Do you know how to file an insurance claim? Emergencies can happen to anyone and usually rear their heads at the most inopportune moments. So, what do you do when you find yourself in the aftermath of a fender-bender or come home from work to find your basement flooded from a pipe that broke loose? 

These repairs can be costly, but, that’s why you have insurance to help protect you when the unthinkable happens. Depending on what kind of damage, filing an insurance claim may help you relieve some of the financial stress that comes with an unexpected event. Learn more about what exactly is an insurance claim, and the process from the experts at Staples Insurance! 

What Is an Insurance Claim? 

When you file an insurance claim, you’re making a request to your insurance company to receive money. These funds will help you pay for repairs and expenses caused by an event that is covered by your insurance policy. 

When you file a claim, you’ll have to file paperwork, and your insurance company may send an insurance adjuster to examine what happened to make you file the claim. If your claim is approved, you’ll receive a check to cover your losses. 

When do you know if you need to file an insurance claim? Consider the following scenarios when filing a claim is highly suggested: 

1. When You Suffer a “Total Loss” 

If you find yourself in a situation where your car is totaled,  you’re most likely looking at thousands of dollars in damages. Filing a claim would make sense to help alleviate the costs. 

2. If Someone is Injured

If you’re in a car accident and you or the other driver (or passengers) are hurt, you should automatically file a claim. 

3. When Fault is Ambiguous

If there’s confusion over who is to blame for an accident, you should file a claim and let the insurance companies figure it out. 

How to File a Claim

How exactly do you file an insurance claim? Consider the following steps: 

Step 1: Call the Police if Necessary: If a crime was committed, if someone was hurt, or if there was an accident, your first step should be to call 911 and get help. While a police report isn’t necessary to file a claim, it can help to paint the picture of what’s going on. 

Step 2: Document and Exchange Information: Document what you can from the scene of the accident, gather information, take pictures, and be sure that you get the following information: 

1. Name, address, phone number of the other driver. 
2. Insurance policy numbers
3. Year, make, model, and license plate numbers of all vehicles. 
4. Photos from the accident from as many angles as possible. 
5. Detailed notes about conversations and 

If you were hurt in the accident, remember to keep all of your medical bills and reports in a safe space too. 

Step 3: Contact Your Insurance Agency: After you make sure that everyone involved is safe and receiving the care that they need, get in touch with your insurance agent and find out what all you’ll need to file a claim, and the pros and cons of filing for this incident. 

Step 4: File Your Claim: You’ve gathered your information and spoken to the right people, now it’s time to file your claim. Many insurance agencies will allow you to file online, by phone, or by filling out a claims form and sending it via email or fax. 

 

Your insurance agency may send out an adjuster to better understand the scope of the issue and set you up with a check to help pay for the repairs that you need. Do have additional questions on the process of filing an insurance claim? We’re here to help! Speak with the insurance experts at Staples & Associates with any questions that you may have!