Insurance

How to File an Insurance Claim

How to File an Insurance Claim

Following a car accident, there are multiple steps you should take. Car accident lawyer Hank Stout goes into detail on the steps you should complete after a car collision occurs.

One of these steps is filing a claim with your insurance company. This is a complicating step for most since it involves providing a lot of information and knowing how your auto coverage works.

Each insurance company works differently, but most follow the same process. Read below on how to file a claim and complete the filing process.

1. File a Claim

The first step in the claim filing process is to file the claim. Following a car accident, this should be one of the first things to be done aside from seeking medical treatment. To file, you can do it quickly on an app or call your insurance company. The sooner you file, the quicker the investigation can begin.

When you file a claim, you’ll need to provide the following information, as stated by the Insurance Information Institute:

  • Names, contact, insurance, and vehicle information of those involved in the wreck
  • Location, date, time of day, and weather conditions of where the wreck occurred
  • Photographic evidence of the damage
  • Names and badges of police officers that responded to the 9-1-1 call
  • A copy of the accident report

If you are eligible, you will be able to schedule a damage inspection, repair, and rental. These usually take around 30 minutes.

2. Understand Your Insurance Policy

It’s common after an accident to get caught up in the overwhelming process. This is why it’s essential to understand your policy inside and out. Some of the things you should know are your deductible, your transportation expense coverage (which is used for rental vehicles), the coverage limit, and your claim deadline (they vary depending on the type of claim you’re filing).

3. Working with the Insurance Adjuster

An insurance adjuster will usually show up after an accident. They will check your car, investigate the damage, and provide an initial estimate for repair costs. The adjuster will determine who is at fault in the accident. Since Texas is an at-fault state, this is vital information for your car accident case.

If an insurance company requires you to get a repair cost estimate, the repair shop you go to will more than likely send a report to the insurance company.

4. Car Repairs

As mentioned earlier, your damaged vehicle will then be taken to a repair shop. You can specify if you do or do not want your repaired car parts to be from the original equipment manufacturer rather than “after-market” parts at the repair shop.

As stated before, the insurance company will pay the shop directly via a report, or they will pay you and have you handle the bill.

If your vehicle was damaged beyond repair or totaled, and you have collision coverage, your insurance company will pay the actual cash value of your vehicle minus your deductible. That money will then be put for you to purchase a new vehicle.

File a Claim with a Car Accident Law Firm Today

Filing a claim should be a flawless process. Expert law firms such as Sutliff & Stout have the capability of navigating your claim once it’s filed. Contact the best car accident lawyer you know and get the claims process going today.

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