Seven Steps to Filing Your Car Insurance Claim

Having even a teeny-tiny car accident can be one of life's least enjoyable moments. However, accidents happen, and sooner or later, we all have the experience of meeting one of our fellow road travelers up close and personal. Using the following seven steps to filing your claim will help you get over this speed bump as smoothly as possible.

Step 1: Understand your policy

Before a loss, sit down and carefully read your insurance policy. Call your agent or company if you have any questions about what is or is not covered.

Step 2: Exchange information

If you are involved in an accident, get the other driver's name, address, phone number, insurance carrier, and insurer's phone number. Be prepared to give the same information about yourself to the other driver. You can find insurers' telephone numbers on the proof-of-insurance cards that should be carried on your person when operating a motor vehicle.

Step 3: Identify witnesses

Ask witnesses to the accident for their names and phone numbers in case their account of the accident is needed.

Step 4: File an accident report

Contact local law enforcement officers to have an accident report prepared. If law enforcement is not reachable, accident reports and detailed instructions are available at all police departments, sheriff's offices, your local Department of Motor Vehicles office, and on your local Department of Motor Vehicles' web site.

Step 5: Notify your insurer

Contact your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. An insurance adjuster will review the accident report to determine who caused the accident. If the accident was not your fault, you can have either your insurance company or the at-fault driver's insurance company handle the repair or replacement of your vehicle. If you use the other driver's company, you will not have a claim on your automobile policy and you will not have to pay a deductible.

Step 6: Do not release insurers too early

Do not relieve your insurance company of its responsibility until the damages are settled to your satisfaction. For example, have your insurance company handle the claim if the other party's insurance company questions its policyholder's negligence or offers an unacceptable settlement.

Step 7: Consider these settlement factors

. Bodily injuries: You may be entitled to a monetary settlement for injuries caused by another at fault (liable) party. It can take several days for some injuries to become apparent.

. Damages: The insurance company is responsible to pay for the reasonable cost of repairs to your vehicle. An insurance adjuster will assess the damage. Usually, insurance companies and auto body shops negotiate disagreements about what should be repaired. If you disagree with their conclusions, you have the right to obtain another appraisal at any auto body shop.

. Appraisal clause: Most auto insurance policies include an appraisal clause, which can be used to help settle disputes about physical damage claims between you and your insurance company. (The appraisal clause does not apply for claims you file with the other party's insurance company.) If you cannot reach an agreement with your company, you or your insurer can initiate the appraisal clause. Your appraiser and your insurer's appraiser then select an independent umpire to try to resolve the dispute. Check your policy or ask your agent or insurance company for more information about the appraisal clause.

And that is it. While filing a claim is certainly no fun, following these seven steps will make the process almost as easy as getting free quotes and purchasing your car insurance at http://www.carinsurance.com.

Visit http://www.carinsurance.com For Your Free Quote

Jon Register is a representative of CarInsurance.com. You can visit CarInsurance.com at http://www.carinsurance.com or contact them at 1-877-327-8728.

CarInsurance.com's online insurance marketplace gives an opportunity to consumers and to insurance companies. We offer the ability to shop for car insurance online.

Consumers can receive quotes from many insurance companies, in some states you are able to purchase your insurance instantly, online. You don't have to drive your car to buy car insurance. Buy online...anytime!

In The News:


Google News
Updated : Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:45:55 GMT

Aybar's triple caps Halos' rally over Sox - MLB.com


Canoe.ca
Aybar's triple caps Halos' rally over Sox
MLB.com - 1 hour ago
By Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com ANAHEIM -- Pinch-hitter Erick Aybar hit a three-run triple in the seventh inning, Vladimir Guerrero blasted a solo home run and left-hander Joe Saunders pitched 6 2/3 strong innings to lift the Angels to a 4-2 win over the ...
Aybar's three-run triple sends streaking Halos over BoSox Sports Network
Aybar's bases-clearing triple sparks Angels The Associated Press
Rotoworld.com - Press-Enterprise - Boston Globe - United Press International
all 506 news articles

Publ.Date : Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:52:04 GMT

Growth ahead for more diversified game industry - Reuters


Telegraph.co.uk
Growth ahead for more diversified game industry
Reuters - Jul 18, 2008
By Kiyoshi Takenaka - Analysis LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The video game industry looks set for at least another year or two of strong growth, driven by geographical expansion, a strong hardware lineup and growing pool of casual gamers, ...
Nintendo Wii Tops for Console Sales in June DailyTech
Sony's press conference at E3 was a dazzling hi-tech showcase BBC News
Shacknews - X-bit Labs - New York Times - Wired News
all 1,145 news articles

Publ.Date : Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:07:32 GMT

Panel Finds Misconduct By Fusion Researcher - Washington Post


Los Angeles Times
Panel Finds Misconduct By Fusion Researcher
Washington Post - 18 hours ago
INDIANAPOLIS -- A Purdue University panel has found two instances of misconduct by a researcher who says he produced nuclear fusion in tabletop experiments.
Purdue physicist found guilty of misconduct Los Angeles Times
Details of what Purdue's investigation found Journal and Courier
Chicago Tribune - RedOrbit - Newsweek
all 157 news articles

Publ.Date : Sat, 19 Jul 2008 05:47:31 GMT

What's the best Oscar strategy for Heath Ledger in 'The Dark Knight'? - Los Angeles Times


Times Online
What's the best Oscar strategy for Heath Ledger in 'The Dark Knight'?
Los Angeles Times - 1 hour ago
That's a tricky Oscar question. On one hand you might think Heath Ledger should go supporting because, technically speaking, "The Dark Knight" is a film about Batman.
Heath is where the heart is The Observer
'Dark Knight' sets box office record with $66.4M The Associated Press
YourHub.com - New York Daily News - Chicago Tribune - OpEdNews
all 3,291 news articles

Publ.Date : Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:18:18 GMT

US banks ask SEC to expand stock trade protection - Reuters


Wall Street Journal
US banks ask SEC to expand stock trade protection
Reuters - 7 hours ago
By John Poirier WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An emergency move by US securities regulators this week aimed at curbing manipulative short-selling in some major financial firms should be expanded to all publicly traded banks, or it could erode confidence in ...
SEC Short-Sale Rule Gets Negative Reviews Wall Street Journal
SEC Spares Market Makers From `Naked-Short' Sales Ban (Update1) Bloomberg
Forbes - MarketWatch - Taipei Times - New York Times
all 582 news articles

Publ.Date : Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:02:49 GMT

McCain Co-Chairman, Under Fire, Steps Aside - New York Times


ABC News
McCain Co-Chairman, Under Fire, Steps Aside
New York Times - 9 hours ago
Carolyn Kaster/AP At a town-hall-style meeting Friday on energy, John McCain found himself questioned instead on his wartime positions.
McCain Takes on the 'Cable Monster' and an 'Extreme' Obama Washington Post
Gramm Out as McCain Co-Chair; Obama Reacts FOXNews
The Associated Press - Dallas Morning News - Reuters - Boston Globe
all 947 news articles

Publ.Date : Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:45:59 GMT

Venture Funding Drops for Youngest Companies As Older Ones Suck Up ... - New York Times


Boston Globe
Venture Funding Drops for Youngest Companies As Older Ones Suck Up ...
New York Times - 1 hour ago
By Abha Bhattarai In an ominous sign for Silicon Valley’s entrepreneurial machine, venture capital firms are cutting back on their investments in companies at their earliest stage of development and being forced to provide extra funding for later-stage ...
VC Deals In Charts (Q2 2008)?Exits? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Exits? Washington Post
Venture investments in state total $77.6 million so far in '08 Detroit Free Press
CNET News - The Associated Press - MarketWatch - RTT News
all 195 news articles

Publ.Date : Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:54:52 GMT

RSS For Web Pages
Increase Traffic


PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Insights Into Your Med-Pay Insurance Coverage

While Legal Romantics would like to characterize the trial of... Read More

Who Else Wants to Understand Travel Insurance Policy Language?

Aren't all travel insurance plans basically the same?No. When you... Read More

Business Insurance ? And What You Need To Know

Getting your business up and running is exciting, challenging and... Read More

Cheap Health Insurance - Health Insurance for The Self Employed

If you're self employed, you may think of health insurance... Read More

Are You Overpaying On Your Home Insurance Policy?

For many consumers the cost of daily living is becoming... Read More

Discount Insurance - Get Affordable Coverage For All Your Insurance Needs

Insurance is an important part of our lives. If you... Read More

Medical Insurance Overseas

Thousands of people have work related commitments and in order... Read More

Auto Insurance In Texas

If you are looking for auto insurance in texas, you... Read More

Consequences of Late Insurance Payments

Did you realize that it could cost you more than... Read More

How Do I Calculate How Much Life Insurance I Need?

Life insurance protects you and your family from economic hardship... Read More

Self Employed Health Insurance - Tips For Getting Cheap Health Insurance When Youre Self Employed

If you're self-employed and facing high health insurance bills, there... Read More

Consumer Driven Health Plans [ CDHP ]

Do you know that skyrocketing health care costs have been... Read More

Car and Home Insurance Northern Ireland

Don't skimp on insurance. This probably doesn't sound like a... Read More

How Does Credit History Affect Car Insurance Rates?

Many personal car insurance companies consider your credit information when... Read More

UK House Insurance - The Risk of Under-insurance

For many years in the UK, motor insurance has been... Read More

The Ups and Downs of Temporary Health Insurance

If you're a recent college graduate, or in between jobs,... Read More

Discount Life Insurance Will Give You The Best Protection You Need

There is always a chance that there is a better... Read More

Term Life And Whole Life Insurance

Which type of policy is best for you, term or... Read More

Student Health Insurance - Is It Necessary?

As a young, healthy college student, it might be tempting... Read More

Ever Wondered What An Auto Insurance Claim Adjuster Does?

An auto insurance claim adjuster works for the insurance company... Read More

Health Insurance 101 for Individuals and Families

The changing healthcare and health insurance landscape in the United... Read More

Underwriting Life Insurance For Diabetics and Diabetic Life Insurance Information

Life Insurance Companies differ in their "underwriting philosophy" when it... Read More

Group Term Life Insurance and the Options Available

Group term life insurance is more affordable than individual life... Read More

Should I Buy Rental Car Insurance?

Rental car agencies have a menu of insurance policies they... Read More

Why Would I Need Auto Insurance Specialists?

If you do not understand the way that auto insurance... Read More