Prioritize immediate safety, follow local reporting requirements, preserve factual records and track insurer and repair follow-up.
Check for injuries and immediate hazards. Call local emergency services for injury, danger or urgent assistance, and follow dispatcher instructions. Move a drivable vehicle out of traffic only when safe and permitted. Choose a safe position based on the scene rather than a blanket stay-in-or-exit rule.
Exchange information required locally and record the time, place, vehicles, witnesses and any responding agency’s report reference. Photograph or describe relevant damage and conditions only when safe. Keep statements factual and cooperate with the appropriate responders.
Follow local reporting duties and contact the insurer promptly using verified contact details. Ask what documents, deadlines and cooperation are required. Record the claim reference, handler, submitted information and the next action.
Obtain and retain appropriate repair assessments and receipts. Ask the insurer to explain applicable coverage, deductibles, limits and any rental terms. Follow medical advice and seek appropriate care for symptoms; do not rely on a fixed waiting period in a planning checklist.
Reconcile written decisions, payments, repairs and remaining expenses. Ask for explanations of unclear items and consult the relevant insurance department or qualified adviser when needed. Keep the final record and update vehicle service information after completed work.
Keep a non-sensitive timeline and references to securely stored evidence. · Track the claim timeline, required actions and written correspondence references. · Keep an expense and document index with open repair or coverage questions. · Keep the final reconciliation, document locations and unresolved follow-up items.
Use only the clearly hypothetical deductible arithmetic after coverage assumptions are stated.
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NAIC advises prioritizing injuries and moving a drivable vehicle out of traffic only when it can be done safely, then collecting relevant factual information.
The policy, facts and jurisdiction determine coverage and required process. Obtain the insurer’s written explanations rather than assuming a payout from a calculator.
Keep correspondence and ask for a written explanation; the state insurance department can assist with insurance-process questions.
Record what was observed without inventing a fault or coverage decision.
A clear list of dates and stored records helps follow-up without duplicating sensitive files in a general note.