Car Insurance FAQs: How Does Auto Insurance Work?

You may have read a lot of tips about how to select the best or least expensive auto insurance policy. But you may not know enough about the actual process of making an insurance claim or even how car insurance works. And why would you if you’re a careful driver who has not been in an accident? Here’s what most drivers want to know about what goes on in the background after an accident.

What Do I Do Immediately After My Accident?

Of course, the first steps after being involved in a minor car accident are to make sure everyone is safe, call 911 for police and medical assistance, and get the insurance information from all the other drivers involved.

Next, you’ll want to contact your insurance agent/company and request a tow truck to your chosen auto collision repair shop, if necessary. If you’ve been in a crash in the Kansas City region, dial 1-800-NEW-AGAIN to get a tow to your nearest McCarthy body shop. (Tip: If the airbags were deployed, don’t try to drive your vehicle to the auto body shop! You could cause another accident, which is obviously bad news.)

Once these critical actions are taken, you can get to work filing an insurance claim.

What Paperwork Do I Need to Complete After an Accident?

Call the police to the scene of the accident, so you’ll have a neutral third-party report on the facts. This police report will be the main document you’ll need to get the ball rolling on your auto insurance claim.

You may also need to file a report with the Department of Motor Vehicles, depending on state law, to describe the circumstances of the accident. You will also need to make sure you have contact and insurance details for the other drivers involved in the accident — but this critical information should be listed in the police report.

How Do I File an Auto Insurance Claim?

If you have a personal car insurance agent, you can call that person’s office during business hours. After hours, or for many larger insurance companies, you can call the claims phone number listed on your insurance card and in your policy paperwork. You may also be able to start your claims process via your insurance company’s website or app.

Most claims forms are straightforward and simply require you to fill in facts. It may help to have a copy of the police report, but often that is not available quickly enough to be of much help in initiating your claim. Don’t wait to have any paperwork like the police report in order to start your claim; you want to do this as soon as possible after your accident.

When Should I Expect My Claim to Go Through?

In most cases, a claims adjuster is assigned to your claim within 72 hours. Appraising the claim takes between a couple days and a couple weeks, though it’s usually closer to days unless you decide to dispute the appraisal.

You’ll obviously need to take your vehicle for repairs, depending on the circumstances and your insurance agent’s recommendations. Collision repair is best done by a knowledgeable mechanic trained specifically in repairing a damaged vehicle, like the technicians at our Kansas City auto collision shops.

What if My Insurance Company Wants Me to Use a Specific Auto Body Repair Shop?

Most insurance companies do have preferred auto collision centers that they have used with success in the past. They typically choose these auto body repair shops for their technicians’ ability to do the job inexpensively and in a timely manner. This is one downfall of using an insurance company-recommended auto collision repair center.

If you want to ensure that your repairs are completed on time and done with quality OEM parts, you do have the ability to request your chosen body shop. Just communicate your wishes to your agent. If you let your insurer know before you get an estimate that you wish to work with McCarthy Collision Centers, they can accommodate your request.

How Can I Make the Process Move More Quickly?

Claims and collision repair may take time — rarely is the process complete in a day or two, or even next week. You can improve your odds of getting your claim processed faster by talking to your insurance agent and filing your claim as soon as possible. (Again, don’t wait for the police report in order to start your claim; it will be added when it’s available.)

Remember that you can be honest and thorough with your agent, who is tasked with assisting you no matter who was at fault in the accident. Listen to what your agent asks you to do and move fast to get that done. If an investigator is assigned to your case, cooperate with that person and help him or her with any evidence requested.

Finally, you can be persistent with your adjuster. Don’t call several times a day, but you can check in every couple of days to politely inquire where your claim is in the process.

If you have additional questions about the auto body repair process, you can ask your claims adjuster. But if you’re not getting specific answers to your questions, our Kansas City collision repair shops can assist you. Contact our McCarthy Collision Centers today and we’ll help you walk through the process, either over the phone or at one of our body shops. We offer free estimates and will work on your behalf to ensure your auto insurance claim is taken care of. Stay safe out there!

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