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If you own and drive an automobile then a necessary component of ownership is keeping a car accident insurance policy in place. An automobile insurance policy essentially does two things: It protects your property (your car) in the event that you either have an accident or your car is stolen or damaged in some other way such as by a fire or flood. The second thing that your policy does is compensate for someone else's property that you damage.
The part of your car accident insurance policy that covers your property is called collision coverage. When you set up your policy you choose a deductible which is your share to pay as part of a claim. The typical deductible is $500, but it can be as little as $50 or as much as $1000.
Liability is what covers damage that you cause to someone else's property. Most states require you to maintain liability coverage as a minimum car accident insurance policy.
In the unfortunate event that you are involved in an accident, it is critically important for you to obtain as much information about the other driver and vehicle as possible. If you have a camera, take pictures of the vehicles and of the scene. this is especially important if you believe that there may be any question about who is at fault.
Even if the police do not come to the scene (which is very common for a minor accident) you will need to file a police report. The insurance company will need to receive a copy of this report when you file your claim. Be sure to save any photographs that you take. Some insurance companies have the means to allow you to upload the images directly to your claim file.
If you are injured in the accident then seek medical attention as soon as possible. Keep all of your receipts for any future reimbursement. If you are injured, you may or may not want to seek legal counsel, but always talk to your insurance company first.
It's important that you file your claim with your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident. This is usually done over the phone although for minor incidents some insurance companies allow you to file a claim online. Be prepared to answer a host of questions when you call in your claim. It could take twenty minutes or longer so don't call from the scene of the accident while so many other things are going on.
Once your claim is filed, the insurance company will set up an inspection with an auto damage adjuster who will inspect the vehicle and write an estimate for the repair. If your vehicle is drivable, the insurance company may set up an appointment for you to bring your car to an inspection facility.
Shopping for car accident insurance has never been easier. Spend a little time online and you can receive quotes from direct providers such as GEICO and Progressive. Of course if you have a relationship with an agent, you can always go to them to receive a price quote in person.
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