This article offers friendly tips on how to get the ball rolling with the auto insurance claim process. Once you have a claim number call us at 515.26.8419 and we’ll help you get your car fixed!
This article is not legal advice
If you have been in an accident and need legal advice please consult your favorite attorney ASAP to avoid claims or legal issues.
Take Photos and Videos
If you’ve been in a car accident, take photos of the accident, the more photos the better. Take photos or videos of both vehicles, the area, and anything else you’ll need to explain to file your claim. The more you document the less pushback you’ll get on your claim. Take photos of their insurance card front and back. Keep any photos of the vehicle before the accident on hand.
Get the other vehicle’s license plate, make, model, and year.
You can ask for their registration or get this information directly from them. Make sure to share your vehicle information with them.
Exchange Insurance Information
Take a photo or write down the front and back information on their card, and hand them yours to do the same.
Exchange Vehicle Information
Exchange the make, model, year, VIN, and color of the vehicles involved in the accident.
Exchange Names and Phone Numbers
You do not need to involve your personal addresses for safety reasons. Get the proper spelling of their name.
Go directly to the at-fault party’s Insurance
If you’ve been in an accident you can go directly to the at-fault party’s insurance and submit a claim.
How to submit a car accident claim.
Call the number on their at-fault party’s insurance card. You’ll need to submit a report on what happened.
To File a Claim You’ll Need
- The Who, What, Where, When, Why
- Your License Number
- Both Party’s Name and Contact Info
- Both Vehicles Make, Model, Vin, Year
- Possibly your Insurance Card
- Photos or Videos are in case something goes wrong, these can be set aside for later.
When to file an auto insurance claim with both insurance companies
Overall with insurance companies less is more, you don’t want to drive up your rates or involve them unless it’s necessary. Below are some reasons to involve your insurance company.
If things go wrong with the at-fault party’s insurance, report it to your insurance.
If you are not at fault you do not need to report an accident to your insurance provider unless you’d like their assistance in pushing the claim through on your behalf. What does that mean?
When the at-fault party’s insurance is refusing to cover damages, or their client has changed the story this could make it difficult to process a repairs claim.
Do you Need a Police Report for an Auto Insurance Claim?
You don’t need a police report to file an insurance claim in most accidents. However, you will need it for legal reasons, such as injury or disagreement, etc. To work with us or a trusted auto body and auto repair shop, you only need a claim number to get the repair process rolling. When you have concerns about whether to involve the police contact your attorney.
Injury resulting from the car accident, file a police report
If you or someone has been injured you should get a police report to document the injury for legal purposes.
Disagreement on the Auto Insurance Claim, file a police report
When there is disagreement about who is at fault, file a police report. The police will document both sides and in some situations can determine if there has been a traffic violation. For example: If the officer determines a traffic violation it can aid in the claims process and settle the dispute.
False Information, file a Police Report
In rare situations, you could be given false information. First, contact them to verify the information. When that fails, file a police report.
https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/iowa-hit-and-run/
I Have an Auto Insurance Claim Number Now What?
Perfect. Once you have a claim number bring your car to Truman’s and we will start the process directly with the insurance company.
Have Truman’s Automotive & ADAS Calibrations deal with Insurance for You.
If you’re not excited about the headache of sending quotes and calling auto shops for help, don’t worry that’s where we step in. As a trusted Des Moines Auto Repair Shop we work with insurance companies regularly to get claims approved and cars fixed so our customers can get back on the road. Contact us page.