What questions will I be asked when I
call to make an auto insurance claim?
You will typically be asked for the following:
- Your name, phone number and policy number
- The date and approximate time that the incident
occurred
- Where the incident occurred
- The description of the other car(s) involved, if
any
- The name of the other driver(s) involved, if any
- The reporting police agency and report number (if
applicable)
- Any injuries, witnesses, passengers (if applicable)
How does my deductible apply to the
claim payment?
The claim payment amount is the total repair cost
or the actual cash value, less your deductible. If another party
involved in the accident is at fault, the Recovery unit will
make all efforts to have the at-fault party reimburse the entire amount
of repairs, including the deductible.
What can I expect if my auto is a total
loss?
Provided you have collision coverage on your car, we will ask
your permission to move the car to a salvage yard to stop storage
charges that may be accumulating. You will need to remove all personal
belongings and license plates from the car and leave the keys with the
vehicle. Your representative will gather all the information
needed to establish the value of your car, then discuss the results with
you. You should locate the vehicle title and, if a lien exists on the
car, you should know the name, address, phone number and account number
of the lien holder.
If my auto is financed, will that affect
the payment of my claim?
It will not affect the amount of the payment; however, usually, if the
amount of the claim is greater than $500, the lien holder’s name will be
included on the settlement check.
Who handles my claim and how can I get
in touch with them?
Your claim will be handled by a claim representative,
and if necessary, assisted by an appraiser. If you have any questions,
you can contact your representative directly which will be assigned to
you at the time of your claim. Click on your company's logo above
for more details on the claims department contact information. Once your claim is filed, it will be assigned
a claim number. Whenever you call with questions about your claim,
having your claim number available will speed up the process.
Will making a claim have an impact on my
premium or coverage availability?
It is difficult to say, since individual premiums depend on a
variety of factors. Some of those factors include repair costs in your
state, the overall claims experience in your state, the type of
automobile you drive, how far you drive to work, etc. Your individual
claim history is only one factor.
How do I report a new claim?
The first thing you should do is immediately contact your auto insurance
company's claims department which you can look up by clicking on your
auto insurance company's logo above. The claim staff will assist you with any questions
you may have and make the necessary arrangements to get you back on the
road.
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