How to Handle Your Auto Insurance Company

The odds are high that you will be involved in an car accident at some point in your life, if not already. According to the U.S. National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHSTA) there is a one in 366 chance you will be involved in an accident in your lifetime.

The chances are much higher if you live in a major metropolitan area. When you or someone else is injured in an accident, or you must deal with property damage, loss of work, or other complications, the settlement you receive from your insurance company largely depends on how you deal with them.

Know Your Coverage

Don’t wait for an accident to occur. Review your insurance policy now and be sure you are adequately covered. Understand what your policy covers and what it doesn’t. Keep a copy of your insurance card and the business card of your insurance agent in the car at all times.

Document Accident Damage

If you are involved in a collision, and if you are not seriously injured, take photos of the damage to the vehicles, injuries to anyone involved, the scene of the accident and the license plates of the vehicles involved. Of course, not everyone carries a camera, but most cell phones have internal cameras that can do the job. Get the name of the other driver and write down or get a photo of their driver’s license number and the insurance company covering the other vehicle.