Guide to Insurance Claims

If you are making an insurance claim, make sure that you have all the details that you collected at the scene of the accident (find out what you'll need here ...) and contact the claims department.

• Put in a claim as soon as possible, while all the details are fresh in your mind.
• If you have an Accident Report and are not sure of the other persons Insurance Company, the police will be able to identify the company from the Insurance Code.
• Send all your correspondence to the insurance company via Certified mail and Return Receipt Requested to make absolutely sure that your claim is received. You should also make copies of everything for yourself.
• If the Insurance Company sends you forms to complete, amke sure that you do it in a timely manner.
• Keep well documented records of your discussions with the insurance company, amking sure that you write down the name of everyone that you speak with. Include the dates and times that your calls and attempted calls were made.
• Once you have let them know all the details, they may arrange to send an appraiser to inspect your car, so that they can decide how much it will cost to repair it, or whether it should be written off. Any repair work will often be paid for directly by the insurance company and carried out by a body shop chosen by them. However, you will have to pay the excess amount dictated by your policy.