How to File Claims With Auto Insurance After an Accident
- 1). Check to ensure that no one was injured in the accident. If anybody requires medical attention, the first thing you must do is call 911.
- 2). Exchange information with everyone involved in the accident. If another person is involved, be sure to get that driver's name, address, birth date, his driver's license number and phone number. Also, be sure to write down the name of his insurance company, the year, make and model of his car, and its license plate number and VIN number. If there are any witnesses, record their statements and contact information.
- 3). Take a photograph of the accident scene and of the damage done to the vehicles involved. If you don't have a camera, draw a quick sketch of the accident scene, illustrating how the accident happened and the locations of the vehicles after the accident.
- 4). Call your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident. You may even call an insurance representative at the accident scene. The phone number for the insurance company should appear on your insurance papers. Be sure to contact the company within 12 hours of the accident (See Ref. 2). Otherwise, you may not be compensated.
- 5). Wait for the insurance company to contact you. This will happen within 24 hours of your accident. Provide a truthful account of the accident.
- 6). Complete the claim by filling out the paperwork. The paperwork will be sent to you in the mail or delivered by the claims adjuster, or you might be asked to come into the insurance company's office to fill out the proper forms. The exact forms and how they are structured will vary from company to company.
- 7). Wait for the adjuster to make an estimate on your damaged vehicle. After the estimate, you might be given a check or be asked to take the vehicle to a repair shop chosen by the insurance company. If you believe the estimate is low, you can file a dispute with the insurance company in the hope of getting a revised estimate.