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Auto Insurance Claims: A Brief Guide 
By: Susan Tanner
If you're needing to submit a car insurance claim, you've probably been in an accident recently, and need to get the matter dealt with and your life back in order. It's a stressful time, but the process doesn't have to be something you dread, as long as you follow some basic steps. We're going to take you through those in this article. Most people are not thinking too clearly after an accident, so it's a good idea to keep an accident check list in your wallet, purse, or glove compartment.
Of course, the first thing to do is make sure everyone is safe, and if any medical attention is needed, that this is taken care of immediately. Then, take a few minutes to breathe deeply and put things in perspective. You are alive, the professionals are on their way, and this is a manageable. Because this is a difficult time, it will help to have a list of things to do in your wallet, purse, or glove compartment.
* Write down the make, model, and license plate of every car that stops at the scene of an accident, whether they were actually involved in the incidence or not. Those who were not in the accident may be important witnesses that you will need later.
* Each driver who is actually involved in the incident should provide their name, address, phone number, and their insurance information. Look at their insurance card and copy down all the information on it, especially the company name, policy number, and company phone number.
* If there are witnesses, get their contact information as well, and a brief description of what they say. They may each have a different view, so taking notes about each one's account will help to build a full account of the accident later.
* Write down your own account of the accident, giving as much detail as you can, and working through the events in order, if you can. You can start with the date, time, and where the accident happened. Important details include which lane you were driving in, whether there were any unusual conditions, such as construction or heavy rain, the level of traffic, and so on. Then try to recall the events before, during, and after the accident as accurately and completely as you can.
* It is helpful to have photographs of the vehicles and the scene. You can use a cell phone camera for this, or, if you don't have one, keep a disposable camera in your car. Take pictures of anything that might be relevant; if you're not sure, go ahead and get a picture.
* You should talk to your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident. They will ask you a lot of questions, but their process is very efficient and based on thousands of accident reports, so all you have to do is answer carefully and completely.
* If there are police officers at the scene, they will also have a list of questions for you, and will fill out an incident report, either at the scene or shortly thereafter. You should get a copy of this report, and make sure a copy is sent to your insurance company.
Once the actual incident is over, make sure you follow up on everything your insurance company is doing. The whole claim filing is now often taken care of by phone on by mobile insurance vans. Still, you need to follow up. Calling the insurance company once a week to check wouldn't be a bad idea and, obviously, return any call from them as soon as possible. Finally, check to see whether your cheap auto insurance quote will change because of the claim.
There's no way to completely alleviate the stress of being in an accident, but you can make the process easier if you stay calm and make sure to get all the information and follow all the steps. Take care to get it right, and you'll find your claim process is much faster and easier.
Article Source: http://www.uberarticles.com/articles
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