If You Are in an Accident
Call the police.
A police report can help if you have an accident or if your car is stolen or damaged by vandals. What looks like a minor dent could be several hundred dollars’ worth of damage.
Obtain information.
Write down the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and license number of persons involved and of witnesses. Note the time, date, location, road conditions, make and year of vehicles involved, insurance information, apparent damage and injuries, and your version of what happened. Make a diagram of the accident. Your insurance company will need complete information about the account.
Call your agent.
Phone your agent promptly, even if you are far from home. Have your policy number ready, plus all license numbers, phone numbers, and other information.
Ask your agent.
Find out what documents, forms, and data you’ll need. If you have any questions, your agent will be able to assist you in filling out the forms.
Cooperate and answer all questions fully.
Your insurer may call you for more information or ask to examine your damaged vehicle. In order to determine the extent of damage, they must have access to the vehicle.
Take notes.
Whenever you talk with insurance company employees, your agent, lawyers, police, or others, write down the date, times, names, and subjects you talked about. Include all decisions or promises made.
Save receipts.
Your auto policy may pay for incidentals such as a car rental or a hotel room if your accident happens out of town. Save copies of all documents you send or receive.
Filing a Motor Vehicle Claim
If your company car or truck is involved in an accident, if it is damaged by fire, flood or vandalism, or if it is stolen,
follow these steps in filing a claim.
- Call your agent or insurer as soon as possible. Ask what forms or documents will be needed to support your claim. Your insurer may require a “proof of loss” form, as well as documents relating to your claim,
- such as medical and repair bills and a copy of the police report.
- Supply the information your insurer needs. Cooperate with the investigation, settlement or defense of receive in connection with your loss. Your insurer will represent you if a claim is brought against you and defend you if you are sued for a claim covered by the policy.
- Keep records of expenses you may incur as a result of the accident. You may be reimbursed for them because of your policy. If the accident occurs while employees are conducting insurer-related business activities, your worker’s compensation policy will cover the workers’ medical expenses and loss of income.
- Keep copies of all paper work for your own files. You may need them later.
Repairing Your Car
Coverage for your vehicle in the personal auto insurance policy is not based on replacement cost. The policy is based on actual cash value of the automobile. The “actual cash value” (ACV) of the automobile is based on the value of the vehicle at the time of loss, taking into account its current market value. Therefore, the insurer’s obligation is to repair the car based upon its actual cash value not its
replacement cost. If your car is damaged in an accident, your insurer will request that you submit one or more written estimates for the cost of repairs. This permits you and your insurer to compare estimates and have your vehicle repaired at the lowest possible cost. Competitive body shop estimates
reduce insurance claim costs which helps in maintaining or reducing auto insurance rates.
Your insurer may suggest, but cannot require, you to have your car repaired at a specific auto repair shop. If you
choose to have the repairs done at a facility not approved by your insurer, you are responsible for any repair costs that exceed the final claim settlement. Auto repair shops may use aftermarket or used parts
when repairing or replacing a damaged part (i.e., bumpers, bumper covers, and associated bumper parts). Aftermarket parts are produced by companies other than the original equipment manufacturers (known as OEM parts). Auto insurance contracts do not generally specify what parts will be used. You may request that aftermarket parts not be used to repair your vehicle, but you are responsible for any repair costs that exceed the final claim settlement negotiated with the insurer.
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Solid information.. This will be my First trip to this blog. Thank you for sharing this. I will bookmark this site. I was a truck repairman for five years. Our mechanics tip of the day is: Please don’t attempt a exotic repair job without help. That will cost you lots more in the end. Thank you ..