| Getting in a car accident can be a very upsetting | | | | getting witness contact information the next thing to |
| experience to say the least, and dealing with the | | | | do is to call your own car insurance company. The |
| aftermath can be equally upsetting. At least the car | | | | person you speak with will walk you through the |
| accident is over in seconds. Auto insurance claims can | | | | exact process for filing a claim. |
| take weeks to be finalized. Making it through the | | | | This is a good time to ask your car insurance |
| process will be much easier if you have an idea of | | | | representative what to say if the other person's |
| how to file an auto insurance claim. | | | | insurance company calls you. They may tell you not |
| After the accident the first thing you should do is to | | | | to say anything except to have them contact your |
| make sure no one is injured. The next thing to do is | | | | auto insurance representative. Do not deviate from |
| to call the police. Even if the accident is minor the | | | | this if it is what they advise regardless of what the |
| police should be called. They will be an impartial | | | | other person's insurance company says you have to |
| witness to the accident and make sure that all of the | | | | do. |
| paperwork is handled correctly. | | | | After this the adjuster will come to assess the |
| The next step is to exchange information. This | | | | damage to your vehicle. The insurance company will |
| means you should get, and give, all drivers license | | | | write you a check for this amount, minus your |
| information, insurance information, and the license | | | | deductible, and you can have your car repaired. |
| plate number. It is also very important to get the | | | | If there is any dispute about the costs of the repair |
| telephone number of the other driver. This is also a | | | | you should call your car insurance company and file a |
| good time to look for any witnesses to the accident. | | | | dispute. If this proves to be ineffective then call your |
| If there are witnesses ask them if they are willing to | | | | state's Division of Insurance and lodge a complaint |
| testify as to what they saw. If you are at fault, and | | | | which will be investigated. Hopefully any auto |
| you know it, then let the other party seek witness | | | | insurance claims you have to file will go through |
| corroboration. | | | | smoothly and you can disregard this advice, but if not |
| After exchanging auto insurance information and | | | | now you know what to do. |