- After an accident, contact your insurance company or agent and inform them of the incident as soon as possible. If the accident is not your fault, you may want to contact the other party's insurance company as well, but inform them only of your intent to file a claim with your insurance company. Most insurance companies have a separate claims department that will gather the facts of the incident and open a claim. When a claim is filed, a claims examiner will investigate the circumstances. Once the investigation is complete, the claim will be closed and you will be paid for damages to your vehicle or compensated for injuries.
- Ongoing communication with your claims adjuster is necessary to process your insurance claim. Be prepared to answer specific questions about the events of your accident. For instance, your insurance company will want to know if a police report was filed, if anyone went to the hospital, if you are seeking medical treatment, or if either driver was ticketed. An appointment will be scheduled to meet with an adjuster to assess the extent your vehicle's damage. If your vehicle is inoperable, the adjuster will travel to wherever your vehicle is located.
- A claim is closed when all matters regarding the claim have been settled. In some cases, the process can take years because of complex issues surrounding the accident. If you are receiving treatment for injuries resulting from the accident, the claim will not be closed until your treatment is complete. Medical bills must be added up and used as a part of the settlement process.
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