Pre-Claim Checklist

Your level of preparation when filing an accident claim will directly impact how expeditiously your insurer processes the claim. The best preparation begins even before an accident takes place and is supplemented by the collection of information at the scene of the accident. You will also need to do some follow-up research after the accident has occurred to deal with the insurance adjuster and see the claim to completion. Below, you will find a pre-claim checklist that enumerates everything you will need to make a car insurance claim.

• Your insurer’s contact information. Almost all major carriers have a 1-800 number that policyholders can call day or night to initiate an accident claim. This number should be written on your proof-of-insurance card, which you should always carry with you. If your insurer has no such number, make sure you have your agent’s contact information so you can begin the auto insurance claim that way.
• The police report. At the scene of the accident, an officer will provide you with a copy of the associated police report. The report should contain all of the information you need, including a description of what happened, who was at fault, the names of the other drivers, and the license plates of the vehicles involved. Your insurer will likely ask you for information from this report when you file the car insurance claim.
• Other drivers’ information. Ideally, the police report will contain all of the information you need to know about the other drivers involved in the collision. If it doesn’t, however, you will need to collect the information yourself. Find out the names and driver’s license numbers of all parties involved and take note of vehicle license plate numbers. Exchange insurance information with everyone who was involved and make sure you have the contact number for the other drivers’ insurance companies.
• A repair estimate from a body shop. Before you meet with the insurance adjuster, you should have an estimate ready from an approved body shop on the work your car will need. Call your insurer before you do this, as some carriers will only deal with certain body shops.
• A professional appraisal (if necessary). If you believe your car might be totaled, the final part of your auto insurance claim will involve determining the actual cash value of your vehicle so you can be reimbursed for it. Some policyholders choose to have their vehicle appraised prior to meeting with an adjuster so they can judge whether an offer is fair. You also have the option of seeking an independent appraisal after meeting with the adjuster if you feel the settlement is unfair.