When calling insurance after an accident, make sure you have information about everything that occurred. Providing any many details as possible can help when filing a claim.
What Do You Need to Do after a Car Accident?
If you’re involved in an auto accident, you might wonder you need to do next. To make sure you stay safe and fully covered, follow these steps:
- Check for injuries. If you’re injured, call 911 or ask someone else to call. If you believe you’re seriously injured, avoid moving and wait for help. Check your passengers if you can.
- Seek safety. Move to the side of the road or sidewalk if possible. Pull your vehicle over if it’s drivable and causing a hazard where it is. Otherwise, leave the car in place and get yourself to safety.
- Contact law enforcement. Calling the police is important, and some states require you to do so after an accident. The officers will complete an accident report and document the scene. If officers cannot get to the accident site, go to the nearest police station and file a report yourself.
- Exchange information. Share information with the other driver. The Insurance Information Institute (III) recommends you obtain the individual’s full name, contact information, insurance company and policy number, driver’s license number, license plate number, vehicle description, and accident location.
- Document the accident. In addition to compiling information about the driver, document the accident. Identify the officers by name and badge number, get a copy of the accident report, take pictures from different angles, write down names of all passengers, and talk to witnesses.
When Should You Contact Your Insurer?
After you complete the steps above, reach out to your insurer no matter who is at fault. You might want to contact your agent while at the accident scene so you know what they need to process your claim correctly.
Reasons you should contact your insurance company include:
- You might want to file a claim. If you experience accident-related injuries such as whiplash or if a dent or scratch affects your vehicle’s resale value, you might reconsider filing a claim.
- The other driver might file a claim. If you don’t report the accident, your insurance company might deny any claims or won’t represent you if the other driver files a lawsuit. You’re then forced to pay out of pocket.
The only time you might not want to contact your insurance company is if you caused damage only to your vehicle, you caused minimal property damage, and no one got hurt.
Why Should You Call Your Insurance Company as Soon as Possible?
To make sure you have the benefit of coverages on your policy, you must contact your insurance company and report the accident. It’s best to do this immediately, otherwise your insurer might deny coverage.
The only type of coverage that doesn’t require contacting your insurer within a reasonable amount of time is uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. If the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance or enough coverage to pay for your loss, this coverage might kick in.
When contacting your insurer, pay attention to what you discuss. Tell your agent you were involved in an accident, provide general background information, but avoid mentioning fault until you consult an attorney. Politely decline to give a statement until later.
What Are the Downsides to Filing a Car Insurance Claim?
According to WalletHub, one at-fault claim can raise your premium on average by 40 percent. If your annual premium is approximately $1500, it would increase by about $600 after the accident. It would also take between three to five years for the rates to decrease. How much your rate increases depends on several factors, including:
- The type of claim
- The amount of money claimed
- Your insurance company
- Your claims history
- Your location
- If you have accident forgiveness
The two most significant factors on this list are the claims type and amount. The type of accident will cause your premium to rise the most, especially if damages are more than $2000.
Although it might seem unfair, insurers can raise your rates after a claim even if you didn’t cause the accident. Insurance companies charge based on risk, and statistics show you’re more likely to file a claim after you’ve filed one recently.
Whose Company Should You File the Claim With?
If you’re not at fault for the accident and have standard liability insurance but not collision coverage, you should file a claim with the other driver’s company. Liability coverage pays for damage and injuries an at-fault driver causes to property and people. If you’re not at fault, you won’t use liability coverage. Instead, the other driver’s liability coverage kicks in.
However, filing with someone else’s insurer has its drawbacks. The other insurer will investigate your claim and confirm who is at fault.
The insurer typically denies fault if you don’t file a police report. If your claim is denied and you lack collision coverage, you can take the insurer to court, which takes time and money. Insurance companies know the longer the case takes, the more likely you will settle.
If you have collision insurance, you can file a claim with either your company or the other driver’s insurer. Filing with your insurance company begins subrogation. Your insurer pays for property damage you caused and pursues compensation from the other driver’s insurer.
Collision insurance doesn’t cover injuries, but your insurer might be able to establish the other driver’s fault through subrogation. If so, the other company might pay for your medical bills and property damage. Your insurer will only pay for your injuries if you carry personal injury protection or medical payments coverage.
Make sure you know what type of coverage you’re carrying before you contact your insurer after an accident. Your insurer is there to help you in case of an accident, but you need to do your part and provide as much information as you can.
Check this out if you need additional information, resources, or guidance on car insurance.
Sources:
What to Do at the Scene of an Accident | iii.org
Should I Call My Insurance Company After a Minor Accident? | wallethub.com
Car Insurance | caranddriver.com
What Does Liability Insurance Cover? | caranddriver.com
How to Deal With Insurance After an Accident | caranddriver.com
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