Handling Auto Accident Claims

At the very least an automobile or truck collisionmore accurate information than you may be able to
disrupts the daily routine. If there are no seriousprovide because you may be upset and not thinking
injuries there is often vehicle damage that requiresclearly. In the end this simple transaction may prevent
the driver to take the time to file an insurance claim.you from experiencing a lengthy delay in receiving
To ensure the process is less daunting this article willyour claim.
provide a step-by-step explanation that should helpAs quickly as possible following the accident –
to make the experience a little easier.even as early as the next day – file the claim
Begin by carefully reading your auto insurance policywith your insurance company if you decide not to
when it is purchased. Familiarize yourself with thepay for the damages out of pocket. (In fact, many
terms of the policy and be sure you understandinsurance companies place a time limit on accident
what it covers and does not cover. This includesclaims and this is also important information to know
knowing how much Liability insurance you have in theahead of time.) This is when your insurance agent
case that you have caused damage to anothercomes in handy. He or she should sit down with you
vehicle or injuries to another person. You should alsoat your home or place of convenience and walk you
be cognizant of the deductable amount of yourthrough the claims process. Many insurance
Collision and Comprehensive coverage. Many statescompanies also have claims filing services available 24
now have No-Fault Insurance – which is a typehours a day to walk you through filling out the
of insurance in which both parties in an accident filepaperwork. Whether you are at fault or not,
claims regardless of who's at fault.however, the insurance company acts as your
The insurance claims process actually begins at theadvocate throughout the process.
scene of the accident. No matter how minor theThe words ‘insurance claims forms' can be
incident it is imperative to be sure there is a legalintimidating to the average person but try to relax
accident report. Police should always be summonedand understand that thousands of claims are filed
to the scene where they can make theeach year and the insurance companies have done
circumstances surrounding the accident a matter ofmuch to streamline the process. Most insurance
public record. Be sure you take a copy of thecompanies now have websites that make available to
accident report with you when the police completetheir customers downloadable forms for everything
taking the information.from auto theft to installment agreements. We
Directly after the accident do not speak to anyonesuggest that the best time to familiarize yourself with
about the incident except the police. Never openlythe content of your insurance company's website is
admit to any culpability or fault. Engage in thisat your leisure before you've been in an accident!
conversation only with the police and your insuranceMore than likely when a claim is filed the other
agent. This is relevant in the case that you could beinsurance company will want to speak directly with
at fault.you to get your account of the event. Prepare for
Again, the next step in the claims process also occursthis conversation ahead of time and realize they will
on site. Get the facts. This means you should get therecord the conversation so be precise and honest in
names, phone numbers, addresses and insuranceyour retelling. We suggest you write out what you
information from everyone who was involved in thewill say in advance and review it several times.
accident. Get the names and numbers of anyWhen your claim is approved a claims adjuster from
individuals who witnessed the accident also. Inyour insurance company will come by to look at the
addition, get the license plate numbers and vehiclecar, assess the damage and provide an estimate of
identification numbers for all of the automobiles orthe repair or replacement costs. Then you wait to
other vehicles in the collision. This is importantfind out if the other person's insurance company
because often insurance companies have only theagrees to the adjuster's recommendation. Rarely
vehicle identification number and make and model ofdoes an insurance company dispute an adjuster's
the automobile on file and not the plate information.recommendations – simply paying you the
At this point the discussion turns to the actual filingestablished amount immediately.
of the claim and the information that follows shouldOn occasion, though, the insurance company refuses
be considered before a claim is finalized. The readerto offer what you consider to be a fair settlement.
should know that when an insurance company isIn this case one of two things can happen. You could
contacted concerning an accident the conversation isgo through the dispute process offered by the
noted on your insurance record. If you are in aninsurance company in question. If you do not receive
accident – no matter who's at fault – if yousatisfactory remuneration then you may actually file a
can pay for the repairs out of pocket that is thelawsuit against the company. While the latter scenario
best choice in a worst case scenario. Although thisis not pleasant to contemplate it is beneficial to know
seems like odd advice to those who have kept theirthat the judicial system is available if you need their
premiums up-to-date, actually filing a claim may affectsupport.
the cost of your insurance long-term.Finally, drive safely – but if you are in an accident
If you choose to file the claim it is best to call thekeep the information in this article close at hand –
insurance company on their 800 line or your agenthopefully it will make the process of filing a claim
while still at the accident site. When you follow thissimpler and less aggravating.
advice it allows the police officer to give the agent