When possible, call us or your insurance advisor FIRST to discuss your claim.
Q. I've been in an accident – what now?
A. If possible, start by reporting your claim to US your insurance agent. If not, please call your insurance company. We will need to know:
- When the accident occurred
- Where the accident occurred (be as specific as possible)
- How the accident happened
- What kind of vehicle or vehicles were involved (including the year, make, and model)
- A description of the damage on each vehicle
- The names and contact information of people involved in the accident
- The extent of any injuries to people involved in the accident
- The names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident
- The name of the law enforcement agency that responded and the police report number, if police were contacted
Q. I have damage to my property-what now?
A. If possible, start by reporting your claim to US your insurance agent. If not, please call your insurance company. We will need to know:
- When the incident occurred.
- A general description of what happened.
- The location of the damaged property and what was damaged.
- The condition of the home and if it is still livable.
- If temporary repairs are needed.
- If the fire or police department was contacted, which department responded and any report number. Your contact information and the best time to reach you
Q. Should I file a claim or not?
A. This will be a case by case answer, but a good example of when to NOT file a claim is:
A car accident or claim in general that is just barely over your deductible. It is likely that a $1,500 or even $2,000 claim against a deductible of $1,000, through eventual higher insurance premiums, may quickly turn your claim into a negative financial transaction over the longer period of time. Thinking of your premiums again as an amortization of your claims can help you determine if you should file a claim or not. A claim will stay on your record for a minimum of 3 years regardless of which insurance company you are with and also come up when shopping around in the future.
If you’re unsure whether to file a claim, have coverage questions, or need claim assistance, we are your advocate. Call us at (425)212-3505 first.