Accident & Auto Insurance Claims Procedures
| Esurance
hopes you’re never involved in an auto accident, but if you are, there
are several things you should do to make the auto insurance claims process
go as smoothly as possible.
Following these tips will make the auto insurance claims
process go more smoothly and help get you back on the road faster. (You
may even want to print these tips and keep them in your glove compartment
should you ever need them.)
- Make sure
everyone’s OK. If anyone’s injured, immediately call medical
help to the scene. (If your injuries are minor, you may still want to
have them checked out at a hospital or with your family doctor. Sometimes
injuries that appear minor are really more serious.)
- Try to remain
calm.
- Do not admit
fault to anyone.
- Seek police
involvement. Police officers are trained to handle traffic accidents.
They will also help determine who’s at fault.
- Allow medical
professionals and/or law enforcement officials to control the accident
scene.
- Discuss the
accident only with the police and your auto insurance company. During
the claims process, if another party to the accident or another auto
insurance company contacts you, do not discuss the accident with them
and do not agree to make a recorded statement. Simply refer any questions
about the accident to your claims representative.
- With the
help of a police officer, gather information from everyone involved
in the accident. Obtain names, addresses, phone numbers, and auto insurance
information from all parties involved. Also, be sure to get contact
information from any witnesses. It’s a good idea to store a pen
and pad of paper in your vehicle. In the event of an accident, you can
record the information your auto insurance company needs to complete
your auto insurance claim more quickly.
- If you have
a camera with you, take photos to document vehicle damage, the intersection
where the accident occurred, skid marks, and any other features of the
accident scene. For this reason, we recommend you carry a disposable
camera in your glove compartment, should you ever need it. Some new
cell phone models have built-in digital cameras that can help document
accidents.
- Report the
incident immediately. Esurance policyholders can report minor accidents
online or by calling Esurance's 24/7 service center.
- As soon as
possible, write down your own detailed recollection of the accident.
Esurance has tools and information to simplify your entire
insurance experience. Visit our Auto Insurance Learning Center for information
about auto insurance and driving safety. Get your
customized report from our interactive, auto insurance planning tool,
Coverage Counselor.
If you’re
looking for affordable, reliable coverage, get your free
auto insurance quote from Esurance today. You could save hundreds
on your auto insurance with us.
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