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- Remain calm – this will help you maintain control of the situation and gather necessary information.
- Check for injuries and seek medical attention if needed.
- Turn your hazard lights on.
- If it is safe to do so, move as far from the roadway as far as possible (while remaining at the scene).
- Call the police to report the accident, no matter how minor the accident. Write down the name of the police department and the report number.
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
- Gather information. Write down names, addresses, telephone numbers, and driver’s license numbers from other drivers and witnesses.
- Do not admit fault. Do not discuss the accident with anyone except a company representative or the police.
- Obtain information from the other parties:
- Name, address, driver’s license and phone number of all people involved.
- Vehicle identification information (year, make, and model), and any damage.
- If possible, take pictures of the scene and the damages.
- Insurance carrier and policy number.
- Tow truck company & phone number (if present).
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- You have multiple ways to report a claim. The fastest way to report your claim is online. You can submit your claim on line by Clicking here.
- You can also call our claims department directly.
- (800) 877-0226 (Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Illinois, Indiana)
- (800) 299-5709 (Arizona, California, Washington)
- (866) 424-9514 (Texas)
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- If you are looking to have your vehicle repaired after an accident, it is important that you submit a claim as quickly as possible. Reporting the claim is important particularly when there are multiple vehicles involved or anyone is injured. We are here to protect your interests and help you when involved in a collision. This is important whether you think you are at fault or not. This will allow the claims adjuster to investigate the matter and be able to provide you with the best protection under your policy.
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- The appraisal process can differ depending on the damage to your vehicle. After reporting your claim an adjuster will be assigned to assist you. If your vehicle is drivable, the adjuster will send a text message to you so you can photo document the damage to your vehicle. The adjuster will direct an appraiser to complete an estimate for all visible damage and return an estimate to you. If your vehicle is not drivable, your adjuster will ask you to move the vehicle to a referred local repair facility for a detailed estimate to be completed.
- The decision to have your vehicle repaired and where to have it repaired is entirely up to you. We ask that you provide the company estimate to the repair facility of your choice prior to the start of any repairs. There is no need for you to go to multiple repair facilities and obtain estimates on your own. The repair facility will review the estimate we have completed for your vehicle. In the event they identify additional damage, upon removal of damaged parts, they will contact our appraiser to ensure all accident-related damage is addressed and included on your estimate.
- We will mail payment for covered damaged to you directly. Only when the repairs to your vehicle are completed to your satisfaction should you pay the repair facility. If you are having issues with the facility, contact your adjuster and they will assist resolving problems you face.
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- Depending on your state’s laws, your vehicle will be declared a total loss when the cost of repairs exceeds the value of your vehicle prior to the accident. Your adjuster will complete a market survey to determine the value of your vehicle and present you with that value. We will contact your lien holder (as appropriate) to make arrangements to pay them directly and you will receive the amount remaining after paying off the lien. At the time of settlement, the adjuster will have you complete a bill of sale to transfer vehicle title out of your name and into the company. The company will assume the responsibility to dispose of the damaged vehicle on your behalf.
- In preparation for the settlement of your vehicle you will need:
- Lender information and account number
- If you do not have a lien on the vehicle, locate the title
- Remove all your personal belonging from the vehicle
- Remove the license plate from the vehicle and return it to the local department of motor vehicles
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- We offer rental coverage at the time you purchased your policy. If you chose to purchase that additional coverage, we will pay for the daily rate and coverage maximum limit necessary and available. In the event you do not have this additional coverage, your adjuster can refer to your replacement rental vendors to assist your specific needs.
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- Your adjuster will complete a thorough investigation into what happened in the incident. This will include talking to parties involved, witnesses, review of incident reports and more. They can utilize the physical damage on vehicles and evidence at the scene as necessary. Upon conclusion of their investigation, they will base their decision on the laws of the state where the incident took place.
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- Reporting a claim will not affect the current rate you pay. Depending on the outcome of the investigation for the incident reported, your rate may increase. The best way to understand what the impact to your rate would be is to speak to your local insurance agency partner.