Winter Weather Fender Bender?
Step-by-step tips for filing an insurance claim after an accident:
For many U.S. drivers, winter roads pose potential hazards. Ice and snow are a nuisance to drive in, but it can also be quite costly if treacherous conditions lead to a dent, ding, or fender bender – and we’re not always thinking clearly in the moments following a car accident to take action to initiate an insurance claim.
Below are a few tips to bear in mind now to better prepare you to file an insurance claim after an accident.
At the Accident Scene:
1. Call 911 if anyone involved in the accident needs immediate medical care.
2. No matter how minor the accident (and whether it was a one-person incident or involves multiple drivers), stay at the scene. If you leave, the other driver could file a report and blame you for causing the accident.
3. Call the police. You’ll want to have a police report on file to document the details of the accident. Get the name and badge number of the officer on duty.
4. Get to safety. Ideally, you’ll want to leave the cars as they are before the police arrive, but if the vehicle(s) is drivable and poses a threat to other motorists, you can move it safely to the shoulder of the road.
5. Exchange contact and insurance information with all other drivers and witnesses and ask witnesses to stay to talk to the police and report what they saw.
6. Take pictures of all vehicles involved and take close-up pictures of the damage.
7. Note the make, model, colors and license plates of all involved vehicles; also note the street location and other details of the accident scene.
8. Arrange to have your car towed directly to a body shop if necessary. You can call your insurance agent to help coordinate this.
After the Accident:
1. Report the accident to your insurance provider. You can do this at the scene or immediately afterwards. Many insurance companies have an app to simplify this process – if yours does, make sure to download it and create a password and log-in when you have time and are thinking clearly.
2. Ask your insurance agent to file a claim on your behalf. Depending on who’s deemed at fault for the accident, this could ensure you are compensated for a portion, if not all, of your auto repairs. If your insurance policy stipulates rental car coverage, your claim will also cover a rental car stipend to provide a rental car for you to drive while your car is being repaired.
3. Request a copy of your police report and send it to your insurance agent.
4. Keep thorough records of all relevant correspondence, estimates for auto repair and other details pertinent to your claim and share them with your insurance agent.
5. Work with your insurance agent throughout the claims process. Early in the process, your agent will connect you to an adjuster to determine the extent of your damages. This will help your insurance company decide if it’s more cost effective to cover the repairs for your vehicle or consider it totaled. In either case, your insurance agent will serve as your point of contact throughout the process, from the time of the accident until reimbursement.
While we hope you’ll never need it, the Consumers First team is here to help your review your policy to ensure you’re protected for any unexpected fender bender or auto claim, no matter what insurance provider you choose – and we’ll be by your side throughout the claims process if you’re involved an in accident.
Play it safe on winter roadways but rest easy knowing our professional insurance team is here if you need us.
By: Nancy Hallahan