How to file an insurance claim: Everything you need to know

Being in an accident or experiencing one can be a traumatic experience for anyone. Not only will you have memories of the accident, but you are likely to have lost expensive possessions that you cannot replace. Well, insurance claims are the way to go but they can be tricky to get filled out. This article will keep you right when you need to file a claim.

Immediate Action

Nobody expects to be in an accident. That’s why they are called accidents. So, the first steps that need to be taken are the obvious ones. Make sure that nobody is seriously injured, calling the correct emergency services and swapping details of anybody who was involved. Once you are sure that you and those around you are okay, that is when you can begin to think about insurance and the claims process.

Contacting your insurer

The next step is to contact your insurer and let them know you have been in an accident. They will be able to run you through your policy and what you can claim. Something to bear in mind, especially when it comes to repairs, is that insurance companies often have flat rates that they charge before helping you with the cost of repairs, so be sure to factor this cost into your considerations before you file your claim.

Details, Details, Details

One of the first things you are likely to be asked about by your insurer is the details of the accident. Everything from who was involved, the location and time of day, the amount of damage, the weather, the police officers badge numbers to a copy of the accident report. It is important to get as much detail as possible when making your claim.

Estimates for repairs

Before filing your claim, you need to know how much you are claiming for. The best way to do this is to get a professional to look at your possessions whether that be your car or your home to establish the cost of repair. Depending on your insurance, the company isn’t obliged to pay the full amount of the repairs and may only contribute a certain amount. Before you get repairs, you must know what you are covered for.

Repairs

A quick aside should be made here to note that you have the right to ask for your possessions to be replaced exactly as they were. For example, with a car, you can ask for only the parts that the car was built with. This ensures a quality repair, but your insurance may not cover it. However, it is something you should ask.

The Claim

Filing a claim is the easy bit of the entire process, providing that you have followed the above steps. Your insurer should assign you an insurance adjuster who will evaluate the damage and the repair costs making sure that your insurance covers all the damage and should then give you a breakdown of their service. If everything is covered then you should be sorted swiftly.

You will likely want to get the insurance claim sorted as soon as possible and so hopefully these steps will enable you to file a claim without any fear.