Car accidents are unfortunate, traumatic, and dangerous. But there is something that most of the people forget; car accidents are costly. Without the proper car insurance policies, an accident can cost a fortune.
Knowing all the little details about auto insurance and, most importantly, how to file a car insurance claim after an accident is crucial.
Believe it or not, filing a car insurance claim starts right after the accident on the roads! Make sure you know all the steps, so your claim is processed quickly without the risk of rejection.
Have the proper policy
Before the accident, it is essential to make sure that you have the right car insurance policy to cover all the possible damages due to the accident. No single policy covers all the damage. So make sure you have all the essential policies.
Collision coverage: Collision insurance can be claimed to cover the cost of car repairs needed after the accident. It is claimable even if the accident was your fault. It is an optional policy, but very important to have. No collision accidents will be covered if you do not have collision coverage.
Comprehensive coverage: Comprehensive coverage can be claimed for damage to your car while parked. Projectile damage, damages due to animals, riots, vandalism, and natural disasters are all included. You can also claim this policy if your car is stolen.
Personal Injury Protection plan: Personal Injury Protection plan is mandatory in twelve states, while optional in the remaining others. This policy can be claimed to cover the cost of medical treatments needed after the accident.
Not just the cost of treatments, but the personal injury protection plan will also reimburse you for any lost wages. It can be claimed no matter whose fault the car accident was (hence the states where this policy is mandatory is called “No-Fault States.)
Uninsured Motorist coverage: Uninsured motorist coverage can be claimed if the at-fault driver at fault lacks liability insurance or is underinsured (coverage limit is insufficient to pay for the total cost of repairs or medical treatments.)
An uninsured motorist coverage plan is essential since there are 32 million uninsured drivers. You can also claim this policy in a hit-and-run accident.
Liability Insurance: We have kept liability insurance at last despite it being mandatory in 49 states because liability insurance does not cover the cost of an accident for the policyholder.
Liability insurance covers the cost of vehicle repairs and hospital bills of the other driver injured in the accident caused by the policyholder. Many people think that liability insurance is all they need. But optional policies are equally important.
Now that you know the different car insurance policies you must have and what they cover, let’s look at the process of filing for a car insurance claim.
Right After the Accident
Right after the moment you have had the accident, the steps to ensure a smooth and quick claim process begins. Follow all these steps before filing a claim.
Step 1: Ensure Safety
When you are in a road accident, you need to ensure that you and your passengers (if any) are okay. Check for any injury, bleeding, etc. Get out of the vehicle as soon as you can and move to a safe place.
You can move to the next step only after you are done, ensuring everything is okay.
Step 2: Call 911
Informing the authorities and getting the cops involved is one of the most important steps to ensure faster claim processing. You must report the accident to the police if you want to file a claim.
An official police report is almost always needed for claim processing. Lacking one would result in delayed processing or even getting your claim rejected. So once you are in a safe place, call 911.
Step 3: Call Your Insurance Agent
Accuracy is paramount when it comes to insurance claims. After you have called the police, contact your insurance agent or insurer and let them know about the accident. Tell them every detail you remember so that it stays on the record.
Step 4: Photos and Videos
This step is often missed by many people, either due to the shock of the accident or because they need to be made aware of the importance of this step. Taking photographic evidence of the accident goes a long way in speeding up the claim process.
So take your phone out, and click pictures of the accident. Take photos of everything that is vital to the accident, including the damages to the car and injuries to the body. Videos are even better. Record everything around the accident site, cars, etc.
Another essential thing to do is record yourself describing the details of the accident. It is imperative as the insurance agents and the cops will ask you to describe the situation in detail about the accident.
Step 5: Make an Official Claim
Almost all the major car insurance companies allow you to make a claim through multiple ways; calls, online, emails, and in-person. Talk to your insurance agent about all the methods and select the best one.
Once the claim has been filed, your auto insurer will do their own investigation and ask you a few questions to ensure that it was a genuine accident and not insurance fraud. Answer all the questions without hiding anything.
After all the process has been done, your claim will be processed.
Things to Note
Do remember that once you have made an insurance claim, your insurance rates will go up, and you will lose any no-claims bonuses if you have one. Make sure that you have selected the most affordable car insurance company in your state.
For example, if you live in Illinois, then search for the best Illinois car insurance rates if your current insurance rates have gone too high. Find the option that provides excellent coverage at the best price.
Also, having a dashcam can be extremely helpful in speeding things up as it can record the entire accident, removing the need for investigation.
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Here are all the essential things you need to know and steps to follow to file for a car insurance claim and get it processed quickly.
