Tips for Filing a Stress-Free Collision Claim

It can be challenging to keep your composure after an auto accident. There are so many things to deal with and try to collect that it can seem stressful and overwhelming. Eventually, you need to speak to your insurance company and try to sort things out with them. Learn some helpful tips for filing a stress-free collision claim that can hopefully make things easier for you.

Get Physical Evidence

You may have a lot on your mind after an accident, but it’s a good idea to gather as much evidence as possible on your end. Try to take photos of any damage to your car from multiple angles. Get the insurance information and license plate numbers of other vehicles that were in the accident with you. The more information that you have on your file, the more straightforward the whole process will be.

Have Police Report

We don’t recommend trying to file a collision claim with your insurance company before you have the police report. Police reports are detailed written statements from the authorities that explain the information about the accident. A big part of why we recommend collecting your own evidence at the scene is in case the police report has any errors regarding the damage to your vehicle. Many insurance companies can’t do much without a proper report, so you can use the time you spend waiting for the police report to collect other helpful information.

Contact Your Insurance Company

When it finally comes time to contact your insurance company, one tip for filing a stress-free collision claim is to prepare some information in advance. What was the extent of the damage? Do you have an estimate of how much it will cost to fix? You can make the process go a lot more smoothly by giving as much information as possible to your insurance company so that they can review it. Remember to collect information from your insurance company for your records. Get the name and phone extension of your claim agent and write down your case report number for your personal records.

Part of preparing for a collision claim is contacting local body shops and getting estimates for damage repair. If you’re looking for a body shop in Chicago with years of experience and a friendly, professional staff, come see us at River North Collision Repair. We offer a wide range of bodywork options that will have your car looking like it’s fresh off the lot. For any additional questions about our services, don’t hesitate to contact us anytime, and we’d be happy to assist you.