How To Get The Most Out Of Your Car Insurance After An Accident

It can happen in the time it takes to blink: that moment you misjudged how slick the road was during that last rainstorm, or that time the person behind you looked down just a minute too long to slow down in time. Accidents happen – thank goodness car insurance is there to help pick up the pieces and protect your wallet after a car accident. With the right car cover, making a claim on your motor insurance is as simple as 1, 2, 3.

Step 1: Collect Information About Your Car Accident

There are few details you will need to have on hand, when claiming from your car insurance. Things like the license plate number of the other party’s car, the contact details of the driver, and the car’s make and model are just some of the details you will be expected to provide in an auto insurance claim or an accident report to the police.

A useful tool to keep in your car in case of the worst is a car accident checklist. This will help you keep track of information you will need when you file your car insurance claim.

Step 2: File An Accident Report

In the event of an accident, contact the police as soon as it is safe to do so. You may be a bit shaken up after an accident and might not be in the best position to assess the situation fully. Having a police officer there to take your statement on the spot could ensure that all details are captured by a more objective observer. If nothing else, the presence of a police officer could serve to protect you should the other motorist become difficult or aggressive. The police officer could also make sure there are other emergency services present at the scene to handle injuries or dangerous damage, like leaking fuel or oil.

When you apply for your insurance claim, you will be asked to supply a case file number. This is the number of the accident report you file at the police station. It’s best to report an accident on the day that it took place.

Step 3: Call Your Insurance Company

Inform your insurance provider of the accident as soon as you can. Make sure you have all your policy details on hand as well as the details of the other party involved in the accident. Once you have a case number from the police as well as the insurance details of the other parties, you can file a formal claim to your car insurance provider.

After you’ve notified them about the car accident, your insurance provider will send you a claim form to complete, which you will need to send back with supporting evidence and the case number from the police. The sooner you send back this form and the relevant documents and information, the better.

Be sure to hold on to a copy of the claim form as well as a record of all communications that take place during this process. While your claim is being processed, ask your insurance provider for a list of workshops you can take your car to for repairs. It’s best to go with one of your insurance company’s recommended options, since they may not settle the full bill from a repairer that isn’t on that list. And at the end of the day, don’t we rely on car insurance to protect our wallet?