If you’ve ever been in an accident you know that it can be a traumatizing experience. Knowing what to do can really come in handy. Don’t panic. Try to relax and stay calm. The first step is to make sure everyone involved is ok. After you’ve done that and called the police, you’ll need to file a claim with your insurance company. Here are some things you should know if you ever need to file a claim:

* You are required by your policy to report any accidents to your company; even if it is not your fault. Chances are they will find out anyway; whether it is from the adverse party’s company or from your motor vehicle record. You may also be required, depending on your state, to report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

*Before reporting your claim, try to have as much information at the ready. Your insurance company will need to know who was involved, where it happened, how it occurred and any other pertinent information. Also make sure to have your vehicle information at hand and any information from the police department or witnesses.

*Make sure to know how much time you have to submit a claim. Some companies have different statutes of limitations, so be sure to know the timeframe in which you can file a claim.

*Cooperate with your insurance company in their investigation. Give a recorded statement with as much detailed information as possible. Be sure to disclose any injuries that may have resulted from the accident.

Once the claim is file and liability has been determined, the at fault party’s company will take care of your damages. If the other driver was at fault, you’ll have the option of whether to let their company repair the vehicle or have yours do it and get reimbursed. Whichever way you go, remember that you can choose the shop of your choice. You are not required to go to the insurance company’s recommended body shop; although they might lead you to believe that. Whatever shop you choose, make sure you get a written guarantee for the repair work.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein.  No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 18th, 2008 at 2:09 pm and is filed under Helpful Tips, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.