Know What Insurance Companies Need After an Accident

Being in a car accident—any accident big or small—is scary and upsetting. After you’ve made sure everyone involved is safe and contacted the authorities, take a few deep breaths to clear you head before calling your insurance company.

It’s in your own best interest to cooperate with your insurance company and it’s the law in most states that you contact your insurance carrier within a few days of any accident. When you call to report an accident, keep to the facts, if there are damages to your car, if you are seeking medical treatment and when you will be available to answer questions at a later date.

Since all insurance companies are different, be sure to consult your policy for “conditions” or “duties after loss” to find out exactly what you are required to provide. You can be prepared by printing out an accident checklist and keeping it in your glove compartment just in case.

Most insurance companies will contact you within a couple of days after you report the accident and request additional information that may include:

  • When and where the accident took place
  • How the accident happened (just factual details)
  • What vehicles were involved and how each was damaged (let them know if you took pictures of the damage)
  • Contact information for all those involved in the accident and anyone who was injured
  • Names and contact information for any witnesses
  • The name and department of the responding police officer

Your insurer may ask you for a sworn statement about the accident and may also want information about any medical expenses and an appraisal of car repair bills.

If you don’t already have an attorney, you can search on the Internet using a term like “car accident lawyer Chicago” to find information about locating a reputable accident lawyer.

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Save Pennies on Gas

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 1: The sign...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

When gas prices rise, most drivers feel helpless. We all need gas to keep our cars running—it’s not one of those things we can’t exactly choose to go without this week. But what if we could have a say in how much money we wanted to save at the pump?

Instead of dreaming of an electric car, let’s be realistic:

  • Gas prices tend to go up a few cents on the weekends. To maximize the pennies you can save, only buy gas on Wednesday or Thursday. Stay away from gas stations found along major highways since these will be more expensive. Also avoid stations that are so far out of the way that their cost goes up due to a longer delivery. Check sites or use phone apps that allow you to find the cheapest gas in your area. If it’s out of your way, ask yourself if you’ll really be saving by burning the extra gas to get there.
  • Lose weight. Maybe not the weight you’ve put on, although losing that may help, but the extra weight you’re carrying around in the trunk means your car is burning more fuel. You should also limit your driving and plan errands accordingly.
  • Turn off your engine while you’re sitting in the drive-thru. It’s a myth that your car burns more gas upon restarting than if you simply turned it off.
  • Keep your car maintained. A healthy car will run more efficiently and offer better mileage.

Remember to fill your tank up completely instead of wasting trips to the station for mini-fills. The money you save will start to add up sooner than you think.

 

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