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Seven Steps to Filing Your Car Insurance Claim
Having even a teeny-tiny car accident can be one of life's least enjoyable moments.
However, accidents happen, and sooner or later, we all have the experience of meeting
one of our fellow road travelers up close and personal. Using the following seven steps to
filing your claim will help you get over this speed bump as smoothly as possible.
Step 1: Understand your policy
Before a loss, sit down and carefully read your insurance policy. Call your agent or
company if you have any questions about what is or is not covered.
Step 2: Exchange information
If you are involved in an accident, get the other driver's name, address, phone number,
insurance carrier, and insurer's phone number. Be prepared to give the same information
about yourself to the other driver. You can find insurers' telephone numbers on the
proof-of-insurance cards that should be carried on your person
when operating a motor vehicle.
Step 3: Identify witnesses
Ask witnesses to the accident for their names and phone numbers in case their
account of the accident is needed.
Step 4: File an accident report
Contact local law enforcement officers to have an accident report prepared.
If law enforcement is not reachable, accident reports and detailed instructions are
available at all police departments, sheriff's offices, your local Department of Motor
Vehicles office, and on your local Department of Motor Vehicles' web site.
Step 5: Notify your insurer
Contact your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible.
An insurance adjuster will review the accident report to determine who caused the accident.
If the accident was not your fault, you can have either your insurance company or the at-fault
driver's insurance company handle the repair or replacement of your vehicle. If you use the
other driver's company, you will not have a claim on your automobile policy and you will not
have to pay a deductible.
Step 6: Do not release insurers too early
Do not relieve your insurance company of its responsibility until the damages are settled to
your satisfaction. For example, have your insurance company handle the claim if the other
party's insurance company questions its policyholder's negligence or offers an
unacceptable settlement.
Step 7: Consider these settlement factors
Bodily injuries: You may be entitled to a monetary settlement for injuries caused by another
at fault (liable) party. It can take several days for some injuries to become apparent.
Damages: The insurance company is responsible to pay for the reasonable cost of repairs to
your vehicle. An insurance adjuster will assess the damage. Usually, insurance companies
and auto body shops negotiate disagreements about what should be repaired. If you disagree
with their conclusions, you have the right to obtain another appraisal at any auto body shop.
Appraisal clause: Most auto insurance policies include an appraisal clause, which can be
used to help settle disputes about physical damage claims between you and your insurance
company. (The appraisal clause does not apply for claims you file with the other party's
insurance company.) If you cannot reach an agreement with your company, you or your
insurer can initiate the appraisal clause. Your appraiser and your insurer's appraiser then
select an independent umpire to try to resolve the dispute.
Check your policy or ask your agent or insurance company for more information about the appraisal clause.
And that is it. While filing a claim is certainly no fun, following these seven steps will make
the process almost as easy as getting free quotes and purchasing your car insurance
at http://www.carinsurance.com.
About the author:
Jon Register is a representative of CarInsurance.com. You can
visit CarInsurance.com at http://www.carinsurance.com or contact
them at 1-877-327-8728.
CarInsurance.com's online insurance marketplace gives an
opportunity to consumers and to insurance companies. We offer the
ability to shop for car insurance online.
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Seven Steps to Filing Your Car Insurance Claim
Having even a teeny-tiny car accident can be one of life's least enjoyable moments. However, accidents happen, and sooner or later, we all have the experience of meeting one of our fellow road travelers up close and personal. Using the following seven steps to filing your claim will help you get over this speed bump as smoothly as possible.
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