What to Do When You Have an Automobile Claim
In the event you have an accident, review the seven steps below and then call your agent. Alternatively, fill out our first notice e-claim form to begin the process.
We are here to help you and guide you. That is what we do best.
1. Help the injured, call the police or fire department.
If you or your passengers are injured be sure to go to the hospital or to your doctor for evaluation and documentation. Part 2, PIP and Part 5, Medical Payments coverage is for this situation.
2. Protect your auto from further damage, get it off the migratory trails.
If it is not drivable, have it towed to a body shop that you like so that the adjuster can see it right away and meet with the people who will be repairing the car. If it is drivable, contact us right away to get the location of a local drive-in appraisal unit. You will have the appraisal within 5 days of your visit and the check within another 5 days, usually quicker.
3. While you’re doing all this, try to get the name, phone number or both of any witnesses because there will always be conflicting stories.
The statement of an UNRELATED Third Party is your best defense. Someone who was not in your Land Rover! Also, check in with the police at the scene and make sure they understand your version. Sometimes the reports are inaccurate because they were not there when it happened. Make sure they get it right. In the case of conflicting stories the company loss department may have to look at this third report as a tie breaker. If there are no police, get them on the scene to back you up.
4. Get all the information on the other party.
Remember that your Waiver of Deductible for a not-at-fault Collision accident does not kick in unless your insurance company can subrogate against the other party. You must identify the at-fault party fully. DRIVERS name, address, driver’s license number, date of birth; AUTO OWNERS name, address; Auto year, make, model, color, LICENSE PLATE, and INSURANCE COMPANY.
5. Contact us! We are here to help with advice and problem solving expertise.
You can e-mail us a preliminary report by clicking here, or fax us at 781-729-6472. But that is not enough, CALL US. To help you we need to ask you questions and immediate two-way communication via telephone is still the best method. If you or any person seeking payment fail to notify the agent/company promptly, the company may not be required to pay claims for parts 2, 3, 6, or 12 on your policy.
6. Do the Paperwork.
Get an Operators Report of Motor Vehicle Accident from any local police station and fill in the blanks (or click here to open, print or save the PDF version). Find out missing information because the form will be returned to you by the Registry if it is incomplete. Officers at the scene will often give you an on-site quick report or you can ask for a copy of their official report at the end of their work day. You must fill in and sign your own operators report. This report is beneficial because it allows you to draw a diagram of the accident and write YOUR statement.
When there is Physical Damage over $1,000 or ANY Bodily Injury you must BY LAW complete and submit this report to the Registry and the local police within 5 days of the accident.
If your Land Rover is stolen you must report it to the local police and your agent within 24 hours. When there is a theft, Substitute Transportation Coverage is not available until 48 hours after you notify the police and your insurance company. If your Land Rover catches fire, you must report it to the local fire department and you must get a Fire Report (FP33C) from them. Stolen autos and burned autos are very difficult claims and take a long time to resolve. Both types of incidents are subject to investigation by local and state police which take time. Claims payments on unrecovered theft losses require a 30 day waiting period.
Hint: Report the loss immediately. Higher limits of Substitute Transportation come in handy in these situations.
If you have a glass loss, notify us first, then contact a glass company to replace or repair your glass. Glass companies will direct bill the company or the agent for the repair. But we cannot give them any information until we hear from you.
Hint: Buy Comprehensive coverage for free glass replacement.
7. Cooperate with the company.
Cooperate with the company. The company is trying to serve you. Contrary to popular belief, they are a great help to most. They also have the legal right as your representative to request your help in the resolution of a claim. If you receive legal documents regarding your loss you must notify your insurance company. Notify your agent first and they will take it from there.
