How to File a Claim with Auto Insurance
What to Do When Car is Damaged in an Accident or Natural Disaster
Mar 24, 2009
Few life events are as unnerving as getting into an auto accident or finding an enormous tree crushing down on one’s auto. After the initial shock of the event and the exchange of auto insurance information, the driver must contact his or her auto insurance and file an auto claim.
Auto Insurance: What Is an Auto Insurance Claim?
An auto insurance claim is a communication between driver and auto insurance that damage to the driver’s vehicle has occurred, typically as the result of an auto accident. However, an auto accident isn’t the only scenario where the driver files a claim with his or her auto insurance.
Auto damage via natural disasters, theft, cracked windshields, hail damage, fallen trees, struck animals, and vandalism are also instances in which the driver must contact his or her auto insurance to file a claim.
Auto Insurance: How is an Auto Insurance Claim Filed?
An auto insurance claim is usually filed by contacting the driver’s auto insurance by phone. However, some auto insurance companies allow drivers to file auto claims on the web, depending on the nature and complexity of the claim.
Essentially the steps to filing an auto insurance claim are as follows:
- Determine whether to file a claim. Auto insurance keeps a record of claims and accidents and it may affect the driver’s auto insurance rates regardless of fault. If the damage is minor or can be easily and cheaply repaired, contacting auto insurance to file a claim may be financially disadvantageous.
- Review Auto Accident Hot Sheet Checklist.
- Exchange auto insurance information and personal contact info with the other driver.
- Call the police. If there is a dispute as to who is at fault in the auto accident, call the police and state the location of the accident. A police officer will arrive on the scene of the auto accident, hear both sides, and will file a legal accident report.
- File the auto insurance claim. Whether or not the accident is the fault of the driver, the auto insurance company should be notified immediately that an accident has taken place. This way, the auto insurance can help the driver through the claims process.
- Document the auto accident. Although the claim has been filed with the driver’s auto insurance, it’s a very good idea to document the auto accident in detail. This way, the driver is prepared should the other party’s auto insurance contact the driver to cooberate the details of the auto accident.
Auto Insurance: Tips for Being Prepared for Car Damage
Though drivers may not get into an auto accident or find a fallen tree crushing their auto every day, they should still take the following measures to be prepared should they find their car damaged:
- Keep an auto insurance information card in both glove compartment and wallet
- Keep a copy of the Auto Accident Hot Sheet Checklist in glove compartment
- Keep two pens and a pad of paper in glove compartment
- Call police if necessary to determine fault
- Document everything
Getting in an auto accident or finding a tree on one’s auto is no fun. That’s why learning about auto insurance claims, how to file an auto claim, and how to be prepared for that day is important so the driver knows exactly what steps to take.
See related articles, “Auto Accident Hot Sheet Checklist" and "How Auto Insurance Determines Total Loss."
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