Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Beginners Guide To Submitting An Insurance Claim

By Susan Tanner


Do not feel left out if you have never submitted an insurance claim. It is not one of the easiest things to do. Just like most of us out there, your day will come when you will have to deal with an insurance company regarding a claim. Listed below is a step-by-step guide to help you through your first insurance claim experience.

Before we get started, the best possible thing you could do for yourself before all of this is getting a cheap car insurance quote and by a policy that best suits your needs. This is very important and could save you lots of money.

Now, policy in hand, you may venture out on the roads. Itas a good idea to keep a copy of your insurance companyas telephone number in the glove box with your proof of insurance. Always drive carefully, but proceed with special caution if that policy is too cheap!

You are driving along, happy with your new car and new, cheap insurance policy when all of the sudden you are hit by a car. First thing you want to do is get out and start shouting, because this idiot just hit your new car, but you remember what your insurance agent told you when you got the policya..call the police. The other person is screaming at you to not call the police, you calmly do it anyway. Just like your insurance agent probably told you, it is a lot easier for the claims department if you have a police report.

Say the accident was your fault and you slammed into someone elses new car with your beat up beauty. Of course you didnat mean to, and boy wouldnat it be nice if we just went our separate ways, it doesnat look that bad right? I doubt the other person feels the same and the cops are on their way.

Once the police are on the scene, follow their lead. If one or both of the cars need to be towed or moved out of the roadway, the cops will help you figure things out. Provide the police officers with whatever information they require, which is likely to include a look at your driveras license and proof of insurance.

Once everythingas been cleared up from the scene of the accident, and youare made it home or to another safe place with a telephone, pull out your copy of that cheap car insurance policy and call the number it lists to report a claim. Grab a drink and sit back and enjoy the call-waiting music.

A customer service representative will ask you pretty much all of the same questions the police officer did. Be sure to answer them honestly but carefully. They will probably ask for a copy of the police report which will take a week or two to get. They will be able to help you through the whole process, and explain again the ins and outs of your policy. If you need help finding and adjuster to assess the damage or find a body shop for repairs they should be able to help you with that as well. Now you can sit back and relax, because you have made it through your first claim and are back on the road with a little more knowledge than before.

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