The first step

Filing a claim can be a little intimidating, but with the right knowledge, you’ll find yourself empowered by the system. Though, before you follow these steps make sure you have proof of damage or injury. Understand that five sets of information are received by the carrier including what YOU tell the insurance companies, what the OTHER PARTY tells them, a police report, witnesses and physical damage at the scene. Consider all of these factors when filing a claim, and then follow these steps to help save you some time.

Still at the scene?

1.  Exchange license plate numbers, contact and auto insurance information
2.  Find someone who witnessed the accident and acquire their information
3.  If you cannot get any witness information, you can rely on the police report as a back-up source of information. It is very important to get information from a third party with no stake in the accident
4. Insist the police take a report. In many jurisdictions, police may try to avoid reporting on the accident when they assume the damage is under $500 dollars, which is equivalent to many deductibles.
5.  Contact your insurance company as soon as possible. If possible call right from the scene. Find the number on your insurance ID card.
6.  Advise the party who is at fault to inform their carrier that you will be pursuing reimbursement for the costs your carrier will not pay.

What if I don’t have collision coverage?

Assuming the other party is at fault, you will have to file a claim their carrier.

What if they don’t have insurance?

Prepare to negotiate with the party directly in court.

After the accident?

1. Expect a phone call from the other company asking for the details of the event. Make sure to write down the information beforehand.
2. Then expect an adjustor to come out and inspect the vehicle to estimate the costs of the damage.
3. If the insurance company has a repair program, the adjustor might not visit. Instead, the insurance company would refer you to a shop.
4. If you find that the settlement offer is too low you may ask your insurance company for a form of arbitration. The process may take two to six weeks.

How will this affect my rates?

This is based on several factors including who’s at fault, your driving record, and the severity of the accident. If it’s not your fault, the police record will be your best friend when talking with your insurer. A clean driving record will also keep your rates down. Lastly, the severity of your accident is measured by how much it will cost to fix. If the vehicle damage is less than your deductible and no one else was involved, be prepared to pay out of pocket.

Insurance is a game of chess, not checkers …

Deciding to file isn’t easy, but we’ve got a few points to highlight that might be able to help you.

1. You Have Moving Violations: Monthly auto insurance rates are based on how you drive. Some companies use the number of claims you file and others look at your tickets. So, if you’ve got a few violations already and can avoid filing another claim, this might help keep your rates low.
2. Your Deductible: If your claim will only provide you with a small amount after your deductible, think about waiting. Or, raise your deductible. If you can afford it, this will lower your premiums and over time might pay for itself.
3. What About the Other Guy’s Insurance: In traffic accidents, it takes at least two to tango. So if you were the victim of a collision there’s a chance the other parties insurance could cover the damages.

Morrison Insurance knows that working out claims from traffic accidents can be stressful. But we want to make sure you and your investment are protected while you’re out on the road. We encourage you to call us today at 775.473.9300 and find out how easy it is to save with us.

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