If you drive regularly, chances are you’ll eventually have to file an auto insurance claim. Whether someone taps you in a parking lot or rear-ends you at a stoplight, any vehicle damage warrants a call to your insurer. Depending on the circumstances, you may also have grounds for a third-party claim with the liable party’s provider. Regardless of which avenue you take to pursue compensation for damages, though, keep the following tips in mind. 

3 Tips for Filing an Auto Insurance Claim 

1. Call the Police 

Virtually every provider requires official police reports to process auto insurance claims. For this reason, you should always call the local police following any accident, no matter how minor. Even if the damage is slight—or the other party tries to convince you not to involve law enforcement—calling the police to the scene will protect you in the long run. 

2. Record Everything 

Take photos of the wreckage from all angles. In the event of a liability dispute, accident reconstruction experts will review these images to determine what happened in the seconds leading up to the crash. You should also get the names and badge numbers of all responding officers, as well as the contact information of any eyewitnesses. And don't forget to exchange insurance details with the other motorists who were involved. 

3. Be Cautiously Cooperative 

Cooperating with the insurance adjuster, including submitting requested documents and returning calls and emails in a timely fashion, will help streamline the claims process. However, if there’s a lot at stake—perhaps you sustained injuries and are unsure how long it will take to recover—it’s okay to hold off on making any recorded statements until you speak to an attorney about the situation.

In addition to following the above tips, you can avoid headaches during the claims process by purchasing a policy with the help of a knowledgeable agent. To discuss your auto insurance needs with a seasoned professional, contact Steven Hall of Farmers Insurance Group. Based in the Missouri Ozarks, we’ve been serving clients throughout the area since 1928. We offer everything from business and health insurance to homeowner’s and motorcycle insurance. We also assist with Medicare and prescription plans. To request an insurance quote, call (417) 926-7900 or (417) 257-4274, or visit our website to learn more about Farmers Insurance products.