The last thing any motorist wants to do is get involved in an accident. Nevertheless, that`s exactly what happens to hundreds of motorists on any given day. It`s bad enough dealing with the damage done to your car and those of other involved motorists without having to deal with the hassle and frustration that comes from filing an auto insurance claim. To cut down your frustration and ease what`s already a stressful part of the insurance process, here are some helpful tips that will insure your coverage claim goes smoothly.
Contact your insurer after contacting the police. You`ll want to get in touch with your insurance provider as soon as possible. The quicker you get into contact with your provider, the faster you will be able to start the claims process. You can contact your insurer via the toll-free phone number found on your insurance card. Your representative will guide you through the claims process and gather detailed information about the accident and the parties involved.
Some insurance companies also give you the option of filing your claim online, usually through the insurance company`s own website. The online process is normally straightforward and there are plenty of helpful options available if you need a little guidance throughout the process.
Gather plenty of detailed information. What your provider asks for will most likely vary among insurers. Nevertheless, you`ll need to have the following information on hand before you file your claim:
- Policy number (located on your auto insurance card)
- Date and location of the accident
- A description of how the accident occurred
- Information of the other parties involved, including name, address, license plate and insurance information
- Name of the police department, if applicable
- Police report number, if applicable
Take plenty of pictures. Although the claims adjuster will take photos of the damage incurred during the accident, it pays to take pictures of your own, at least for your own records. You never know when you`ll need those pictures during the claims process. If the police have to move the involved vehicles out of the way to restore traffic flow, you`ll need to take as many pictures of the cars as possible from multiple angles before they are moved.
Hold on to your records. You never know when you might need to check your records if something needs to be corrected or if your insurance adjuster simply needs more information. You may also need to share your records with an attorney, if necessary.
Do your homework. Understand how much your car is really worth and if possible, how much it would cost to have it repaired. You can use resources like the Kelley Blue Book to accomplish this. If your insurance provider offers less than fair price for your vehicle, ask them to adjust your claim and provide your own research.
Stick with a shop you trust. Some insurance companies will insist you take your vehicle to an approved body shop, usually due to an existing agreement or because of cheaper parts and labor. If you have the opportunity to pick your repair shop, stick to one that you absolutely trust. This way, you`ll rest easy knowing that your car is being repaired with high quality parts.
These tips can help to make the insurance claims process smooth sailing, which is a bonus when dealing with something as stressful as a claim. Don`t forget to stop by Torque Cars to find out more helpful tips on auto insurance and other car-related matters.
