Automobile Accidents – Information needed for Insurance ClaimsOkay – you have just been in an accident. Now what?
After the initial shock of, WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!
You need to gather some information. This will help expedite your claim.Download the Free E Booklet Today. Keep a Copy for Accident and Car Rental Coverage for Insurance Claims, with Checklists handy.
Get complete information from the other party(s) involved.
These means copying down their address, driver’s license number(s), date of birth, and get their phone number. You also want to get their insurance information including, the company, policy number, agent if there is one, the policy begin and expiration date and the insurance companies phone number. You need as much info as possible to give to your insurance company; this will help get your claim resolved as fast as possible.
Who saw the accident happen? See if you can get information from anyone who saw the accident. This can help the insurance companies determine who is liable for the accident.
Have the Police been called? Make sure to get the name and badge number of the officer and a report number. They will usually give you a business card. It may take your insurance company up to 3 months to get a police report. Tip: Get a copy of the police report for yourself. Sometimes issues will come up and you may need it. Do not rely on the insurance company to keep a copy.
Get the vehicle(s) year, make and model, the license plate number, and VIN number for each vehicle involved in the accident.
Where were you when the accident happened? Gather as much information as to traffic, speeds, road condition, any traffic signs or signals. Better yet, Get a Picture. Take photos of the cars, and the roads or area surrounding the accident. Write down the intersection or street that the accident happened on. If you can get the other party in the photo, it could help if either insurance company needs help identifying the other party involved.
Note how many people were in each of the vehicles involved. Once you know, make a brief note of their description or name including: ethnicity, gender, weight, height, etc. This will help if you are the victim of a staged accident or other type of insurance fraud since people sometimes mysteriously are reported as an occupant of the vehicle when they were not even there. This is not common, but if it ever does happen, this will help you avoid being a victim.
How damaged were the vehicles right after the accident? Was it drivable? How bad is it damaged? Check to see if you can tell if some damage was already there not related to this accident. If there was additional damage on the vehicle not related to this accident, be sure to tell your insurance company, so that you don’t end up paying for something you did not cause.
Where do I go to get my vehicle repaired? Your Insurance Company may have a Body Shop that they work with in your area. If you know of a Body Shop that you want to use, have that information handy. Be sure to ask about the Body Shop’s warranties and what exactly do they cover. Make sure that you understand your deductibles, and if they apply to this situation.
Record all the information and keep it in a safe place. This will help if there is a problem with the claim. When you report the accident, be sure to write down who you spoke with, your claim number, and what if any promises were made.
Keep it between the lines,
Happy Motoring
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