What to do if you have an insurance claim

When possible, call us or your insurance advisor FIRST to discuss your claim.

Q. I’ve been in an accident – what now?

A. If possible, start by reporting your claim to US your insurance agent.  If not, please call your insurance company.  We will need to know:

• When the accident occurred
• Where the accident occurred (be as specific as possible)
• How the accident happened
• What kind of vehicle or vehicles were involved (including the year, make, and model)
• A description of the damage on each vehicle
• The names and contact information of people involved in the accident
• The extent of any injuries to people involved in the accident
• The names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident
• The name of the law enforcement agency that responded and the police report number, if police were contacted

Q. I have damage to my property-what now?

A. If possible, start by reporting your claim to US your insurance agent.  If not, please call your insurance company.  We will need to know:

• When the incident occurred.
• A general description of what happened.
• The location of the damaged property and what was damaged.
• The condition of the home and if it is still livable.
• If temporary repairs are needed.
• If the fire or police department was contacted, which department responded and any report number. Your contact information and the best time to reach you

Q. Should I file a claim or not?

A. This will be a case by case answer, but a good example of when to NOT file a claim is:

A car accident or claim in general that is just barely over your deductible. It is likely that a $1,500 or even $2,000 claim against a deductible of $1,000, through eventual higher insurance premiums, may quickly turn your claim into a negative financial transaction over the longer period of time. Thinking of your premiums again as an amortization of your claims can help you determine if you should file a claim or not.  A claim will stay on your record for a minimum of 3 years regardless of which insurance company you are with and also come up when shopping around in the future.

If you’re unsure whether to file a claim, have coverage questions, or need claim assistance, we are your advocate. Call us at (425)212-3505 first.