How to File an Auto Injury Claim

Most states require each driver to carry auto insurance, while a few allow for other methods of proving financial responsibility in case of an accident. Despite that option, most of us who drive carry some form of auto insurance.  Yet when we have an accident and need the insurance the most, we dread contacting the company, usually because we’re afraid that if nothing else, our auto insurance rates will go up. If you follow certain steps when filing an auto insurance claim, you can make the process easier, and have issues resolved more quickly, at least.

When You Have an Accident

If your chief concern is raising auto insurance rates, carefully consider how much damage has been done in the accident, regardless of who is at fault. If it’s a small amount of damage or an amount that each driver can cover, then it might not even be necessary to contact your auto insurance company.

If the accident is deemed to be the other driver’s fault and/ or the other driver is the one who gets a ticket because of the accident, then his or her insurance should have to cover the damages to your vehicle and the incident should not affect your car insurance rates. You will still need to inform your insurance company of the accident and they will contact the other driver, just as the other driver’s insurance company will likely contact you.

If you were at fault or you received the ticket, whether or not you really believe yourself to be at fault, then your insurance will be expected to cover any damage to the other driver’s vehicle.  If you can pay the costs of repair out of pocket, then there’s also no need to contact your insurance company.

When Your Insurance is Involved

If you’re not sure whether or not to file a claim, you may not want to call your insurance company and ask.  Even simply inquiries can be added to your record and may affect your insurance rates in the future. Decide first if you want to use your insurance or pay out of pocket, and whether the cost of paying out of pocket is worth keeping your insurance rate down.

Filing a Claim

If you’re in an accident and you decide to file an insurance claim or you must file one, then try to get as many witnesses’ names and phone numbers as possible that you can supply to your insurance company to help show that the accident wasn’t your fault.  And as soon as you can after the accident, write everything down.  Be sure to record things like the name of the street, the direction each driver was traveling, and other details. This will keep you from having to remember them over the next few to several months, depending on whether the other driver’s insurance company tries to challenge certain claims. Your insurance company will be your ally in fighting the other driver’s claims, because they don’t want to have to pay anymore than you want to be the responsible party.

• If you need help filing a Personal Injury Claim, click here for a free case review with an Injury Attorney near you to discuss the details of your case. The content of this article is provided for informational purposes only!