Being a car owner is a wonderful thing. You don’t have to depend on public transport. You can travel all over the country and plan impromptu road trips any time. However, to enjoy all these benefits you must ensure that your car is well-maintained. You must service it from time to time and also purchase car insurance. Your car insurance can come in handy during unforeseen circumstances such as accidents, car theft, and physical damage and so on. When faced with any of these circumstances, you can file a claim. Here is a step-by-step guide for filing a car insurance claim.
Step 1 – Read the procedure: Before you start filling the claim form, you must thoroughly read the entire procedure for filing the claim.
Step 2 – Inform the insurer: Whatever the emergency situation; whether it is an accident or damage to your vehicle, you must inform your insurance provider as early as possible. It is better to notify your insurance company about your situation, irrespective of where you are.
Step 3 – Call customer support: If you are confused or unsure about something, call the help line of the insurance provider. Confirm the necessary documents that you need to submit along with your claim application. Ensure you fill in all the mandatory details and leave no room for error, so that your claim is processed faster.
Step 4 – Submit a proof of loss: If you are filing an insurance claim for the theft of your car, you must also submit a “proof of loss” form along with other necessary documents. A proof of loss document is nothing but a photocopy of the FIR or police complaint filed by you. If you are in an accident and your car is damaged, you should also provide medical bills, repair costs and other expense documents.
Step 5 – Keep a record of all expenses incurred: Ensure you maintain a record of all the expenses incurred in the event of an accident. Ask for physical bills for all expenses incurred and submit them with your claim form.
Step 6 –Keep photocopies: You must keep multiple copies of all the documents and should be able to submit them in case your insurer loses any documents or needs to verify them for reference purposes.
Step 7 – Take pictures of the accident location: Although this is not mandatory, taking pictures of the accident location and the damage endured by you and your vehicle can come in handy. You can submit these photographs as proof of the incident along with your claim form.
Step 8 – Help the insurance representative: Sometimes, your car insurance provider sends their representative to the accident spot so that he can verify your account, before you file the insurance claim. Assist the representative in completing all the formalities so that your claim is processed in a timely manner.
Although the procedure for filing the claim is quite easy, you must ensure you follow the proper procedure so that you claim is not rejected.
