Insurance Information

Seven Steps to Filing Your Car Insurance Claim


Having even a teeny-tiny car accident can be one of life's least enjoyable moments. However, accidents happen, and sooner or later, we all have the experience of meeting one of our fellow road travelers up close and personal. Using the following seven steps to filing your claim will help you get over this speed bump as smoothly as possible.

Step 1: Understand your policy

Before a loss, sit down and carefully read your insurance policy. Call your agent or company if you have any questions about what is or is not covered.

Step 2: Exchange information

If you are involved in an accident, get the other driver's name, address, phone number, insurance carrier, and insurer's phone number. Be prepared to give the same information about yourself to the other driver. You can find insurers' telephone numbers on the proof-of-insurance cards that should be carried on your person when operating a motor vehicle.

Step 3: Identify witnesses

Ask witnesses to the accident for their names and phone numbers in case their account of the accident is needed.

Step 4: File an accident report

Contact local law enforcement officers to have an accident report prepared. If law enforcement is not reachable, accident reports and detailed instructions are available at all police departments, sheriff's offices, your local Department of Motor Vehicles office, and on your local Department of Motor Vehicles' web site.

Step 5: Notify your insurer

Contact your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. An insurance adjuster will review the accident report to determine who caused the accident. If the accident was not your fault, you can have either your insurance company or the at-fault driver's insurance company handle the repair or replacement of your vehicle. If you use the other driver's company, you will not have a claim on your automobile policy and you will not have to pay a deductible.

Step 6: Do not release insurers too early

Do not relieve your insurance company of its responsibility until the damages are settled to your satisfaction. For example, have your insurance company handle the claim if the other party's insurance company questions its policyholder's negligence or offers an unacceptable settlement.

Step 7: Consider these settlement factors

. Bodily injuries: You may be entitled to a monetary settlement for injuries caused by another at fault (liable) party. It can take several days for some injuries to become apparent.

. Damages: The insurance company is responsible to pay for the reasonable cost of repairs to your vehicle. An insurance adjuster will assess the damage. Usually, insurance companies and auto body shops negotiate disagreements about what should be repaired. If you disagree with their conclusions, you have the right to obtain another appraisal at any auto body shop.

. Appraisal clause: Most auto insurance policies include an appraisal clause, which can be used to help settle disputes about physical damage claims between you and your insurance company. (The appraisal clause does not apply for claims you file with the other party's insurance company.) If you cannot reach an agreement with your company, you or your insurer can initiate the appraisal clause. Your appraiser and your insurer's appraiser then select an independent umpire to try to resolve the dispute. Check your policy or ask your agent or insurance company for more information about the appraisal clause.

And that is it. While filing a claim is certainly no fun, following these seven steps will make the process almost as easy as getting free quotes and purchasing your car insurance at http://www.carinsurance.com.

Visit http://www.carinsurance.com For Your Free Quote

Jon Register is a representative of CarInsurance.com. You can visit CarInsurance.com at http://www.carinsurance.com or contact them at 1-877-327-8728.

CarInsurance.com's online insurance marketplace gives an opportunity to consumers and to insurance companies. We offer the ability to shop for car insurance online.

Consumers can receive quotes from many insurance companies, in some states you are able to purchase your insurance instantly, online. You don't have to drive your car to buy car insurance. Buy online...anytime!


MORE RESOURCES:

Account exceeds FDIC insurance limits? Try using CDARS
Newsday, NY - 14 hours ago
Except for bank deposits that don't exceed FDIC insurance limits, that is. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. insures individual depositors for up to ...
The Week Ahead: July 7-11 Washington Post
all 2 news articles


CBS News

McCain’s Fuzzy-Math Health Care Plan
CBS News, NY - Jul 5, 2008
As you may recall, the McCain has indicated he wishes to change the tax treatment of health insurance. This sounds like an archaic, technical tweak but, ...


Health care system in need of triage
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 17 hours ago
For many years I was unable to receive health insurance after my COBRA plan expired from a state university job, and now my current insurance barely pays ...
When health insurance turns out not to be insurance at all The Keene Sentinel (subscription)
Maybe I’ll get better on my own Worcester Telegram
all 9 news articles


Auto Insurance Effected By "Hands Free" Law
KCBS, CA - 1 hour ago
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – California auto insurance rates may benefit from the newly introduce “Hands-Free” driving law. California State Insurance ...


New York Times

Allstate: Brownsville has the safest drivers
Brownsville Herald, TX United States - 16 hours ago
According to Mellander, more than 12 percent of the city's population owns Allstate insurance. Three other cities on the Texas-Mexico border - Laredo, ...
Anchorage drivers crashing more often, insurer says Anchorage Daily News (subscription)
Chattanooga area road safety rank in good hands Chattanooga Times Free Press
Come to DC and wreck your car Seattle Post Intelligencer
East Valley Tribune - Arizona Daily Star
all 293 news articles


The Associated Press

McCain's health plan: A threat to employer plans?
The Associated Press - 5 hours ago
John McCain's health plan: How many employers would drop insurance coverage for their workers because of his tax policies? ...


East African Re gets ‘B’ rating from US rating firm
East African, Kenya - 6 hours ago
By A CORRESPONDENT The American insurance rating firm, AM Best has awarded the East Africa Reinsurance Company a financial strength rating of “B” and the ...
American Israeli Paper Mills Ltd. Intention for Public Placement ... FOXBusiness
all 11 news articles


Corporates pruning health insurance cover for staff
Hindu Business Line, India - 2 hours ago
Mumbai, July 6 Many corporates, particularly top IT companies and BPOs, are pruning the health insurance coverage for their staff, following sharp increase ...


A major step for insurance access
Greenwich Time, CT - 16 hours ago
Phones were ringing off the hook in Hartford this week as the governor's new affordable health insurance program debuted. Thousands of residents wanted to ...
Not All Happy With Rell's Health Plan TheDay
Charter Oak Health Plan call center receives over 3000 calls in ... Stamford Plus Magazine
Charter Oak plan an experiment TheDay
all 7 news articles


Hundreds of jobs to go as insurance giant moves to restore confidence
The Age, Australia - 7 hours ago
HUNDREDS of jobs will go in a shake-up of Insurance Australia Group that new chief executive Mike Wilkins will unveil this week as part of his efforts to ...
IAG may halt Asian expansion The Australian
Jobs cuts at IAG Business Spectator
IAG shake-up will wipe 500 jobs Sydney Morning Herald
all 6 news articles

Insurance - Google News

home | site map
© 2006