Car Auto Insurance Coverage, Quotes and Tips

If You Are in an Accident

Call the police. A police report is able to help if you have an accident or if your car is stolen or damaged by vandals. What appears to be a minor dent could be several hundred dollars’ worth of damage.

Obtain information. Make a note of the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and license number of persons involved and of witnesses. Write down the time, date, location, road conditions, make and year of vehicles involved,
insurance information, apparent damage and injuries, and your version of what happened. Make a diagram of the accident. Your insurance company will require complete information about the account.

Call your agent. Phone your agent promptly, even if you are far from home. Have your policy number ready, plus all license numbers, phone numbers, and other information.

Ask your agent. Find out what documents, forms, and data you’ll need. If you have any questions, your agent will be able to help you in filling out the forms.

Cooperate and answer all questions fully. Your insurer might call you for additional information or ask to examine your damaged vehicle. In order to ascertain the extent of
damage, they have to have access to the vehicle.

Take notes. Whenever you talk with insurance company employees, your agent, lawyers, police, or others, write down the date, times, names, and subjects you talked about. Include all decisions or promises made.

Save receipts. Your auto policy may pay for incidentals such as a car rental or a hotel room if your accident happens out of town. Save copies of all documents you send or receive.