How to Handle Car Insurance Claims

You were just in an automobile accident and have damage to your vehicle. So does the other party involved. You call the police. They determine that it wasn't your fault. What do you need to do? Well, first you need to call your insurance company to put in the claim. The insurance company will ask many questions. At the end of the conversation they will give you a claim number. In dealing with a automobile claim you may also want to get the police report yourself from the police precinct. This is to move the claim a little faster. Once you have the report fax or email the report to the claim agent that is assigned to your claim. you will deal with this agent many times. The next step is to get the claims adjustor to five you an estimate for the cost of the damage to your vehicle. If you are putting the claim through your insurance company, you will only have to pay your deductible and your insurance company will get back the money for the claim through the other drivers insurance company. And when they get paid they will reimburse you your deductible. Now, on the other hand, if you go through the other drivers insurance, all you need to do is go to there claims adjustor and get the estimate. They will refer you where to take your vehicle to be repaired with no money out of your pocket. If you would rather get an estimate on your own or use your own body shop they will mail you a check for the amount they estimated the damages for. Also, with an insurance claim you can go to the doctor if you were injured. When filling out the papers at the doctors office you will need the claim number and they will pay the bill through the claim. This is called No Fault Insurance. You also need that claim number to rent a car while your car is being repaired. The claim covers the rental for the number of days that your car is being repaired.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Drivers License
• Insurance Card
• Accident Report
• Claim Number
• Telephone
• Notepad
• Pen

1. Call your insurance company.

2. If you are going to put the claim through the other drivers insurance call their insurance company as well.

3. Get the damages estimated.

4. Follow up on calls to insurance company.

5. Keep notes and claim number.