Dealing with your car insurance company after a car crash can be a time-consuming hassle. Now imagine what it's like to deal with the insurance company of the person who crashed into your car. Here are some tips to ensure you maintain your cool — and your sanity — when making a claim with an at-fault person's insurer.
The driver that crashes into your car is responsible for reporting the accident to his or her car insurance company. However, it's a good idea for you to contact their insurer as well. Motorists who cause accidents are often reluctant to report them. So, it is important to obtain the most complete information from the at-fault person at the scene of the accident: insurance company name, claims phone number, address and even the insurance agent's name.
You should then inform the other person's insurer that you have been involved in a crash with one of its policyholders and disclose your property damages or injuries. Also, relay only the facts of the accident, even if you believe the other driver to be at fault. The police will ultimately determine who is at fault and the insurer will make its determination of fault based on the police recommendation, your commentary notwithstanding.
Although you may feel that you have not caused the accident, you should contact your insurance company anyway. This establishes your good-faith accident-reporting effort and can aid you if the other party's insurer denies responsibility for the accident.
Showing posts with label auto accidents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label auto accidents. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
What to do after an auto accident?
Auto Accidents are unexpected and stressful. Even the most careful drivers may be involved.
Prepare the trunk of your car for a possible accident as well by making sure you have a set of cones, warning triangles or emergency flares. Make sure you also have:
•A pen
•A card with relevant medical information for you and your family.
What to do after an auto accident:
1.Stay as calm as possible.
2.Check for injuries. Life and health are more important than damage to vehicles. When in doubt, call an ambulance.
3.If the accident is minor and there are no serious injuries, move cars to a safe place, rather than risk being in moving traffic.
4.Turn on hazard lights. If warranted, and possible, use cones, warning triangles or flares for safety.
5.Call the police, even if the accident is minor.
6.Notify your insurance agent about the accident immediately.
7.Don't sign any document unless it is for the police or your insurance agent
8.Make immediate notes about the accident including the specific damages to all vehicles involved. Use the form below as a guide. If the name on the auto registration and/or insurance policy is different from the name of the driver, establish the relationship and jot it down. Get witness information, if possible, as well.
9.Be polite, but don't tell the other drivers or the police that the accident was your fault, even if you think it was. Likewise, do not accuse the other drivers of being at fault at this time. Everyone is usually shaken up immediately after an accident, and it is wise to state only the facts. Limit your discussion of the accident to the insurance agent and the police. Even if the facts are embarrassing or detrimental to you, be truthful.
10.If you have a camera handy, and it is safe to do so, it may be helpful to photograph the accident scene.
11.If possible, do not leave the accident scene before the police officers and other drivers do.
12.Finally, remember that while getting the facts is very important, investigating the accident should be left to the police officers and the insurance companies.
Prepare the trunk of your car for a possible accident as well by making sure you have a set of cones, warning triangles or emergency flares. Make sure you also have:
•A pen
•A card with relevant medical information for you and your family.
What to do after an auto accident:
1.Stay as calm as possible.
2.Check for injuries. Life and health are more important than damage to vehicles. When in doubt, call an ambulance.
3.If the accident is minor and there are no serious injuries, move cars to a safe place, rather than risk being in moving traffic.
4.Turn on hazard lights. If warranted, and possible, use cones, warning triangles or flares for safety.
5.Call the police, even if the accident is minor.
6.Notify your insurance agent about the accident immediately.
7.Don't sign any document unless it is for the police or your insurance agent
8.Make immediate notes about the accident including the specific damages to all vehicles involved. Use the form below as a guide. If the name on the auto registration and/or insurance policy is different from the name of the driver, establish the relationship and jot it down. Get witness information, if possible, as well.
9.Be polite, but don't tell the other drivers or the police that the accident was your fault, even if you think it was. Likewise, do not accuse the other drivers of being at fault at this time. Everyone is usually shaken up immediately after an accident, and it is wise to state only the facts. Limit your discussion of the accident to the insurance agent and the police. Even if the facts are embarrassing or detrimental to you, be truthful.
10.If you have a camera handy, and it is safe to do so, it may be helpful to photograph the accident scene.
11.If possible, do not leave the accident scene before the police officers and other drivers do.
12.Finally, remember that while getting the facts is very important, investigating the accident should be left to the police officers and the insurance companies.
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