How to File Your First Car Insurance Claim
Imagine this: you’re sitting at a traffic light and listening to the radio. You’re waiting at the intersection when all of a sudden, you hear a crunch and your car jerks forward.
You’ve just had your first fender bender and when you get out of the car to see what happened the other driver is apologizing profusely. Now your car has been damaged, you have a headache and you have to call your insurance company to figure out how much all of this is going to cost.
We can make your first insurance claim a little bit easier. Here’s a step by step on how to handle your first car insurance claim:
Be an Investigative Reporter
Documenting everything is really important when you’ve been involved in a car crash. After you’ve spoken to the other driver and exchanged insurance information, call the police to report the accident and take note of all the details.
Take pictures of the damages to your vehicle as well as the other vehicle. If you 're hurt take photos of your injuries. It's also a good idea to take photos of the other driver, their license plat and insurance information as well as where the collision took place, the weather (if applicable) and the time of day. If there are any witnesses you should also get their contact information. Do this even if you’re at fault, it’s important to protect yourself.
Report Everything to the Police
Once you've exchanged information with the other driver and taken your pictures, it's time to make a report to the police. Any collision resulting in injuries (no matter how minor), damages over a certain dollar amount or where a criminal offence has taken place (i.e. a hit and run or drunk driving) require a police report.
Regardless of how much damage was done, I advise you always make a police report so you have a formal record of what happened. If you can drive your car safely, your first stop needs to be a police station to complete all the paperwork.
Make sure you save any paperwork the police give you, mechanics may refuse to work on your car until you give them proof that a police statement has been filed.
Talk to your Insurance Company
You don’t want to wait on this because it can get complicated if things are left too long. Don’t be afraid to call your insurance company because contrary to popular belief, they are there to help you. Even if the accident is your fault, describe everything clearly and thoroughly so they know how to process your claim - and always be honest!
Lying about your accident may cause your premiums to go up, your coverage could be cancelled or in extreme circumstances, you are criminally charged for fraud.
You and Your Car’s Health
If you have been injured in a collision, even if it’s minor, you may be eligible to receive benefits. Your insurer will provide the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule and claim forms so you can attend physiotherapy or chiropractor appointments to help you recover.
When you speak to your insurance company about getting your car repaired, they may suggest a preferred garage to get your work done. Choosing one of their garages means you won’t have to fight to get the work approved or that you’ll get stuck with a bill because your insurer will only pay so much. I highly suggest it!
So there are the four steps to surviving your first auto insurance claim. Be safe out there!