Car wrecks can be scary, irritating, and shocking at minimum. That is why afterwards, most people are a bit bewildered and confused about what to do next. It is completely understandable why you might wonder when to call your insurer about the accident, and you might wonder what the ramifications might be on your auto insurance rates.
Regardless of what you might assume about the ramifications of wrecks on your insurance rates, you should not hesitate to contact your insurer. Delays might mean delays in benefits, and your insurer might prove a valuable source of guidance and information when you need help filing a claim or taking care of many of the other tasks you must complete.
Should I call my insurer from the scene or from my home?
All car accidents are different. Some might occur in parking lots, others on major interstates. The priority is always your safety the safety of others. Therefore, auto insurers are very accommodating when it comes to contacting them after accidents. They understand that you had other things to think about before calling them.
While at times, you might be able to call your insurer from the accident scene, it is usually perfectly fine to call them after things calm down. After all, you might be dealing with the police and seeking medical attention if needed.
However, you still should not wait to call your insurer. Usually, you should contact the insurer as soon as you can, as some policies have statutes of limitations on when you can make claims. Still, these are often considerable periods of time, usually several months at minimum.
What should I do at the accident scene?
Though you might not need to call your insurer from the scene of the accident, there are still vital details you need to collect at the site.
By gathering information, you will be able to collect evidence for your insurer to use in processing your claim. This will help them figure out fault, better understand the circumstances of the accident and figure out how your policy will supply benefits.
Some of the items to be sure to get from the accident scene includes:
- A police report of the accident that documents your statement of what happens.
- Witness statements if necessary.
- The contact information of other drivers and passengers involved in the accident.
- Vehicle make, model, license plate numbers and registration of other involved vehicles.
- The insurance information of other involved parties.
It also helps to take photos of the scene of the accident, which can help the insurer get a better idea of what happened when the accident occurred. If you have the vehicle towed, then also let the insurer know where the car is if they need to send someone to inspect the damage in person. In the end, your insurer is happy to work with you both to settle your damage claim and keep any insurance rate increases within check.