Filing an insurance claim: step by step

Many people are confused when an accident takes place and become a bit stressed when it comes to filing a claim. Especially if there’s no previous experience in dealing with insurance companies. To make it much easier and less stressful for you, here is a step-by-step guide on how to file an auto insurance claim:

1. Decide whether you need to file the claim at all. Simple fact is that you contact your insurance company with simple questions about filing a claim it is already introduced into your personal record and regarded as a claim. And having more entries in your record simply means your rates will go up. So try to keep your number of claim entries as low as possible. No matter whether it was your fault or not in the accident, you should first ask yourself if you can pay for the damages on your own. If the answer is positive and you can cover the damages without serous financial problems then don’t file the claim at all. Insurance assistance should only be used in cases when there’s no other choice.

2. Provide as much accurate information as possible. If you have decided that filing a claim is inevitable then try to include all the necessary details into your report. If there were any witnesses, try to obtain information from them. The more information you provide, the easier it will be for the insurance company to process your claim and cover your losses. Remember, that the information should be accurate and true because if it’s not, the company may refuse paying at all.

3. Try filing the claim as soon as possible to make sure it’s processed properly and on time. Keep in mind that your insurance company will start processing it only when you apply, even if you’re not at fault. So the sooner the better, especially if you have to cover serious damage or injury.

4. Be prepared for another insurance provider to contact you. In case there’s a dispute between your insurance provider and the other party’s insurance company after the accident you may be contacted by the other insurer to provide your point of view on the accident. If this takes place try documenting or recording the whole conversation and writing down the name of the person you were talking with. It may be very useful in case there are any complications or legal action taken in the situation. Which may be possible even if you have cheap car insurance.

5. Getting your vehicle repaired at last. In case your auto suffered body damage during the accident it will only be after the insurance company has processed the claim that you will get it fixed. Usually, if your claim was processed and approved your insurance company will contact you and indicate sending your car to specific body shops after the insurance adjuster has evaluated the damage. Some claims get processed faster than the others, depending on how complicated your situation was with the accident and how many parties have been involved. Some people think that having cheap car insurance will make the process longer compared to more costly policies, but It isn’t so.