With all the driving you do today, a car accident (hopefully won't) but could, happen to you, at one point or another in your life. Due to this fact, you need to understand your car insurance coverage and the process of filing claims thoroughly.
Most of the car accidents that happen luckily do not include bodily injury. The claims are a bit more involved if someone is injured than when just the vehicles are damaged. The process for filing claims is pretty standard between the insurance companies. Go by the guide offered below to file your claims.
1. Call the police or 911 to report the accident. All insurance companies require a police report be made to process the claims. Also in most areas it is the law for you to have an accident report on file.
2. When the accident first happens you need to get the name, address, and phone number of the other driver who was involved. You also need to get all their insurance information and their driver's license number. Give them the same information on you.
3. If you can, call your insurance company from the accident site. In the event you can't call from the scene, then call as soon as you get home.
4. Write down your version of what happened so that you tell all the investigators from both insurance companies the exact same scenario. This is crucial to your claim especially when trying to deal with the other person's insurance company.
5. You will need to also inform the other person's insurance company that you are filing a claim. Most of the time you can make a claim to your insurance company, and they will pay you and then go after the other person's insurance company, and collect for what they paid you. But this can result in your rates going up, so if you weren't at fault for the accident call the other person's insurance company and file a claim first. Then if things don't go right you can still make a claim on your insurance.
6. You will receive phone calls from the insurance company you made the claim to. They will ask for you account of what happened during the accident. Have your notes handy so you can talk about it accurately.
7. You will need to get an estimate on the damage to your car. Some insurance companies tell you to go get 3 estimates, and others will send an adjuster out to make an estimate. Be careful not to let the insurance company off the hook if they are not going to offer you enough to pay for the damages. Stand your ground and get the settlement you deserve.
8. Do not settle totally with the insurance company until your car is totally repaired. You don't want any surprises to occur later.
Now this is just a guide to give you some kind of idea what the process of making claims are. Of course if someone is hurt in the accident the claim becomes a bit more in depth and involved to settle. Check your insurance company for their procedures too, in case they vary a bit from the guide here.
About the Author:
Rex Bush is founder of Bush Law Firm near Salt Lake City, Utah where he handles personal injury cases in Utah and throughout the United States and Canada. For more information on personal injury issues visit his website: Salt Lake City Utah Personal Injury Attorney.