Requirements in filing Car Insurance Claims:
Liability car insurance is required in 49 out of 50 states for good reason. Even the most cautious drivers can become involved in a car accident. At the scene of an accident, you should check to see if everyone is okay, call the police, and exchange information with any other drivers involved. If you cause a car accident, you must pay for the costs of repairing or replacing damaged property as well as the medical expenses of the other driver and passengers. You could be held liable for tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of dollars in bodily injury and property damage if you do not have car insurance.
Understanding what information you’ll need to provide and how your insurance coverage works when it’s time to file a vehicle insurance claim after an accident is also important. Knowing what to expect will make the claims process go more easily and guarantee that you get the money you need as soon as possible. You should also check with your insurer to see if they require you to report a claim within a specified amount of time.
Keep in mind that the rules and regulations regarding vehicle insurance providers varies by state and so the reporting and claims processes also differ. Even if the exact steps differ, here’s a general overview of what you will need to know when filing a car insurance claims.
Things To Do Before Filing Car Insurance Claims After an Accident
Call 911
If someone has been injured or if you are in a potentially dangerous situation, dial 911 right away. If you’re involved in an accident, come to a complete stop at the location of the accident, or as close as you can without endangering yourself or other drivers. Don’t admit fault or responsibility for an accident – that’s the insurance claims process is for.
Contact Police or Law Enforcement
Contact a law enforcement immediately, to see if it is required to file a police report. In some states, counties, or cities, you will either call 911 or the police only for accidents if there’s major property damage, injuries, or death.
Call a Towing Company
After an accident, you may have two options if you need your vehicle towed:
1. File a Tow Claim with Your Insurance Company
If you’ve been in an accident, depending on the situation your insurance company may be able to assist you with towing to and from repair shops or salvage yards. The expenses could be settled subsequently as part of the accident claim process. In other cases, if you have roadside help” as an add-on coverage type, you may be able to file a claim on the spot, eliminating later paperwork and compensation.
Remember, your roadside assistance towing company may be subject to rules, such as being towed just within a few miles of the accident or to the nearest repair shop beyond that distance.
Always double-check your car insurance coverage and your company’s towing policies.
2. Get Reimbursed if You Call and Paid a Towing Company Yourself
As part of your car insurance and if you have paid your towing company yourself, save the receipt for possible reimbursement afterwards. You may also be entitled for a reimbursement if the other party was found to be at fault.
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How to File a Car Insurance Claim After an Accident?
There are crucial steps you need to follow after your accident when filing a car insurance claim. This steps could help your claims process.
Step 1: Gather and Provide Information About the Accident to Your Insurance Provider
When filing a claim with your insurance company you will need to provide the following information to make your insurance claims easier to process. If you have serious injuries during the accident, the police can help you gather the information you need.
- Anyone involved in the accident should provide their name, contact information, insurance information, and vehicle information.
- Take note of the time of the accident, location, and the weather conditions
- Take photos of the damaged vehicle
- Take note of the names and badge numbers of officers responded to the incident
- Get a copy of the police report of the accident
Step 2: Get In Touch With Your Insurance Company
Make sure you have a copy of your car insurance policy, you may probably get all the information you need on the website of your insurance carrier. To check your coverage and deductibles, you’ll need your insurance number. You can begin filing your claim after you have your insurance in hand or have access to it online.
Filing a Car Insurance Claim Online
If you have your personal insurance agent, you can contact your insurance agent directly and they will assist you in filing a claim with your insurance carrier. You may also contact an insurance company’s claims department if you purchased a policy straight from them. They will have a representative who will guide you through the claim procedure. Once your claim has been entered into the system, a claims adjuster will contact you. Whether you’re working with an agent or doing it yourself, you’ll need the following information:
- Your insurance policy number.
- Name, licensed plate numbers and insurance information of the other party.
- Location and time of accident.
- Did you called the police?
- Any injuries you have or injuries other person involved.
- If your car was towed, where was it towed?
- If there’s a police present, you will need an information such as the name of the police officer present and a copy of police report or case number.
How long after a car accident can you file a claim?
You need to file your claim as quickly as possible. It’s critical to do so because each state has its own rules about how long you have to file a claim. You may not be entitled for reimbursement for damages if you do not submit the claim and accompanying documentation on time. It’s best not to wait because claim deadlines differ depending on your state, your insurance carrier, and the sort of claim you’re filing. Insurance company usually gives 24 hours to inform them of the accident however, in Florida, the statute of limitations for filing a car accident claim is four years from the date of the accident.
Step 3: Cooperate With Your Insurance Claim Adjuster
A claims adjuster is the person assigned by your insurance company to handle your accident. They are in charge of dealing with repair shops, examine your vehicle, review police reports, interview witnesses and other parties involved with the case, collect medical bills, and damage estimates. After gathering information, the adjuster will make an estimated offer for claim settlement. You can request that the adjuster explain the proposal. You can try to negotiate if you believe the repair or medical expenses will exceed the offer.
Can I File a Car Insurance Claim Without a Police Report?
A police report is an important evidence because it contains a written description of the accident. The record is created by a police officer and contains information obtained from conversations with both persons involved in the accident.
When filing a car insurance, here’s what you’ll need to know or gather to deal with the issues that might arise when there’s no police report filed after an accident.
- statements from eyewitness
- statements from the drivers;
- photographs taken at the scene of the accident;
- photographs taken of the damaged vehicle;
- accident’s date, time, and location;
- weather and road conditions where the accident occurred; and
- detailed description of the vehicles involved.
What are the documents required for car accident insurance claim in Florida?
According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Section 316.065, Florida Statutes requires the driver of a vehicle involved in a crash that causes bodily injury, death of a person, or at least $500 in estimated vehicle or property damage, to contact local law enforcement immediately. Otherwise, you can complete a “Driver Report of Traffic Crash (Self Report)” or “Driver Exchange of Information” online or download the form at and submit it to the address on the form.
Requesting the other party’s insurance information Section 324.242(2), Florida Statutes, only allows release of insurance information for a vehicle involved in a crash to:
- A person involved in the crash;
- Their attorney; or
- A representative of the insurer of anyone involved in the crash.
If you need other party’s insurance coverage, you need to complete the following:
- Insurance Request Form,
- You need to get a copy of the complete crash report, front and back. You may also send in a copy of the Driver Report of Traffic Crash (Self Report).
- Mail or fax the Insurance Request Form and the complete crash report or Driver Report of a Traffic Crash (Self Report) to:
Customer Service Correspondence Center
2900 Apalachee Parkway, Room A216, MS 99
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0585
Fax: 850-617-5216
- You need to wait at least ten working days after receipt by the Department for processing.
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