You will need to file an insurance claim if your vehicle is involved in a collision, or your car is damaged while you are driving it. You can file a claim to have your vehicle repaired or replaced. You may be eligible for a loaner vehicle, depending on which insurance company you have.
Find out if you have to file a Car Insurance claim
You don’t have to file an insurance claim just because your mirror was scratched while you were waiting at McDonald’s. It is important to consider the consequences of filing a claim. One of these is that your rates may go up if you file multiple claims. Although many car insurance companies won’t raise your rates for your first claim, rates could go up if you have multiple claims, such as hitting a pole or parking in a lot.
The deductible is one of the many deterrents that carriers use to stop customers from filing claims frequently. The deductible is the amount that you agree to pay before your insurance company pays any remaining costs. The customer can choose the amount of the deductible. Usually, it is $250 to $1,000. The deductible will determine how much lower your premiums. Insurers know that customers with high deductibles are less likely to file frivolous claims or drive more cautiously. This is why they offer discounted pricing.
You can often repair small damage to your vehicle for as little as $100. It is not always worth filing a claim. Sometimes, you might even bump another vehicle. However, there may not be any visible damage to your vehicle or that of the other party. Sometimes, you may agree that an accident report is not necessary and decide to not file a claim. To protect yourself, you should still get the name, phone number, and insurance information of the other party to the accident report. You can also take photos of the incident and then write down details about what happened.
What to Do After a Serious Car Accident
No matter how careful you drive, accidents do happen. To avoid being hit from behind, pull over immediately if you are involved in a car accident. Call the appropriate authorities to initiate an investigation and have a report prepared. It is important to get a police report. This will help determine who was responsible for the incident. Request an ambulance if there are any injuries, regardless of how minor. If you are suffering from injuries, always be safe and get checked out at the hospital. The other person involved in the accident should also be gathered some information. This includes:
* Full name of the person
* Telephone and home address
* License Number
* Policy Number and Insurance Carrier
Locate any Witnesses
Get the contact information and statements of witnesses who were present at the scene of an accident. This will assist police in creating the accident report. If the police refuses to prepare a report and there is no damage, then you will need witnesses to corroborate your claim.
Contact the Auto Insurance
After an accident, you should immediately contact your insurance company. Most people have a cell phone with them these days. Contact your insurance company immediately to start the claim process. A representative from insurance will ask several questions to get a full picture of what happened. When a claim is being filed, it’s important to remember what happened. The claim number will be provided to you. This number will be used for any further communication regarding the claim. Once your claim is filed, your insurer will send an adjuster out to inspect your vehicle and take photos of the accident scene.
Have your automobile fixed at an authorized Repair Shop
Many car insurance companies have relationships with preferred auto insurance providers and can recommend them to you. Although it is recommended that you take your vehicle to an auto body shop certified by your insurer, this is not always a requirement. You should drive your car to the shop as soon as you can so that you can get on the road again sooner.
After the adjuster has reviewed the police report and collected all relevant information, the claim can be settled. The adjuster will then be able to pay for your damages to your vehicle, medical expenses, and any other incidental costs. Your premiums shouldn’t go up if the accident wasn’t your fault.