When you bought car insurance, you probably looked to see if the coverages, limits and deductibles fit your needs. You may have even read the declaration page after your purchase. That notes who it covers, what it covers, your limits and your deductible. You probably checked to make sure it matched what you purchased. You may have had to request a change if it was not. You may have gotten lucky and it was right on the first try.
However, what you probably do not know, is what to do when you need to use your insurance. Here is some information about what comes after a car accident.
What should you do when there is an accident?
If anyone has injuries, call 911. Otherwise, call the police. Get the names, contact information and driver’s license number of the other driver involved. Get their license plate number and VIN for their car. Get the names and contact information of passengers and witnesses who stopped to help you. Take photos of the cars and the scene.
What do you need to avoid?
In general, you need to avoid the following:
- Arguing with other drivers and passengers
- Spilling your story to everyone
- Signing statements of faults or promises to pay
- Signing statements that the other party will pay your deductible
Instead, simply show your driver’s license, contact information, registration and insurance information to the other party and police, then wait for it to come up on the current crash updates as a report.
Sometimes, you may need to take action against an insurance company. Generally, this will involve a lawsuit if they treat you unfairly or make it difficult for you to file a claim.
