Steps For Filing An Insurance Claim For Your Auto

You may have had auto insurance for quite awhile. But that doesn't mean you know what to do when it's time to file a claim. However, filing an insurance claim isn't that hard. Here are some steps to make it easier.

First of all, get acquainted with the provisions of your insurance policy - now, not after a need arises. Each company, and possibly each policy with a company, can have its own rules for submitting a claim. To get paid quickly, follow the rules!

For example, almost every insurance company will require at least two quotes on the estimated price for repairs. Occasionally a company asks for three. It may be that the company also tells you where to get your estimates, or at least where to get one of them. Of course, they tend to accept the lowest bid.

Occasionally a step must be completed before the estimate-getting step. The insurer may want their own claim adjuster, a person who's seen a lot of banged up vehicles, to look at yours. The adjuster will see your vehicle at the tow site, if it's stuck there. However, if you're able to drive it, the company will probably have you meet the adjuster in the parking lot of their office building for a look see.

When the cost of repairs is more than the value of the vehicle or more than your insurance policy covers, submitting a car insurance claim may result is what is called a total loss. Some call this being "totaled" and in any case, you will only be reimbursed the current value of your car unless you have special replacement value car insurance.

If you can, part of filing or submitting a car insurance claim should begin right after the accident. You should take pictures of the site and of the vehicles involved. Of course, you should get the insurance information and contact information of the other vehicle involved and you need to file a police report where this is required.

Also right away, draw out a little map of where the accident happened. Name the streets and show where the vehicles, people, buildings-whatever was involved-are located. Having a notepad and workable pen or pencil in the car is useful for taking care of this detail while your mind is fresh. Hopefully, you have a digital camera with you or can run into a nearby convenience market for a disposable camera and shoot the accident site and well as all the damages. (Does your mobile phone have a photo option?)

What if you're at fault? Whether you are or not, don't go off blathering about it. When you must refer to the accident, try to state facts without embellishing them with statements of fault. It's also usually a better idea to keep your reports and opinions between you and your insurance company. No need talking freely with the other party or the other party's insurer.

When you know what the steps are: read your policy, follow the rules, etc., reporting that claim to your insurer is not so scary. Get it done right away. And the best way to do that is to pull out that policy, or the glove box card, and read the guidelines right now. Then you'll be ready to protect yourself and do right by everyone else when, and if, you ever do need to make a claim against your insurance.

About the Author

To find out exactly how I got car insurance, visit my website about auto insurance

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