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While you certainly hope you never have to file a car insurance claim, due to being involved in a car collision or experiencing damage or theft of your vehicle, it’s still important to understand the process. That way, if you do need to file a claim one day, you are cool, calm and collected and can make the process less stressful.
Let’s walk through the steps together.
Step 1: Survey the Scene
If you were involved in an accident, first make sure you are not injured before you get out of your car. If you are, sit still. Call 911 if you are able.
If you are not hurt, get out and walk around your car to note any damage. Then assess the damage of the other vehicle or vehicles involved. Don’t throw blame. Whether you think the accident was someone else’s fault or your own, your car insurance company will be the one to decide.
There is some debate about whether calling the police to file a formal report is necessary. We say better safe than sorry. If you need to prove that the other person was at fault, a formal report by a law enforcement officer may help your case with the insurance company.
If your car is in the road and is drivable, move it to a safer location on the side of the road or in a parking lot nearby.
If you happen to have a camera or camera phone, take photos of the damages of both your car and the other car. If you’re tech savvy, you can even start to file your claim using your car insurance’s phone app directly from your cell phone.
Step 2: Get the Other Driver’s Insurance Info
This is key. If the other driver doesn’t have insurance, get his name, address and phone number off of his driver’s license. If there is a policeman present, he can help with this process.
You will also need to give the other driver your insurance information. You should have this document stored in the glove box of your car. Both of you will need:
- Car insurance company and phone number
- Insurance policy number
- Make and model of the cars
- Your and other driver’s phone number and name
For good measure, get the other driver’s social security number if he is comfortable giving it to you.
Step 3: Contact Your Car Insurance
Now that you have all the information you need, contact your car insurance company. If you need your car towed, or if you need a rental car because your car is un-drivable, call the insurance company from the scene of the accident. They can help you find these services while they start to process your claim, and if you have coverage that pays for towing or rental car reimbursement, you won’t have to pay out of pocket for these.
If you would rather, you can file your claim from your home computer or even your phone. You’ll have to fill out a few details about the accident, but once you submit it, you can track the status of the claim online through your insurance website.
Step 4: Get Your Car Fixed
Whether the damage is just superficial or severe, your car insurance company will assess the damage and approve it for repair. A repair shop that is approved by your insurance will give your insurance company an estimate for repairing the damages. Your insurance company may pay the repair facility directly or they may pay you and then you will pay the repair shop.
Should you choose not to get your car repaired (in the case of it being insignificant damage) the car insurance company will send you a check for the amount of the estimated repair. You can spend it as you like.
Most insurance companies make the claims process pretty painless, but knowing what to expect can help you through it.
