New York State Insurance Claims
Accidents during driving may at times be unavoidable, even for the most cautious driver. US states understand this, which is why it is mandatory for all car-owners to carry proof of auto-insurance with them at all times. It demonstrates your ability to cover cost of damages and potential injuries that may occur if you’re involved in an auto accident.
Knowing how to file auto insurance claims in New York can be useful, and save you the added hassle of figuring it all out after an accident. There are several insurance providers operating in the region, and each of them has a slightly altered version of the same basic approach. If you have been involved in an accident, the first thing to do is share your insurance company’s phone number and your policy number with the other driver. Follow this up with exchanging home addresses and other relevant contact information. Assess the damage to both vehicles, but first ensure that there are no injured passengers either in your car or the other. Call 911 immediately if there are any emergency medical situations or if the other driver makes a run for it. Collect as much information as possible about the other vehicle – manufacturer, model, and license plate number for instance. These are all important facts that you’ll need to report to your insurance agency.
If there is a need to call law enforcement, which might be the case in some areas of the US, do so and file an accident report. Once you have completed these formalities, approach your insurance agency and fill out a claims form, reporting all the facts and the extent of the damages involved. Normally, a representative from the agency will be assigned to your case. This person will go through the accident reports of the police and all other documented information pertinent to the case and help you determine the cost of your damages. They will also determine whose fault the accident was and adjust the cost of coverage accordingly. These are important steps in the smooth processing of auto insurance claims in New York.
Understanding the steps between an accident and a successful claim are important in saving both you and other driver’s time. It also ensures your protection at all times.
