Steps to Take After a Car Accident: Insurance Claims Made Simple
Car accidents can leave you pretty shaky and, perhaps, not thinking all that clearly. That’s why it makes sense now to review the steps to take after a wreck—what to do next, including the process of filing a claim with your auto insurance company and getting reimbursed as quickly as possible.
The First Moments After a Car Accident: Immediate Action at the Scene
You might be scared, injured, shocked, confused, or angry, but try to keep your emotions out of it. Knowing what to do after a road accident is imperative. You must stay clear-headed and goal-oriented. The goal is to keep yourself and your passengers safe, file an insurance claim, and get your car back in working condition as soon as possible.
Safety and Health Assessments
First, get your car and everyone in it out of immediate danger. If the accident left your vehicle in the middle of a busy road, quickly get it over to the shoulder of the road or to another safe spot if your car isn’t disabled. Your next step is to get yourself and all passengers out of the vehicle if it’s safe to do so.
If anyone is injured, call 911 and seek medical help.
Information Exchange and Documentation
You’ll want to also use 911 or the local police phone number to try to get an officer sent to the scene so you can file a police report.
Reach out to the other driver and attempt to exchange contact information. But don’t take any chances — if the other driver is hostile or refuses to provide this information, back off. Instead, note the other vehicle’s license plate number and description.
Use your phone to photograph the damage to all vehicles. You might also use it to make a short video explaining what happened and who was at fault. Memories tend to fade after time, so documenting as much as you can at the time is important.
Navigating the Insurance Landscape
If you haven’t had many (or any) incidents in the past, you might be a little confused or even intimidated figuring out how to file a claim after a car accident. It’s really not as difficult as you might think. Review of your auto insurance policy when you renew so you understand the steps and what is covered.
Understanding Your Coverage and Deductibles
Does your insurance plan include collision insurance coverage? This will help you pay for repairs to your vehicle, regardless of if you caused the accident. If you have comprehensive coverage, it will do the same if you hit a deer or some other animal.
If you have liability-only coverage, this will only pay for damages to other parties if you’re at fault for the accident. This minimal form of coverage won’t pay for the damages to your vehicle in an at-fault state.
With comprehensive and collision, your insurer will pay the covered costs after your deductible has been met. For instance, if there was $3,500 in covered damages and you have a $1,000 deductible, your insurer will pick up the $2,500 remaining after you’ve paid the first $1,000 out of pocket.
Initiating the Claims Process with Your Insurer
This is usually the easy part. Your insurance company might have provided you with an 800 number for filing a claim. Or you might have an app on your phone to begin the claims process. Otherwise, contact your insurance agent or call the main number and be directed to the assistance you need.
Your insurer will guide you through the claims process, ensuring that your car insurance accidents coverage applies correctly. They will want to know the date, time, location, and other pertinent details of the accident. Provide a police report number if you have one. Also, if you have photos or video evidence, ask if this should be sent.
Dealing With Particular Scenarios
No two road accidents or auto insurance claims are the same. Every incident comes with its own variables and challenges. Here are some of the issues you might be facing.
At-Fault vs. No-Fault Accidents: What it Means for You
Were you involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault? If so, you may be wondering what to do after a car accident that’s not your fault to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Or are you the party to blame? If you live in an at-fault state — which is most of them — you’re only responsible for making a claim to your insurer if the accident was your fault. If the other driver was responsible, their insurance company (assuming they are insured) will cover your financial costs.
But if the accident was your fault, your insurer will pick up the covered costs for the other driver. If the responsible driver is uninsured or you were the victim of a hit-and-run driver, your plan will still pick up the costs if you have uninsured motorist coverage against uninsured and underinsured drivers.
If you live in one of the few no-fault states, your insurer will be responsible for your covered costs, regardless of blame.
Minor Accidents and Fender Benders: to Claim or Not to Claim?
It’s not true that your premiums will increase every time you file an insurance claim. However, policyholders with fewer claims tend to get better rates since they’re seen as being a lower risk to insurers. Keep that in mind if you have an at-fault fender bender that causes little damage to either vehicle.
In the first place, you won’t receive any reimbursement from your insurer if the claim amount is lower than your deductible. Even if the amount is slightly above your deductible, your claim might be too low to mitigate the risk the claim could have on future rate adjustments.
Consider your current finances and the likelihood that you might file a larger claim in the future.
When Things Don’t Go as Planned: Disputed Claims and Your Next Step
Always try to get law enforcement on the scene, particularly if the accident wasn’t your fault. That’s in the hope that a police report will be in your favor. When that happens, it’s unlikely that the other motorist’s insurance company will further dispute the claim, and you should be readily reimbursed for your damages.
If there is no police report, or the authorities can’t determine blame and the other driver isn’t accepting responsibility, you might have little choice except to hire a lawyer.
Make Sure You’re Covered with Acceptance Insurance Before Your Accident
Need to know more about how to file a claim after a car accident? Your independent Acceptance car insurance agent is an ideal resource. Let an Acceptance Insurance agent shop for the best coverage at the most affordable price.
Reach us at (877) 405-7102 or get a quick online quote. You can also find an Acceptance Insurance office near you so you can sit down with an agent.
FAQs on Car Accidents and Insurance
Want to learn more? Here are brief answers to a few of the more common questions you might have.
How Long After a Car Accident Can I File a Claim?
That depends on a few factors, including the state where the accident occurred and your insurance company’s policies. In some cases, you might have as long as a couple years. But why wait? You certainly don’t want to miss filing deadlines. Besides, the longer you wait, the longer you might have a damaged vehicle. Contact your insurer as soon as possible after your collision.
Do I Always Need a Police Report to File a Claim?
No, but it’s preferred. If the police report verifies your interpretation of the accident, your claim is likely to be successfully processed sooner. Sometimes, police involvement is out of your hands, especially if the accident happens in a large city and it’s considered to be of low importance, meaning that there are no injuries or serious damages. But always make the call.
Will My Insurance Rates Increase After an Accident?
Possibly, but not necessarily. Car accidents do affect premiums, but your insurer takes a lot of factors into consideration before setting rates. That includes your claims history. If this is the latest of several claims, you might see a big jump in your premium — or even a rejection of coverage renewal. But if your claim is a rare one, you might not see any rise.
What Is the Role of Witnesses in Supporting My Claim?
You’ll sometimes need to make a snap decision as to whether you should seek witnesses and get their statements on record. This might be more necessary if the other driver isn’t cooperating and the police don’t show up. If that’s the case, check if any third party on the scene saw what happened. See whether they support your interpretation of what happened and will provide their contact information. Impartial witnesses can be very valuable if your case goes to trial.
