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7 Key Steps To Take Following A Car Accident

By K Phillips 


A car accident is always an unnerving experience. Your vehicle may be severely damaged, and you or your passengers might be injured. Given the stress involved, it's easy to forget small details that can affect your ability to receive full reimbursement from your insurance company. With this in mind, we'll take you through the step-by-step 
process of making sure the experience is as smooth and problem-free as possible. Follow these seven steps to ensure you're reimbursed, and able to get your vehicle back on the road following an accident.
Step 1: Make Sure Your Vehicle Isn't A Hazard To Others
If your car is in the middle of the road, or positioned in a way that puts other drivers at risk, try to move it. Not only will this protect others, but you'll minimize further damage to your vehicle. That said, depending on traffic and other circumstances, moving your car may not be possible. Don't attempt it if doing so places you or others in harm's way.
Step 2: Collect All Relevant Details At The Accident Site
If the accident is anything other than a minor fender-bender, report the incident to the police. Remain at the site until an officer arrives. While waiting, collect details about the event, including contact information from other involved drivers. Ideally, you should carry a copy of a Driver Exchange of Information form in your glove compartment. This allows you to fill in pertinent details. If you don't have such a form, the police officer who arrives at the scene can provide one. If you have a camera, take pictures of the scene, including photos of any damage on your car. It's also a good idea to collect contact information from those who witnessed the accident.
Step 3: Review Your Car Insurance Policy
When you arrive home, immediately review your car insurance policy. Most consumers neglect to review their policies, or do so infrequently. Take a look at your coverages, limits, and deductibles. Look for any conditions and exclusions that are relevant to the accident. If there are details that are unclear, take notes so you can ask your insurer for clarification.
Step 4: Contact Your car Insurer And Report The Accident
Call your insurance company after going through your policy, and inform them of the accident. Ask about the claims process, including how repairs are handled and when reimbursement is sent. It's important to file the claim as soon as possible following the event. Doing so removes any perception that you're delaying the process. Moreover, your insurer likely maintains a cut-off date (e.g. a specific number of days) after which you will be ineligible to file the claim.
Step 5: Collect Estimates For The Repair Work
First, ask your insurer whether they maintain a list of repair shops to which they refer policyholders. Many companies prefer to work with select shops because doing so is more efficient. Second, choose two or three shops from which to solicit estimates for the repairs needed to restore your vehicle. Your insurer may require a minimum number of estimates so they can choose the lowest bidder. Lastly, inform your insurance company regarding the estimates as well as the work involved. Ask them to approve one repair shop to which you can take your car.
Step 6: Examine The Repair Work For Approval
Not all mechanics are equally skilled or experienced. For this reason, inspect your car after it has been repaired. Look at the body work; examine the interior; and test your vehicle on the road to make sure you don't hear strange sounds or notice odd behavior. Once you're completely satisfied that your car has been properly restored to its pre-accident condition, ask for an itemized sales receipt. It should list each component replaced and every service performed.
Step 7: File The Necessary Documentation For Reimbursement
After the repairs have been completed, submit your sales receipt from the repair shop, along with any other relevant documentation, to your insurer. Make copies for your records prior to doing so. The amount of time that passes before you receive reimbursement will depend entirely on your insurance company. The claims procedure following a car accident can be easily managed by taking a methodical approach. Pay particular note to the manner in which your insurer treats you during the process. If you're less than satisfied with the experience, it may be time to compare quotes from competing insurance companies.
Kade Phillips has many years of experience in writing useful car insurance tips to help consumers get the best rates on their auto insurance coverage. Currently Kade contributes vast expertise to websites owned and operated by Kanetix which offers one of the best comparison tools available. If you are a Canadian and you wish to do an auto insurance comparison today, then visit Kanetix compare car insurance quotes today.