Car accidents can be incredibly stressful and scary. Add to that the additional challenge of having to report a car insurance claim and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. We don’t want an already bad situation to get worse for you. That’s why we’re here to help you learn what to do and what not to do at the scene of an accident to make the car accident insurance claim process go as smoothly as possible.

THE DO’S

Do understand your coverage

We’re going to start with a bit of homework for you (sorry)! First, just think about everything that could happen in a car accident. You, your passenger(s), a pedestrian, or another driver could be injured. The vehicles involved could have some serious damage, too. And, you could even cause damage to someone else’s property – like a house or a storefront. It’s a lot, right? This is why you should review your auto insurance policy at least once a year, so if you do have to file a claim you know you have the right coverage to get you (and others involved) back to good.

Pay special attention to these coverages:

• Liability. Be sure to have a high enough liability limit ($1 million is the minimum recommended, but $2 million is best). It’s hugely important, as it covers medical and legal costs if you injure another person in an auto accident. This very same coverage protects you if you’ve damaged another person’s property.
• Accident benefits. If you’re hurt, the good news is that accident benefits are automatically included to help ease the financial burden if you’re injured and can’t work or require special medical attention, like rehab and after care (and so much more!). If you live in Ontario, you have the option to purchase additional accident benefits, which increase the maximum limits for your policy.
• Collision. This optional and highly recommended coverage pays for damage to your vehicle as a result of a collision with another object or another vehicle. Without it, if you’re at-fault in an accident you’ll have to pay out of pocket to fix (or replace) your car.

Do take photos of the damage/incident

As long as the accident scene is safe and people aren’t hurt, start taking pictures of any damage and save them to your cloud immediately. Don’t move anything and take wide shots to capture the positions from all angles of the vehicles involved, as well as close-ups of dings, scratches, and large-scale damage. These photos will be useful for your claims adjuster when they’re doing their investigation and will speed up the process for you!

What do claims adjusters do, exactly? In a nutshell, they help you navigate insurance claims from the very start of the process through to the end stages, where payment negotiation and settlement take place.

Do record the details of the accident

Just like taking photos, documenting the other details of the accident will help you and your claims adjuster settle the claim more quickly. Again, as long as it’s safe to do so, take note of the following:

• How it happened
• Time, date and location
• The speed you were going
• Weather and road conditions
• Insurance info for everyone involved (driver’s licences, plate numbers, insurance companies, insurance broker details)
• Exchange contact info (names, addresses, phone numbers) with all drivers, as well as passengers and witnesses to the accident

Heads up! If the other driver involved in an accident is at fault but they’re underinsured, you’ll need extra protection to cover your expenses where their insurance won’t. Make sure you have Family Protection coverage on your insurance policy to cover the full cost of your medical bills if you or your family are injured in a situation like this.

Do report the accident to your insurer as soon as possible
Wondering when to file an auto insurance claim? The answer is right away if you can, or as soon as it’s safely possible. If it’s not an emergency, try to call within 24 hours of the accident. Keep in mind that there is a car insurance claim time limit. You usually have up to 7 days to report a claim.

Fast reporting will also speed up the claims process for you. In fact, some minor claims can be settled within a couple of weeks. Accidents where there’s more serious damage, or injuries, will take more time – more reason to get your claim started quickly. And, just talking to a claims representative will provide you with peace of mind about what to expect if you’re unsure of how claims work.

Do know how to recognize car insurance fraud
Some fraudsters take advantage of innocent drivers to get insurance payouts from staged collisions. If you’ve been in a car accident with another vehicle and something doesn’t seem quite right about the situation, trust your gut. Learn how to spot the signs of car insurance fraud so you don’t get taken advantage of.

THE DON’TS

Don’t delay getting medical attention
Safety always comes first. If you’re in a car accident where you or other people are injured, seek medical attention immediately – even if you think the injuries aren’t serious. Your car can wait!

Don’t voluntarily assume fault or responsibility
Even if you believe you caused the car accident, don’t assume fault for it. And, don’t promise to pay for damages – you could get yourself into a tight spot legally if you do. Try to keep a cool head, and know that your claims adjuster will be there to help you after reporting the accident. They have the expertise to assess the situation properly, and it’s their job to determine fault using the provincial fault determination rules (here are Ontario’s, if you’re curious).

Don’t negotiate with the other driver
What if the other driver involved in the accident tries to settle up by paying you cash instead of going through insurance? It may seem like the easy way out. But, it could botch the claims process and put you in a bad position, especially if the damage is more serious (and more costly to repair). Always play it safe and call your insurer when you’ve been in an accident with another vehicle.

Heads up! Some provinces do have rules for minor accidents where you don’t need to report it to insurance if the damage is under $2000, and the at-fault party can pay for it if they’d like.

Don’t feel pressured to use the first tow truck that arrives on scene
You have rights when it comes to towing your car. With tow truck scams on the rise, you need to be careful of who you allow to tow your vehicle and where they’re taking it. If you need a tow after a car accident, don’t feel obligated to use the services of the first tow truck that arrives on the scene. You can contact your preferred towing company, or use one that’s been vetted by your insurer. If you do decide to use an unauthorized tow truck, ensure the paperwork you sign indicates that it's being towed to the location of your choice. Never sign a blank work order.

With all the commotion and anxiety going on at the time of an accident, it’s hard to think about next steps when it comes to insurance. Now that you’ve gone over our do’s and don’ts, you have the tools in place to help you with your claim.