Imagine this: You are driving to work, listening to your favorite radio station, when out of nowhere a car t-bones you at an intersection! You are shaken up, dazed and not sure what happened. You take a deep breath, take inventory of any injuries you may have and slowly get out of the car.
The other driver is upset, yelling at you that this was all your fault. You are pretty sure that you had the right of way, but the way he is yelling at you is making you doubt yourself. Do you remember what you should do?
Hopefully you remember that advice from your auto insurance agent, telling you what to do in case of an accident:
Step 1: Pull out your phone to call the police.
Even if no one seems to be injured, call the police right away so they can send out officers to gather information about the scene and take official statements from both you and the other driver, as well as any witnesses.
Step 2: Ask for the other driver’s information.
While you are waiting for the police, ask the other person for their information. If they refuse to give you anything and you’re not sure what to do, move on to step three.
Step 3: Take pictures.
The more pictures you take now, the more useful they’ll be for your auto insurance agent later. Take pictures of both your vehicle and the other driver’s vehicle. This is a good time to ask for their information again. If they decide to give it to you, take a picture of their driver’s license and proof of insurance.
Step 4: Tell the police what happened.
Once the police arrive they’ll ask you each separately what happened, so you can tell them everything you remember from your point of view. They are also gathering information, so you can feel pretty confident things will be straightened out as soon as possible.
Let’s say the police give you the report number and issue the other driver a ticket. You probably feel pretty darn good. You are not injured and it’s the other person’s fault. But there’s still one more step.
Step 5: Call your auto insurance agent.
Remember to call your auto insurance agent promptly to file the claim so they can get the ball rolling. Your agent will ask you a few questions and you’ll tell them what happened. If you’ve taken all five steps above, you will feel pretty stoked you have all the information.
Your auto insurance agent may suggest you start the claim with the other carrier, which would expedite things for you. Your agent will also help you get all the information on the other carrier and even coordinate conference calls with you to help file the claim.
Taking pictures, getting the other driver’s information and filing a police report will all help to make your claims experience go smoothly.
Aren’t you glad you listened to your auto insurance agent and knew exactly what to do in case of an accident?
Disclaimer: The information used in these blogs is for examples only and does not pertain to every situation. All insurance policies are different and tailored to each specific client. Claim details can also change outcomes. In no way do these blogs represent your specific coverage or replace coverage advice from your insurance company/agent. You should always review your entire policy and contact your insurance company and/or agent to verify coverage your policy does and does not cover.