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Step 1
Keep a camera in your vehicle at all times. A small disposable camera in your glove box will do the trick.
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Step 2
Immediately after an accident, call the police. In some areas, police will not respond to an accident scene where no injuries are claimed. However, a police report can be very valuable in the insurance claim process, (especially in determining fault) so if you indicate there is vehicle damage and minor injuries, an officer will likely be dispatched.
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Step 3
Take photos of the vehicle damages, and of the scene. Sometimes photographs will show signs or markings on the road that help determine fault.
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Step 4
Gather the other driver's information, including driver's license number, full name, address, insurance company name, policy number, the color, make and model of the vehicle, and the vehicle's license plate number. When in doubt, gather more info rather than less, and don't assume it will all be available on the police report.
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Step 5
Be honest with the police about the exact circumstances of the accident. The more conflicting the report information, the harder it may be to determine fault and settle a claim, which means you spend more time waiting. If you feel even minor injuries, state that to the police. Declaring you are injured does not mean you have to be transported by ambulance to the hospital. However, if the police report states that you are not injured and you later seek treatment for injuries, your claim MAY be devalued. Get a report number from the police.
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Step 6
As soon as you are done at the scene and are in a safe location to do so, call your insurance company to report the accident. This is very important - even for accidents where you think there was no damage or injury. Most insurance policies have clauses that allow an insurance company to deny a claim for late reporting. Don't risk it - always report. If it seems like it is nothing (no damages and no injury), nothing will become of it. But later, if something does comes up (the other party claims damages or injuries) you will be in a better position if you reported it on time.
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Step 7
If you decide you want to seek an attorney (usually in cases involving major damages and any degree of injury), please note that attorneys prefer to speak with you BEFORE you give recorded statements to either your own or other insurance companies. If you do not want to hire an attorney, it is helpful if you give statements to the insurance companies. You can request they not be recorded if you feel uncomfortable. Again, give all the truthful facts about the accident, answering the questions as best you can.
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Step 8
Be reasonable in your expectations about the claim's outcome. The insurance company's job is to get you back to the condition you were in before the accident occurred. This includes your vehicle and your person. A good insurance adjuster needs to make appropriate payments on a claim, which means not too low or too high. Realize that by doing this, they are helping keep premiums down. Don't consider making an auto insurance claim the equivalent to winning the lottery - they are simply there to make you whole, not to give you extra benefit.
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Step 9
If you plan to claim lost wages or personal suffering, you need to document these claims. Lost wages are usually a result of physical injury and a doctor's note instructing you to be off work will most likely be needed, as well as documentation of your pay.
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Step 10
Try to help the insurance adjusters by responding to their requests. Their ability to work quickly largely depends upon your cooperation. Do not call them excessively to determine how they are doing on your claim - this takes away from time they could be spending actually progressing on your claim. Try to return their calls promptly and provide anything they need to move forward.
Comments
sadfox said
on 2/7/2009 Good, easy to follow, step by step advice.