Accident & Auto Insurance Claims Procedures

Esurance hopes you’re never involved in an auto accident, but if you are, there are several things you should do to make the auto insurance claims process go as smoothly as possible.
Following these tips will make the auto insurance claims process go more smoothly and help get you back on the road faster. (You may even want to print these tips and keep them in your glove compartment should you ever need them.)
* Make sure everyone’s OK. If anyone’s injured, immediately call medical help to the scene. (If your injuries are minor, you may still want to have them checked out at a hospital or with your family doctor. Sometimes injuries that appear minor are really more serious.)
* Try to remain calm.
* Do not admit fault to anyone.
* Seek police involvement. Police officers are trained to handle traffic accidents. They will also help determine who’s at fault.
* Allow medical professionals and/or law enforcement officials to control the accident scene.
* Discuss the accident only with the police and your auto insurance company. During the claims process, if another party to the accident or another auto insurance company contacts you, do not discuss the accident with them and do not agree to make a recorded statement. Simply refer any questions about the accident to your claims representative.
* With the help of a police officer, gather information from everyone involved in the accident. Obtain names, addresses, phone numbers, and auto insurance information from all parties involved. Also, be sure to get contact information from any witnesses. It’s a good idea to store a pen and pad of paper in your vehicle. In the event of an accident, you can record the information your auto insurance company needs to complete your auto insurance claim more quickly.
* If you have a camera with you, take photos to document vehicle damage, the intersection where the accident occurred, skid marks, and any other features of the accident scene. For this reason, we recommend you carry a disposable camera in your glove compartment, should you ever need it. Some new cell phone models have built-in digital cameras that can help document accidents.
* Report the incident immediately. Esurance policyholders can report minor accidents online or by calling Esurance's 24/7 service center.
* As soon as possible, write down your own detailed recollection of the accident.
Esurance has tools and information to simplify your entire insurance experience. Visit our Auto Insurance Learning Center for information about auto insurance and driving safety. Get your customized report from our interactive, auto insurance planning tool, Coverage Counselor.