We all purchase auto insurance with a prayer on our minds as we shell out for our premiums—Please don’t ever let me cash in on this policy.
Regrettably, a fraction of the population does have to make use of their auto insurance policy and place auto insurance claims.
If you do need to place an auto insurance claim, there are some things you can do to make this procedure more straightforward and efficient for you.
- Call your agent. Agents are there to make this process easier for you. Just one phone call to your agent and you will remove yourself from the picture for much of the paperwork and claims coordination. Your agent will ask you recount the accident (some may even visit the location) or incident involving the claim and file the paperwork for you. This saves time for you and it’s a good way to make sure the paperwork is done properly.
- Call your insurance company. If your agent is unavailable you can call your company’s toll free claims line. A company representative will be on hand to guide you through the process. If you want to be updated with further requirements through your agent, make sure to inform the insurance company so they can put this information in their system.
- Have all information handy. Before you make your claim with the insurance company or your agent, be sure to have all relevant information with you. You should have your policy number, the insurance and contact information of any other person involved in the claim, the details of the event that caused the claim, police reports and pictures. If you were absent when the claim happened, make sure you have all the details about how you found the automobile and the damage.
- Make a duplicate. Make a copy of the claim paperwork and all supporting documents before you present them to the insurance company.
If you suspect that you will not be able to remember certain details applicable to the claim, make sure that you write them down soon after the incident. You can hold on to this paper if there’s a possibility that future questions will arise that you cannot remember the answers to or you can include the statement in your claim.
Call us today at (713) 349-0400 for a free Houston auto insurance quote!