Seven Steps to Filing Your Car Insurance Claim

Having even a teeny-tiny car accident can be one of life's least enjoyable moments. However, accidents happen, and sooner or later, we all have the experience of meeting one of our fellow road travelers up close and personal. Using the following seven steps to filing your claim will help you get over this speed bump as smoothly as possible.

Step 1: Understand your policy

Before a loss, sit down and carefully read your insurance policy. Call your agent or company if you have any questions about what is or is not covered.

Step 2: Exchange information

If you are involved in an accident, get the other driver's name, address, phone number, insurance carrier, and insurer's phone number. Be prepared to give the same information about yourself to the other driver. You can find insurers' telephone numbers on the proof-of-insurance cards that should be carried on your person when operating a motor vehicle.

Step 3: Identify witnesses

Ask witnesses to the accident for their names and phone numbers in case their account of the accident is needed.

Step 4: File an accident report

Contact local law enforcement officers to have an accident report prepared. If law enforcement is not reachable, accident reports and detailed instructions are available at all police departments, sheriff's offices, your local Department of Motor Vehicles office, and on your local Department of Motor Vehicles' web site.

Step 5: Notify your insurer

Contact your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. An insurance adjuster will review the accident report to determine who caused the accident. If the accident was not your fault, you can have either your insurance company or the at-fault driver's insurance company handle the repair or replacement of your vehicle. If you use the other driver's company, you will not have a claim on your automobile policy and you will not have to pay a deductible.

Step 6: Do not release insurers too early

Do not relieve your insurance company of its responsibility until the damages are settled to your satisfaction. For example, have your insurance company handle the claim if the other party's insurance company questions its policyholder's negligence or offers an unacceptable settlement.

Step 7: Consider these settlement factors

. Bodily injuries: You may be entitled to a monetary settlement for injuries caused by another at fault (liable) party. It can take several days for some injuries to become apparent.

. Damages: The insurance company is responsible to pay for the reasonable cost of repairs to your vehicle. An insurance adjuster will assess the damage. Usually, insurance companies and auto body shops negotiate disagreements about what should be repaired. If you disagree with their conclusions, you have the right to obtain another appraisal at any auto body shop.

. Appraisal clause: Most auto insurance policies include an appraisal clause, which can be used to help settle disputes about physical damage claims between you and your insurance company. (The appraisal clause does not apply for claims you file with the other party's insurance company.) If you cannot reach an agreement with your company, you or your insurer can initiate the appraisal clause. Your appraiser and your insurer's appraiser then select an independent umpire to try to resolve the dispute. Check your policy or ask your agent or insurance company for more information about the appraisal clause.

And that is it. While filing a claim is certainly no fun, following these seven steps will make the process almost as easy as getting free quotes and purchasing your car insurance at http://www.carinsurance.com.

Visit http://www.carinsurance.com For Your Free Quote

Jon Register is a representative of CarInsurance.com. You can visit CarInsurance.com at http://www.carinsurance.com or contact them at 1-877-327-8728.

CarInsurance.com's online insurance marketplace gives an opportunity to consumers and to insurance companies. We offer the ability to shop for car insurance online.

Consumers can receive quotes from many insurance companies, in some states you are able to purchase your insurance instantly, online. You don't have to drive your car to buy car insurance. Buy online...anytime!

---

What Does Buildings Insurance Cover?

You will find that your lender will insist that you... Read More

Why Boats Are A Pleasure... But You Still Need Boat Insurance

One of the greatest pleasures that a man can have... Read More

Term Life Insurance and Permanent Life Insurance

Term insurance and permanent insurance are two basic types of... Read More

Choosing Long-Term Care Insurance

A little over sixty percent of the folks who reach... Read More

Insurance For The Self Employed And Those Seeking Health Insurance

First of all, congratulations on deciding to go out and... Read More

Private Medical Insurance- Finding The Right Policy for You

Why Private Medical Insurance Is Becoming So PopularRecent research indicates... Read More

Discount Life Insurance Will Give You The Best Protection You Need

There is always a chance that there is a better... Read More

3 Important Moving Insurance Tips

Because of the many problems that can occur when you... Read More

An Introduction to UK Home Insurance

Unlike motor cover, home insurance is not a legal requirement... Read More

Is Life Insurance Comparison Really Necessary?

When you want to purchase a life insurance policy, you... Read More

Senior Life Settlement-Uses and Applications

In a recent article in the National Underwriter (April, 2005)... Read More

7 Tips Toward Helping You Reduce Your Insurance Costs

Not a year goes by that insurance rates go up.... Read More

How To Negotiate A Settlement With An Insurance Claims Adjuster

You and I. M. Strong, the adjuster from Granite Mountain... Read More

Discount Insurance - Get Affordable Coverage For All Your Insurance Needs

Insurance is an important part of our lives. If you... Read More

Global Warming: Why Consumers and Insurers Are Getting Hot Under the Collar Over Life Insurance.

Global warming may have been lurking on our horizon for... Read More

Discount Auto Insurance

Whether you are looking for car insurance in Canada, the... Read More

Discover the Fortune Hiding in Your Insurance Premiums!

Ever thought about how to save money? Sure you have,... Read More

An Intro To Auto Insurance

Although premiums, policies and prices vary widely, the mandate does... Read More

Home Insurance Rates in Northern Ireland

A recent survey took the most popular type of home... Read More

Risk Retention Groups RRG

In response to a hard insurance market in the mid... Read More

Health Insurance 101 for Individuals and Families

The changing healthcare and health insurance landscape in the United... Read More

Health Insurance Plans - Benefits to Different Plans & Providers

Health insurance plans vary in their coverage and prices. The... Read More

10 Ways to Lower Your Auto Insurance

Nowadays, auto insurance is really expensive. A typical insurance policy... Read More

What Do You Mean My Auto Insurance Policy Doesnt Cover This!!

Auto insurance is an agreement between you and your insurance... Read More

Health Savings Accounts

Most people with health insurance, especially employer paid health insurance,... Read More

About Accidental Death Dismemberment Insurance Quote

We don't hear much about getting an accidental death dismemberment... Read More

Auto Insurance In Texas

If you are looking for auto insurance in texas, you... Read More

Is Purchasing Travel Insurance Smart?

To answer the question "is purchasing travel insurance smart?" let's... Read More

Life Insurance: Why Theres No Need to be a Desperate Housewife

Life insurance looks set to make a comeback in the... Read More

Filing Homeowners Insurance Claim Forms: What Steps to Take

Filing a homeowners insurance claim can be done with ease... Read More

Cheap Health Insurance - Health Insurance for The Self Employed

If you're self employed, you may think of health insurance... Read More

The Surety Bond Domino Effect

I have written many articles about the hard surety bond... Read More

Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes ? Tips For Getting The Lowest Rate

Finding auto insurance quotes online is easy, but finding the... Read More