Insurance Tips
Insurance Tips
The following tips are provided for your convenience. Please feel free to print this page and keep it in your car in case you are ever in need of this information.
At the scene of the accident
- Call the police if anyone has been injured or if the combined vehicle damage exceeds $1000.
- Exchange your name, address, insurance company name, policy numbers and drivers license numbers with the other driver.
- If there are witnesses to the accident, obtain their names, telephone numbers and addresses.
- To the best of your ability, write down your description of the accident while it is fresh in your mind.
What to do next
- If the police are not required to attend the scene, it is still a good idea to report the accident.
- Regardless of which driver may be at fault, call your insurance company or agent.
- Your insurance adjuster will request a copy of the accident report, and will also want an estimate on the vehicle damages.
How to get an Estimate
- Your insurance company may assign one of their appraisers to perform the estimate. If the car is driveable, you may take it to the appraiser, otherwise you will need to call a company to have the car towed.
- If you choose to obtain your own estimate and there are significant discrepancies, ask why.
- Your insurance company has the right to inspect the damages to your car.
If you Disagree
- If you and your insurance company disagree about the cost or the scope of the required repairs, a formal arbitration process is open to you. This process is known as “Appraisal”.
Getting Your Vehicle Repaired
- The facility will ask you to sign a work order authorizing the repairs. Make sure it specifically identifies the details outlines in the estimate.
- Your signature means that you are liable for the invoiced costs!
- A thorough walk through of the repairs performed on your vehicle should be conducted and should correspond with the original agreement.
Payment Process
- You are responsible for paying the deductible amount agreed to in your contract.
- The insurance company may elect to pay the repair shop or send a cheque jointly payable to you and the repair facility.
- Once the deductible has been collected, or the insurance company confirms they will be paying it on your behalf, your vehicle is ready for pick up.