NEWS
What do You need To Know About Filing A Car Insurance Claim?
Getting involved in a car accident can be a horrifying experience. Even if you’re fortunate enough to escape with minor bruises (or none at all), there may be a costly financial burden to bear. This is precisely why we have motor vehicle insurance companies.
Auto insurance can come in handy when it’s established that you’re the ‘at-fault’ driver. Depending on your policy, you could also be eligible for benefits even if the accident was caused by other road users.
However, your chances of getting compensation in the aftermath of a car collision depend on the speed with which you file an auto insurance claim. Wondering how to go about that process? Well, this article is for you.
We’ve prepared a definitive guide to a car insurance claim, including what it is and how to go about filing it.
What Is a Car Insurance Claim?
The primary role of motor vehicle insurance companies is to cushion you against car-related accidents. The ideal expectation is that the insured risks never occur. But when they do, it’s essential to let your insurer know as soon as possible.
A car insurance claim is essentially a formal request made by a policyholder to an insurance company for payment in the event the insured experiences a loss covered by their policy. This request kick-starts the process of accessing your benefits with a view to meeting the repair costs or medical expenses resulting from the accident.
However, the term ‘car insurance claim’ may also simply denote the act of notifying your auto insurer that you’ve been in an accident. That’s regardless of whether you’re seeking financial benefits or not.
How Important Is A Car Insurance Claim?
The general perception among many car owners is that an insurance claim should only be filed when one is seeking financial compensation. Nothing can be further from the truth.
In many countries and jurisdictions worldwide, auto insurance companies require their policyholders to report all car accidents. That’s regardless of who’s at fault, the extent of damage, and whether the policyholder needs compensation or not. Failure to do so could constitute a breach of the insurer’s terms and conditions, resulting in unspecified consequences for the policyholder.
How Soon Should You File a Car Insurance Claim?
Availing of claims can often depend on the nature of your policy or the company that you employ. Midwesterners can easily compare Wisconsin Car insurance rates online and get the best possible claims for their insurance. With so many options available, getting insurance has never been easier for insurers.
Part of learning about how to file a car insurance claim entails knowing how soon after an accident you should make the notification.
The conventional wisdom is to file the request as a matter of urgency. However, it shouldn’t necessarily be the very first thing you do after an impact. Ordinarily, you’d begin by establishing your safety as well as that of your passengers. It’s also important to do the same to the other vehicle.
In the case of critical injuries, it would be best to get paramedic help before contacting your insurance company.
Things to Do/Know Before Filing a Car Insurance Claim
1. Choose the Right Auto Insurance Company
Choosing the best motor vehicle insurance company isn’t something you’ll do at the scene of an accident. Rather, it’s something you ought to have done before buying your auto policy.
While scouting around for the best insurance company, it’s important to opt for an insurer with a robust online presence. The company should preferably have an official website, mobile app, and social media platforms. These services will especially come in handy when you need to file a car insurance claim at the scene of the crash.
2. Understand Your Coverage
This may sound like a no-brainer. However, it’s not uncommon to find policyholders making insurance claims for benefits that aren’t tied to their policy types.
It’s still important to notify your insurer of your involvement in an accident. But in the interest of your peace of mind, it’s best to know whether you stand to receive any financial benefits.
For instance, you may not be eligible for compensation for pothole-related damages without collision insurance.
Procedure for Filing a Car Insurance Claim
There’s no standard procedure for filing a car insurance claim. The process depends on your insurer and local insurance regulations. However, the general steps to follow are as follows;
1. Contact Your Insurer Immediately
It’s highly recommended to contact your auto insurance company immediately you’ve been involved in a car crash. That’s regardless of the scope of damage and whether you’re at fault or not.
Notifying your insurer immediately helps escalate the claims process.
2. Document Evidence
Right after notifying your insurance company, begin collecting evidence. Your smartphone will come in handy here.
Take as many clear photos as you can, paying particular attention to the high-impact areas. Also, collect video evidence if you can.
A notebook might also help capture some quick information, including the driving details of the other motorist.
3. Submit the Collected Evidence
Most established insurance companies now implement online interfaces and mobile applications that help facilitate the claims procedure. You can leverage these services to upload the necessary documentation.
Some tools even allow you to file a claim right from the accident scene. Besides, you can use them to access crucial policy information, such as your coverage type and deductible amounts.
4. Fill Out a Proof of Claim Form
Even after submitting the documented evidence online, it’s still essential to fill out a manual proof of claim. Agents from your insurer will avail this form to you, possibly at the crash site.
Ensure the information on the form is consistent with the data already submitted. You can also include additional details like a police report and the other motorist’s driving credentials.
Wrap Up
There goes our comprehensive guide to filing an auto insurance claim. Remember that the sooner you file the request, the faster your case can be processed. And research all the details in advance.
Umar Nisar was born and raised in the busy city of Abbottabad. As a journalist, Umar Nisar has contributed to many online publications including PAK Today and the Huffing Post. In regards to academics, Umar Nisar earned a degree in business from the Abbottabad UST, Havelian. Umar Nisar follows the money and covers all aspects of emerging tech here at The Hear Up.
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