Essential steps to follow if you’ve been involved in an auto accident.
- Move out of the way of traffic and turn on your hazard lights.
- Call the police, even if it is a minor accident. If someone is injured, request medical assistance.
- If fire is involved, request fire department aid.
- Exchange information with the other driver(s). Don’t forget to write down the license plate numbers of all involved vehicles. If it’s safe to do so, take pictures of the accident scene and the involved vehicles.
- Report your claim to your insurance company. The sooner you report, the sooner they can help.
- If you can’t report your claim right away, you should record the details of your accident on line at your insurance company web site or your own written record of the accident incident. Contact your agent for accident report form.
Adult upset driver man in front of automobile crash car collision accident in city road
What you need to know about the repair process and your estimate
Depending on the type of damage, your Insurance Co. Claim professional may need to schedule a time to inspect your vehicle to determine what needs to be repaired or replaced. Your Insurance Co should replace damaged safety-related parts (e.g., airbags and tires) with new parts.
It is not uncommon for additional damage to be found after the repairs have begun. The repair facility will make a list of the additional damage and contact your Insurance Co. to review it before repairing any damage not included in your estimate. Your chosen repair facility and your Insurance Co. Claim professional will discuss the difference in estimates and work together to make sure quality repairs are performed on your vehicle.
What does the term “subrogation” mean, and how does it affect the insured?
Occasionally, another person may be responsible for the damage to your property. If so, your Insurance Co. may seek reimbursement from that other person or that person’s insurance carrier. This pursuit of reimbursement is referred to as “subrogation. Your Insurance Co. may need your cooperation with this effort. If there is a recovery, you may receive reimbursement for some or all of your deductible.
