Even the most careful drivers with the most sparkling records get into an accident at some point. About 1 in 4 of all drivers will experience an auto accident within the next 5 years. What will you do if it happens to you? Do you know what information you will need to make a claim? Below is some important information you should acquire.
Other Driver Info - You must get all contact information from the other driver, no matter who was at fault in the accident. Always get the following:
- Name
- Phone Contact (must)
- Address (if possible)
- Name and Phone of Insurance Company
- Insurance Policy Number’
Other Car Info - Always write down a short description of the other vehicle(s) in an accident. Your claims adjuster will ask for this information. Get the following:
- Make
- Model
- Year
- Color
- Damage description
Cross Streets - Make a note of where the accident occurred. The more information you can provide to an insurance claim adjuster, the better. Get the street name, nearest cross streets, and draw a small map of the accident if you think about it.
Photos - With the invention of cell phone cameras, you have a way to photo-document the accident right after it occurred. With your phone cam, or any other camera handy, take a few photos of the accident, including close-ups of the damage, and wider shots of all cars involved.
Name and Contact of Witnesses - If your accident was witnessed by others, try to get their names and phone numbers. Their testimony may be important when police or insurance claim adjusters are trying to determine fault and what exactly happened.
Unattended Vehicles - If you happen to damage a parked vehicle leave your contact information for the owner. Write down your name, phone, insurance company and policy number, and leave it under the windshield wiper with a note to contact you. In the meantime,
All the above information is important to have after an accident. It might be wise to create a little checklist with the above information and keep it in your glove compartment or somewhere you can access it after an accident. Remember, the more information you gather the easier your auto insurance claim will be.
