresolved. Any signed release or settlement must also be reviewed.
Separate the categories.
Keep downtime records together, valuation materials together, and expense receipts together. This makes it easier to explain what each amount represents and avoid duplication.
- Operating interruption: rates, utilization, repair dates, and associated costs
- Vehicle value: condition information, repair history, and existing appraisal materials
- Associated expenses: itemized invoices, receipts, and payment records
Be clear about prior payments.
Document who paid each amount and when. Include reduced offers and disputed line items, even if you disagree with them. A reviewer needs the whole record, not only the unanswered demands.
Discuss next steps with Bill before assuming that any particular category can be recovered.
General preparation information, not legal advice. Bill Cook is a consultant, not an attorney.
