The car insurance claim process explained
Uh oh. A terrible thing has happened – you’ve been in a car accident, and now, on top of the trauma and stress of it all, you need to make an insurance claim. The car insurance claim process can be a bit tricky to understand, but with this guide, you will find yourself back on the road again before you know it.
First up, if you don't have auto insurance, get it immediately. It's not only incredibly useful, but also the law. Just head here and get a quote. Then come back and continue with these tips.
Exchange information
If your accident involves another person, be sure to get their contact information straight away. Verify that the information is correct by calling the number given. In addition, get a copy of their ID and take photos of the accident site.
If your accident doesn’t involve another person or vehicle, determine who owns (or is responsible for) the property that caused your damage. If you’ve hit a streetlight, contact the city or the electric company. If you’ve hit a building, get the property manager or owner’s information. Just as with accidents involving two vehicles, take lots of photos of the scene.
In all situations, document the date and time of the accident, as well as the injuries sustained by all occupants of the vehicle(s). Since this information is required by your insurance broker, getting it from the start will help the car insurance claim process run smoother.
Call your broker
After you’ve collected yourself and gotten to safety, contact your insurance broker. Your broker will ask for the above information and will tell you if they need anything else. Once you’ve collected the additional documents and information, your broker will refer your case to a claims adjuster.
An insurance claims adjuster will determine the how much money you will receive from the car insurance claim process. They will discuss the accident with you, review the information you've provided and ask you to sign sworn statements regarding your synopsis of events.
After the claims adjuster
Once you’ve finished speaking with the claims adjuster, they will assess the situation, determine fault (if applicable) and authorize the insurance company to reimburse your expenses, based on a written repair estimate. When it comes time to repair your vehicle, your insurance company might direct you to its authorized repair shop.
In a situation where the accident was partially your fault, the insurance payment might reflect this fact. For example, if you incur $10,000 worth of damage to your vehicle and are deemed to be 25% responsible for the accident, you would also be 25% responsible for the damage, leaving you with 75% of the payout, or $7,500.
Regardless of fault, accident type or amount of damage, you will still be responsible for paying your insurance deductible at the end of the car insurance claim process.
Getting into a car accident is stressful, but it doesn’t need to be – at least from a financial point of view. Insurance brokers and companies deal with car accidents every day and have made the car insurance claim process as user-friendly as possible. As long as you collect the required information (ID, photos, etc.) and are honest with your broker and insurance claims adjuster, you’ll have no problem when it comes time to collect for vehicular repairs or medical expenses.