When To Call Your Insurance Company After A Car Accident
Being involved in a car accident can be one of the scariest things you will ever experience. It is difficult to remember what you need to do to make sure that practical matters are taken care of properly. Calling your insurance company is important, but it is not the first thing to do immediately after the accident. Not all insurance companies have the same rules, so look for more information when you receive a car insurance quote.
First Make Sure No One is Injured
The first thing you should do when you are in a collision is make sure that you and your passengers have not been injured. Get out of the car right away and check on the driver and passengers of the other car as well. If there are no injuries, everyone should move to the side of the road as quickly as possible to avoid being struck by oncoming traffic. If someone is injured in any way, they should remain in their seat and strapped into the car until medical help arrives.
Call the Police
Once you have determined whether or not anyone has been injured, the next thing to do is call the police. No matter how severe or limited the damage is, it is important to make sure that a police officer comes to the scene of the crime so that a report can be filed. Your insurance company will rely heavily on the police report in order to make sure that you get the reimbursement that you deserve.
Exchange Insurance Information with the Other Driver
While you wait for the police to arrive, you should exchange insurance information with the other driver. Make sure you write down the driver's full name, insurance company, policy number, and the make and model of the vehicle. Calling your insurance company will involve all of the information that you exchange. If the other driver is reticent to share insurance information, explain that you would receive the information eventually anyway and it is easier to exchange policy numbers in person.
Call Your Insurance Company
Once you have everyone treated and have discussed what happened with the police, you should contact your insurance agent. The agent will immediately begin a case file for your accident. Everything you tell your agent will go into that file and will help give the insurance company all of the information they need to make a fair settlement for you and the other driver. Your insurance company will contact you at a later time to discuss more details about what you should do next regarding your vehicle repair. A good car insurance quote will include more information about when to call your insurance company.
