What To Do If Your Car Is Damaged
We'll be here for you whether or not your car can be driven. The filing of an insurance claim should wait until you have confirmed your safety. Remember, above all else:
- Stop in a safe area and check to see if you or anyone else in the car has been hurt. Don't move an injured person if you see them. Don't panic if someone is broken, but dial 911 if possible. Take note of your surroundings and make yourself noticeable.
- When everyone is safe, begin filing claims. If you have filed a lawsuit and need assistance, our knowledgeable representatives will be there to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
- Regardless of who was at fault, you should contact your insurance agent as soon as possible, preferably while still at the accident scene. In any case, you should report the incident to your insurer and inquire as to whether or not the incident is covered by your auto insurance policy, even if it seems minor at first.
- Start your claim off right by using a mobile app. Most insurance companies now provide mobile apps through which policyholders can file lawsuits, monitor their progress, submit supporting documents, determine their deductible, arrange for an appraisal, book a rental car, and submit claims for reimbursement of towing and broken glass. It is possible to visually recreate the events and circumstances of your car accident and send them to the insurance adjuster with the help of certain apps.
- Discover what proof is expected of you. Your insurance company will require a "proof of claim" form and, if you filled one out at the scene of the accident, a copy of the police report. Your insurance provider's website may include a track-your-claims-status widget.
- Your insurance company will need you to disclose certain information. As soon as you receive legal documents related to your loss, you must turn them over to your insurance company so that they can investigate, settle, or defend the claim. If you are sued due to an accident, your insurer will act as your legal counsel and protect you.
- Do not forget to keep a ledger of your money outlays. If you are involved in a car crash, your insurance policy may help pay for the costs you incur due to the incident. Remember that your no-fault insurance policy will typically cover your medical and hospital bills, other expenses like lost wages, and (at least) a portion of the cost of hiring a temporary housekeeper.
Making an Insurance Claim Against Someone Else
How to file a car insurance claim? But, if someone else causes an accident, you can file a claim against their liability insurance. You're filing what's known as a "third-party claim" with the at-fault driver's insurance company. Although the other party's insurance company will handle the claim, getting paid may take some time. The insurer may conduct an accident investigation to ascertain whether or not the policyholder was actually at fault.
Using Your Insurance to Fix the Problem
However, if filing insurance claims were straightforward, everyone would feel like an expert. And when an accident is someone else's fault, it's only human to want them to pay for it. But even if someone else caused your car accident, you may still need to file a claim with your own insurance company.
Get An Insurance Quote Online
Get the quickest possible quote on auto insurance with our convenient online tool. To get a price estimate, type in your zip code and hit the Get a Quote button. The next step is to answer a few questions about who you are, the car you want to insure, and who will use the vehicle.
Liability Car Insurance
Most states mandate at least the most basic form of car insurance, known as liability coverage. You'll need it if you ever plan on getting behind the wheel. Be sure you understand what the quoted policies will and will not cover before requesting a quote for liability auto insurance alone. While the minimum coverage required by law may keep you from getting in trouble, it likely won't provide enough compensation if you're involved in a major accident or suffer significant damage to your vehicle. Paying a little more now could save you a lot of money later.
Conclusion
In the event of a car accident requiring insurance claim filing, time is of the essence. For this reason, it is crucial to have a thorough understanding of the claims filing procedure to act promptly when needed. Most insurance companies have similar claims filing processes. Insurers may have slight variations from one another. As such, it is highly recommended that you visit your insurer's website to understand their claims procedure thoroughly.