The Legal Implications of Notarising your Automobile Proof of Loss

A proof of loss form is the most important document for insured vehicles that may be involved in an accident. To ensure that the insurance company pays out the damages or the replacement for the vehicle, an automobile proof of loss will be the central document upon which the case will rely. As such, notarising it will undoubtedly benefit and strengthen your case. Let’s look at the particulars of a proof of loss, what it is used for, and how notarising an automobile proof of loss form can help you secure your dues against the unfortunate incident.

What is an automobile proof of loss?

When a vehicle is involved in an accident, the insurance company requires a form that details the claims of the claimant or the vehicle owner. Any damages the vehicle might have sustained, and their repair cost will be included in the automobile proof of loss document, as well as the details of the damage that might have totaled the car. In the latter case, the document will have to prove that the vehicle needs to be written off as its sustained operation, even after repairs, will not return it to a satisfactory condition of roadworthiness. 

Completing an automobile proof of loss document

The document itself is very comprehensive and requires listing all aspects of both particulars: the accident and the vehicle. Paramount to the document is the condition of the car, but the other aspects will be discussed below as well, 

• Make, model: The automobile proof of loss document will first ask you to specify the make and model of your vehicle, which should accurately correspond with the title and the insurance documents themselves. 
• Registration number: The number issued at the time of purchase and the registration number, alongside the VIN (vehicle identification number), will also be needed on the document and will be verified. 
• Insurance policy number: The document will also require the insurance policy number to make sure that the car is insured legally and isn’t without mandatory insurance. 
• Date and time: You will need to specify the exact date and the time of the accident. This is important since if it is an accident involving multiple vehicles, other owners will have to do the same, and oftentimes, this information is collated among insurance companies. 
• Location: The location must also be specified, including where the accident occurred. While the document may not ask for it, the individual handling your case might also enquire about other particulars of the time of the accident, for instance, speed, destination, and the police report filed (if any). 
• The extent of damages: This is the most important aspect of the automobile proof of loss document, and this will detail every sustained hit on the car, including both cosmetic damage and sub-surface damage (if any). This is done because while cosmetic damage can usually be repaired, the sub-surface damage can render the car totaled, or if the total expenditure of the repair exceeds the actual value of the car, in which case, it will be written off and scrapped.

Other documents required with proof of loss form

While the automobile proof of loss form is complete, other supporting and relevant paperwork is imperative to ensure a proper payout. These include, but are not limited to,

• Proof of damage: This is the most important of all, and usually, proof of damage is required in the form of untampered photographs. These need to display the damage clearly as described in the form itself, and they should also cover each aspect of the vehicle (including any damage that the chassis might have sustained, if possible). This not only strengthens your case but provides irrefutable evidence as to the particulars of the accident. 
• Police reports: In accidents where police get involved, they usually file a report based on the accident, which also details the site, the vehicle conditions, and the people involved. This police report can further corroborate your recount of the events and is considered admissible in such cases. 
• Repair estimates: Repair estimates include a ballpark estimate of how much it will cost to get the car roadworthy again. This will also determine whether or not the car will be totaled and written off.

Notarising an automobile proof of loss form

Notarisation is giving your official documents an extra seal of approval and verification from a notary public, which a government-sanctioned entity is empowered to notarise documents. Notarisation is a process that is required for all public sector paperwork and, in many cases, international travel and documents related to court proceedings and legal matters. 

In the case of an auto insurance claim, a notarized Proof of Loss form is more than just paperwork—it is a sworn statement. Because insurance fraud is a serious concern, insurers require this document to be sworn under oath to confirm the legitimacy of your claim. Properly notarizing this form helps expedite your settlement, as it formally provides the insurer with the evidence they need to process your payment without unnecessary delay.

The Notary Guy: bonafide notarization professionals

Notarization can be a lengthy and cumbersome process, which can take a toll on any person waiting to get the process over with. In the case of automobile proof of loss, an accident can be a very delicate moment, which is why The Notary Guy simplifies the notarization process and makes it feel less like a burden and more like a simple process of verifying your documents. Besides automobile proof of loss documents, The Notary Guy also provides excellent notarization services for, 

• Certified true copies
• RIN letters
• Visa invitation letters
• Child travel consent letters
• Statutory declarations
• Affidavits 
• Bank forms requiring declarations
• Name change applications
• Common law declarations

And many more. Check out The Notary Guy for more details on our services and how our online notarization process can save you precious time. 

As a leading notary public in GTA Area:  Mississauga (two locations- near Square one and in Erin Mills Town Centre) , Brampton, Stoney Creek, Hamilton, Scarborough, and Etobicoke. The Notary Guy consists of a team of professionals dedicated to providing quick, affordable, and reliable notary services. Our experienced notaries will handle your documentation with the utmost care and efficiency, ensuring that your process is seamless and secure. Start your notarization process with us today.