4 Tips To Expedite Your Auto Accident Insurance Claim

Posted on: 17 July 2020

Being involved in a car accident can be bad enough--but waiting for your auto insurance company to pay out your claim when you need money to cover car repairs, medical bills, or other expenses can really add to your stress. Car insurance claims can take some time to process and payout, but there are some steps you may be able to take to expedite things on your end.

File a Police Report, Where Needed

Having an official report of what happened can help your insurance adjuster complete your claim more quickly, so if you're in an accident, make sure to file an official report with the local police department or state highway patrol. As long as the accident occurred on public property, you should be able to file a report and obtain a copy to provide to your insurance agent. The report does not have to make a determination as to who is at-fault in the accident; an objective assessment from a third-party is usually enough.

Get Statements From Witnesses

If there were any witnesses to your accident, you might want to ask them to provide a statement to the police or to follow up with your insurance adjuster. If you're able to pull them aside after the accident and obtain their basic contact information, this can be a great way to get some additional information to your adjuster that can speed up your payout.

Contact Your Agent ASAP

Don't put off contacting your auto insurance agent after an accident. As soon as you're safely able to do so, you should be calling to report that you were in an accident so that your agent can get the ball rolling with your claim and review your specific coverage. Of course, you may not be able to call and report your accident right away if you need medical attention--but you should make it a priority once you're able to.

Keep Thorough Documentation

Last but not least, make sure to keep detailed documentation of the accident and have it ready at your adjuster's request. Photos of the accident scene, copies of police reports, medical bills, and estimates for repairs should all be filed away.

Waiting for your car insurance company to process an accident claim may seem like a long process, but by taking the right steps, you can have your claim handled by an experienced adjuster as soon as possible. From there, you can get the money you need to pay your medical bills, car repair bills, or related expenses as per your policy. 

Learn more from a company like Illinois Insurance Center Inc today. 

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