If you get into a minor car accident in which only you and your property are involved, it may be up to your discretion whether or not you should notify your insurance company. However, if your accident involves another person or their property, it’s always a good idea to notify your insurer regardless of the severity of the accident.
Certain situations also warrant seeking legal council. Learn all you need to know about contacting your car insurance company after an accident, and how a New Jersey car accident lawyer can be important.
What Accidents Warrant Contacting My Insurer?
Insurance companies differ on their individual policy regulations; nevertheless, there are certain situations where you should definitely contact your insurance company as soon as possible to notify them of the accident.
If you get into a car accident, regardless of how minor it is, and there’s a chance that the other party may file a claim against your insurance company, you should notify your insurer as soon as possible of the accident. Similarly, if you get into an accident and believe you may want to file a claim against your own company for compensation for your injuries or property damages, you should notify them immediately.
Finally, if your accident resulted in serious personal injuries to you or anyone else involved in the accident or if the accident caused significant damage to someone’s personal property, your insurance company needs to know about it regardless of who was at fault.
How Soon Should I Contact My Insurance Company?
You should check your policy for specific requirements as to when the insurer requires you to notify them about certain incidents. Many insurers only stipulate that you notify them within a reasonable amount of time, while others require that you contact them within 72 hours of your accident. Either way, if your accident involves any of the factors mentioned previously, you should contact your insurer as soon as you are able.
What Happens When I Notify My Insurer?
When you contact your insurance company to notify them of your accident, it’s important to be as honest and as thorough as possible. Don’t purposefully leave out any details or alter the story in any way. The only exception to this is if you receive a call from another party’s insurer; in this case, it’s best to refrain from giving them too much information about the accident.
When you are dealing with your own insurer, however, answer all of their questions as best as you can, and make sure to provide them with any additional pertinent information. Always note the name of the person you are speaking to and confirm that they will file your information with their claims office. This way, whether you or another party files a claim against your insurer, they already have your statement describing the incident.
If you or another party does file a claim against your insurance company, you need to fully comply with their requests. This will likely involve your insurer investigating your accident, inspecting your vehicle and its damages and requesting permission to access your medical records related to the accident.
Contact a Paterson Car Accident Lawyer
When you get into a car accident and are dealing with insurance claims, it may be in your best interests to consult the expertise of an attorney. An experienced Paterson car accident lawyer from The Law Offices of Peter Davis can help you during this difficult process.