Search:

A Step-By-Step Guide To Submitting A Car Insurance Claim

Submitting a car insurance claim can be a very stressful experience. You've probably just been in an accident, which is stressful enough, and now you are worrying about getting everything right so that your claim is approved and you can get back to your normal life. While nothing can make the stress of a claim disappear entirely, insurance companies, especially those offering cheap auto insurance, have made this a much smoother and easier process than it used to be.

Of course, the first thing to do is make sure everyone is safe, and if any medical attention is needed, that this is taken care of immediately. Then, take a few minutes to breathe deeply and put things in perspective. You are alive, the professionals are on their way, and this is a manageable. Because this is a difficult time, it will help to have a list of things to do in your wallet, purse, or glove compartment.

* Write down the make, model, and license plate of every car that stops at the scene of an accident, whether they were actually involved in the incidence or not. Those who were not in the accident may be important witnesses that you will need later.

* Get information from each driver involved in the accident, including their name, address, phone number, and the information from their insurance card. This includes the insurance company, their policy number, the dates that the policy is valid, and any other details listed on the card.

* From the witnesses, get names, addresses, and phone numbers, and find out what it is that they saw. Not every witness will have a full view of the incident, so knowing who saw what is very helpful. Jotting a few notes about each witness will come in handy later.

* Write down your own account of the accident, giving as much detail as you can, and working through the events in order, if you can. You can start with the date, time, and where the accident happened. Important details include which lane you were driving in, whether there were any unusual conditions, such as construction or heavy rain, the level of traffic, and so on. Then try to recall the events before, during, and after the accident as accurately and completely as you can.

* If you have a camera available, take as many pictures of your car and the incident scene as possible. Take pictures of damage to any vehicle, skid marks, obstacles in the road, obscured road signs-anything that might be relevant to the accident. Keep a disposable camera in your glove compartment for this purpose; if your phone has a camera, you can use that as well.

* As soon as is reasonably possible, call your insurance company. They will most likely have a long list of questions to ask you. They've done this many times, and have a very thorough and efficient process, so all you need to do is answer as accurately, thoroughly and honestly as you can.

* If there are police officers at the scene, they will also have a list of questions for you, and will fill out an incident report, either at the scene or shortly thereafter. You should get a copy of this report, and make sure a copy is sent to your insurance company.

After the accident, it is important to follow up with your insurance company. The claim process is largely automated, so there may not be much for you to do, but you should check in anyway. A once-a-week update isn't unreasonable. And, of course, if they should contact you, return their call as soon as you can. Finally, once the claim is settled, you'll want to talk to your agent about any changes it may cause to your insurance.

Accidents are always distressing, but you can relieve much of the stress if you stay calm and follow these steps. Just make sure you check off each one, and soon it will all be taken care of.