Even the safest drivers can be involved in a car accident. You need to do some important things at the scene of the accident, for example, B. Make sure everyone is okay, call the police, and share information with the other drivers involved.
When it’s time to file an auto insurance claim after an accident, it’s also helpful to know what information you need to provide and to understand how your insurance coverage works. Knowing what to expect can help make the claims process smoother and help ensure that funds to repair your vehicle are received on time. You can also ask your insurer if you have to report a claim within a certain time.
Each insurance company treats its claims process differently, but most of the steps are similar. Here is an idea of what to expect during the insured event process.
1. Give Your Insurer Information About The Accident
If you make a claim with your insurer, the Insurance Information Institute (III) will ask you to provide information and documents related to the accident. According to III, some information you may wish to collect is as follows:
Names, contact details, insurance, and vehicle information for everyone involved in the accident.
- Location, time, and weather conditions.
- Vehicle damage photos
- Names and identification numbers of the officials who responded to the incident.
- A copy of the accident report.
2. Ask Questions About Your Insurance Coverage
Another important part of the claims process is understanding your auto insurance policy and how to cover it. Here are some things you should know or ask when submitting an auto insurance claim:
YOUR DEDUCTIBLE
When you purchased car insurance, you selected deductibles for certain types of coverage, e.g. B. for collisions or extended coverage. Make sure you know your deductible – the amount you have to pay out of pocket to repair your vehicle before insurance coverage takes effect.
Suppose you have a $500 deductible for collision coverage and the damage to your vehicle is $1,500. Your deductible will be deducted from your insured claim and your insurance company will pay $1,000 for repairs.
COVERAGE OF TRANSPORT COSTS.
If your auto insurance includes coverage for transportation costs (sometimes called reimbursement of rental costs), this can help you pay for a rental car or other transportation while your car is being repaired. Ask your insurer for reimbursement details, especially before driving a rental car from the parking lot. You must also confirm your policy coverage limits (for example, your insurer can provide you with up to $ 30 per day for a rental car for a certain period).
How Much Time Do You Have To Make A Complaint?
It is a good idea to ask your insurer how long it may take to file a claim, says III. This is due to the fact that you may not be eligible for money if you do not submit the claim and required documents within the time limit provided to your insurer, for example, to help you repair the vehicle or pay medical expenses. You should also be aware that the timelines for submitting a claim may vary depending on the type of claim you are submitting. For example, the deadline for submitting claims for damage to vehicles may differ from the deadline for submitting claims for bodily injury. Deadlines for submitting a claim may vary depending on the insurer and are determined by applicable state laws, says FindLaw of Thomson Reuter.
3. ESTIMATE YOURSELF AND WORK WITH THE INSURANCE REGULATOR
Typically, your insurance company will send an insurance provider to check your car, determine what was damaged during the accident, and investigate the losses. This way, the adjuster can determine who was responsible for the accident. They will also provide an initial estimate of the cost of repairs (parts and labor), explains III.
Some insurance companies may need an estimate of the cost of repairs. The repair shop where you usually go will check for damage and send a report to the insurance company.