For the most part, the car insurance claims process for a damaged vehicle is actually a simple one. The driver will make a claim, an adjustor will come and review the damage, and the insurance company will send a check based on the amount you paid for the repairs.
To make this process seamless and headache free, we provide the 8 steps one should take when they experience an accident and need to file an insurance claim.
The Car Insurance Claim Process:
- Car Accident occurs. After a few expletives, it is time to pick up the phone and dial 911. Get the medical attention if needed, if not, ensure a police officer will be at the scene. You need a police report.
- Exchange license plate numbers, contact information including cell phone numbers and auto insurance information, most likely an insurance identification card, of all the parties involved.
- Look for witnesses who saw the accident and also write down their contact information.
- As mentioned in step one.You need a police report. At times, a police officer may avoid taking a traffic accident report if they believe the damage is under $500. Insist that this report is needed and if they refuse to file a traffic accident report, ask them to write an incident report. It is important to have a written version of what occurred by a credible third party. After a few days, the details of your accident can get a little fuzzy, not to mention, the other parties may change their story.
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible. The Pettineo Insurance Agency Inc. is always available for their clients, providing highly personalized service 24/7.
When you call your agent, have your insurance ID card handy and they will walk you through the claims process. Additionally, in a no-fault state like Florida, you must file your claim with your insurance carrier and not the other party’s insurance.
- At some point in the process, you will get a phone call from the other party’s insurance carrier asking for your version of the story. Make sure you are prepared for this phone call by having something written up with the details of the accident. Most likely the other carrier will be recording your statement and you want to ensure consistency.
- The adjustor arrives, ready to record any damage that occurred. They will calculate an estimate for repairs or what it will take to restore or replace it. The insurance company will follow up with a check.
- The process is finished, however if you think the estimate it too low, you may ask your carrier for a form of arbitration. A form of arbitration is an alternative way to resolve a dispute out of court. This process may take 4 to 6 weeks. Fortunately, you will not have to wait for payment. In most cases, your insurance company will provide the check it original offered, and you will receive additional funds if the dispute is resolved. To learn more about the process of auto arbitration you can visitwww.autoissues.org.
Pettineo Insurance Agency Inc. prides itself on the 30-year history we have with our clients. We provide auto, home, life, health, & business insurance in Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Pompano Beach, Oakland Park, Lighthouse Point, Deerfield Beach, Coral Springs & all of South Florida. We want to give them the best protection they need, with the best carrier suitable for them.
To learn more about filing a claiming and for assistance: www.pettineoinsurance.com.
