Steps to Filing a Long Beach Auto Insurance Claim

LONG BEACH, CA, April 30, 2012 (Press-News.org) According to national statistics, you have a one in four chance of being involved in a car accident in any five-year period. Safe driving and a little luck will hopefully prevent you from becoming a statistic, but if you do get into an accident you may have to file an insurance claim.

But before you ever find yourself involved in an accident it's important that you carefully read and understand your Long Beach auto insurance policy so there will be no surprises when an accident occurs. Once you've been in an accident, you need to know what your insurance policy requires you to do, whether you are covered for the losses, the amount of your deductible, the time limit for filing a claim, and how long it will take to process a claim.

Every insurance claim requires some form of proof of vehicle damage before the Long Beach auto insurance company will make a payment. There are essentially five aspects of proof when making a claim: what you report to the insurance companies, what the other party reports, a police report, witnesses, and damage to the vehicle.

Let's take a closer look at the process from the scene of the accident to the resolution of your Long Beach auto insurance claim. These are the typical steps you will take when you are involved in a car accident:

• Make sure no one is seriously hurt and needs medical attention. Assuming it's a minor accident and there are no serious injuries, the first thing you need to do is exchange as much information as possible. The short amount of time following an accident will likely be the only direct interaction you will have with the other party, so now's the time to write down the other driver's name, address, phone number, license plate number, insurance company, and insurer's phone number. Be meticulous: Sketch the street and/or intersection where the accident occurred and the course each driver was taking when the accident happened. Quick tip: Always keep a pen and notepad in your glove box so you will be prepared to jot down all of this information.

• If possible, get the names and phone numbers of witnesses who will be willing to give an account of what they saw in case their account of the accident can be helpful during the claims process with your Long Beach auto insurance agency.

• The police will prepare an accident report if they arrive on the scene. If the police are not called, take the initiative to file an accident report yourself. This documentation can be a critical piece of evidence when proving your version of events.

• Contact your Long Beach auto insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident and start the claims process. Even if the accident is not your fault, your insurance company needs to know about the incident so it can advise you how to proceed, including all of the information that will be needed to support your claim..

• If the accident was not your fault, you can have either your insurance company or the at-fault driver's insurance company handle the repairs or replacement of your vehicle. If you use the other party's insurance company, you will not have a claim on your Long Beach auto insurance policy and you will not have to pay a deductible.

• Prepare yourself for a call from the other driver's insurance company asking about your version of events. It's a good idea to write down exactly what you will say beforehand so you can be clear and direct and, in the worst case scenario, have a consistent statement in the unlikely event of a lawsuit.

• If the accident is covered under your Long Beach auto insurance policy, the company will send out an adjuster to assess the damage to your car, evaluate the loss, and develop an estimate of the cost for repairs. Once your claim is approved, you may be urged to take your car to a pre-approved auto body shop, but always remember that you ultimately get to decide which shop to fix your vehicle.

Although a car accident is never a pleasant experience and may not be your fault, as long as no one is injured the most important person to trust is your Long Beach auto insurance agent. He or she will look out for your best interests and make sure you receive a fair settlement.

Visit http://www.KellyWilliamsIns.com or call 562.498.8661 for more information about filing auto insurance claims.

Kelly Williams is the president of Kelly Williams Insurance, a boutique, full-service insurance agency specializing in all lines of insurance including auto, home, life, health, and business. Kelly Williams Insurance was founded in 1895 and is based in Long Beach, California. The insurance agency also serves Orange County and Los Angeles County. Visit http://www.KellyWilliamsIns.com or call 562.498.8661 to learn more about the company's personal and business insurance products.