No one wants to be in an accident even if one is insured but the reality is that accidents do happen and claims do get filed every day. Hereunder are the five things you need to know in order to file a claim against your car insurance policy:
- FIR: File a Police Report—Irrespective of the situation first thing to do is to file a police report of the accident. Even if you decide not to involve the auto insurance companies at all. You see this report will come in handy if you are later sued by a driver. All you need to do is take your mobile and call the police. In case the other driver doesn’t want to wait, note his information and plate number. Give that information to the police officer. Note about the injuries or fatalities (if any), it is a crime to leave the scene of an accident without first filing a report.
- Choose to File a Claim or not – It is a fact that your auto insurance rates go up if you file a claim. In case you just have a scratch or maybe a small dent, it should be cheaper and easier to just take the car to a body shop and let get it fixed. You will have to pay out of pocket, but it could be unfeasible to get a low estimate from the cheap auto insurance company and then end up paying more for your general auto insurance.
- Keep your paperwork in order - Ask the other driver for their driver’s license number and note the plate number and state of issue and see their registration. Don’t forget to ask for the policy number of their car insurance policy. Not everything like the name, address and (if possible) phone number of the other driver’s policy as well. This may become necessary, especially if the other driver challenges the claim and says you were at fault. You may need to provide this information to your insurance company so they can fight it out. And ofcourse you will also need the police report.
- Get an Estimate – General auto insurance policy requires that you get an official estimate at their service centre. You can get your own, but this may not be accepted by the insurance company. If the insurance company’s estimate is very low then, having your own estimate can help you to fight them for a higher payment. You should not just accept their word for it if it is not correct.
- Note All Communications. Until you get the compensation covering your damages, there are lots of things that can go wrong. So note down who you spoke to at your general auto insurance company and what was said with the date and time. If you speak to the other driver’s insurance company, note that too. Detailed notes can be used in court as legal documents if needed.
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