Steps To Process A Car Accident Insurance Claim
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Filing a car accident insurance claim is a very easy affair, but processing it correctly becomes difficult because of the thrill caused due to the accident. If all information is furnished in the right manner then the claim shouldn’t take more than a week to get processed, even if getting the check for the damage and expenses may take almost a month to reach by mail.
Once you are in an accident you should first check to make sure that everyone is all right. If it was a severe car accident someone may have to call 911 to get help. It is also important to remember that you should not admit fault at any time after an accident. If it turns out that the accident wasn’t your fault you may still end up paying as a result. Try to get everyone calmed down and relaxed before approaching the other driver or drivers.
You must approach the other party only to exchange contact details and car insurance information. You must get details like their names, address, and phone number. If you find that the other driver is upset then let the police officer arrive and take this information on your behalf. The police officer will draft a report with whatever information he can gather by talking to both parties and inspecting the accident area.
Before anything else is done you should take a few quick pictures. Of course, if you are in a busy area they will want to get the cars out of the way as soon as possible, but you need to get pictures before anything is moved. Get pictures of the damage to both cars and the surrounding area.
This is also the time to call your claims agent. If everyone has a little time to wait the agent can come out immediately. They help take pictures, question witnesses, and get the story straight. They will also help you fill out the claim form, whether it is over the phone or in person. They need to know the exact time of the accident and where it was. Try to get a copy of the police report and send it in if possible.
Generally, you are free to leave the scene after you have called your claims representative, taken pictures, and exchanged information with the other car driver or drivers. Even if it is a light accident, you must not and leave the spot without exchanging any information otherwise it would be called a hit and run. The insurance check should come by mail, but this can take weeks or may be a month. You will most likely have to bear all the initial costs from your own pocket.
You can ask several things to the claims agent to clearly understand the claims procedure. You may ask things like your coverage details, as different types of plans offer dissimilar coverage. You may question the agents as to when the remaining paper work is due, though its generally done in less than a week. In case of grave accidents, you may get your lawyer have a look at your legal formalities and paper work.
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