5 Steps to an Auto Insurance Claim
It happened. You were in a fender bender in the grocery store parking lot. What next?
First, you aren’t alone. The car industry estimates that drivers are likely to be involved in at least 3-4 accidents in their lifetime. With the National Safety Council putting the number of yearly accidents (from small parking lot mishaps to multi-car pile-ups) at approximately 10 million, car accidents are not uncommon.
Immediately after the accident, make sure everyone is ok and move to safety. Call an ambulance if there are injuries, call the police and file a report, and exchange insurance information with the other party.
Then, you’re ready to file and follow your auto insurance claim through the steps below.
Step 1. File a Claim. The first step of the claim process is to file your claim. At Preferred Mutual, you can file your claim by calling your Independent Insurance Agent, calling Preferred Mutual directly at 800.333.7642, or submitting your claim via email at claims@preferredmutual.com.
Tip: Know your coverage before you file. Check your policy for specifics, such as do you have collision or comprehensive coverage? (Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your car after an accident involving a collision, while comprehensive coverage pays for covered damages to your insured car, resulting from a peril other than collision, such as theft, windstorms, flood or deer.) Knowing your coverages specifics will help as your claim moves along the process.
Step 2. A Claim Number and Representative Are Assigned. Once your claim is submitted, it is assigned a claim number and representative. At Preferred Mutual, a Claims Representative will contact you within 24 hours of receipt to go over the details of your claim. They will verify information and ask questions about what happened, who was in the car, if there were any passengers, and if anyone was hurt. It is important to answer these questions accurately and to the best of your ability in order to help the claims process move forward. Remember: your Claims Representative is there to help you through the process!
Step 3. The Appraisal and Repair Estimate. You filed your claim, it’s been given a claims number, you’ve heard from the Claims Rep and your collision and/or comprehensive insurance coverage has been verified. At this point, an appraiser is assigned and is sent to inspect the damage and provide an estimate for repair. Preferred Mutual appraisers will reach out to you within 48 hours of receiving their assignment to set up an appointment to inspect your vehicle.
Once the assessment is complete, the appraiser files an appraisal report. Your Claims Representative will go over the report with you, and send a check for the payment of covered damages. The check can be sent to you, you and your auto shop, or you and the lienholder (if you still owe money on your car).
Tip: If you know where you are having your car repaired, it’s a good idea to have your auto shop give an estimate of the damages. Then, your appraiser can review and determine an agreed upon estimate for the cost of the repairs.
Step 4. Watch for Hidden Damages. Sometimes, when the auto shop starts repairs they find additional hidden damages. If this happens, the auto shop should contact your appraiser who will either return to see the vehicle, or request that the auto shop submit invoices and photos if it’s a minor fix. A second check will be issued for the hidden damages.
Step 5. Completion. Your claim is considered complete, or closed, when repairs have been finished and your vehicle has been restored to its pre-loss condition.
This information is intended for educational purposes only and is not legal advice and/or an authoritative guide.