Claims
We’re sorry if you’ve suffered an accident or have a claim on your insurance policy. That’s why you have insurance, to protect you when something bad happens. We’ll guide you on every step along the way.
Just call your agents office phone number 24/7 and you will be connected to our highly trained phone service to put you in touch with your agent or the insurance company you are with direct for service.
Should you file this claim?
If there’s a slight chance that someone may have suffered as a result of the accident, then you must file the claim. Otherwise, if you choose not to file it, you won’t have the insurance policy to protect you from lawsuit.
There are, however, situations where it makes sense to not file a claim. Keeping your insurance record clean will probably keep your rates down.
If this is a consideration, read this special report before you make that decision.
I need to file a claim.
As your independent agent, we’ll do our best to make your claim experience a smooth one.
- To begin, please contact the insurance company directly to put them on notice of the claim. We will then be notified of your claim by the insurance company.
- If you have a claim and would like our assistance, we will be happy to speak with you. In most cases, you will need to speak directly with the Insurance Carrier to report the details but we can help to make sure that your claim is processed correctly. Simply contact our nearest office for assistance.
- After your claim is processed, we will follow-up with you to ask about your experience and make sure you were treated well.
If think you’re not being treated fairly, need some help along the way or want to share your positive experience with us, just let us know! We’re always here for you.
How to Make an Insurance Claim Against Another Driver
If you’re not at fault for the damage to your vehicle, you can choose to file your claim with the insurance carrier of the responsible party or with your own auto insurance company thru Insurance Brokers of MN. Although every insurance company is different, the information below may help you decide which option is best for you and understand what to expect and how your Insurance Brokers of MN agent can assist you.
What should you consider when deciding where to file your claim?
You may want to consider out-of-pocket expenses, quality of customer service, choice of vendors, turnaround time and the carrier’s rental car procedures among other factors. For example, if you choose to file your claim with your own auto insurance company, you may be required to pay a deductible and then wait for reimbursement from the other persons insurance carrier. If you file with the other insurance company, you will not be required to pay a deductible. However, you may determine that turnaround time is a more important factor to you.
How do I go about filing a claim with the other insurance company?
If you have the information from the other person involved in the accident, it’s always helpful to contact your Insurance Brokers agent for assistance. You may call his or her insurance agent or insurance company direct to file your claim. Some companies may also offer online claim reporting.
How long will it take for the other insurance company to pay me?
Each company has a different process for managing claims and many states have “Fair Claims Practice Act” guidelines to follow. In general, for less complex incidents where everyone cooperates and there are no concerns about who caused the accident or the damages being claimed, the claim process may not take as long as when there are these concerns.
Do I need to have my vehicle repaired at a place identified by the other insurance company?
No, you do not. Regardless of who pays for your vehicle damages, you have the right to have your vehicle repaired at the repair facility of your choice. If your vehicle is not safe to drive, you should notify the other insurance company as soon as possible so they can begin their claim process.
Will the other insurance company pay for my rental car?
If the other insurance company has accepted responsibility for your damages, they may provide you with a rental vehicle or alternative transportation. Generally, there are guidelines around how long vehicle repairs will take, so please check with the insurance company claims adjustor to determine if there are any requirements they may have prior to you renting a vehicle.
For instance, some companies may want you to drop off your vehicle for repairs after all of the repair parts have arrived at the repair facility and that is when you would receive a rental vehicle.
If your vehicle is not safe to drive, let the other insurance company claims office or adjustor know so they may expedite the inspection of your vehicle. You may also want to let them know as soon as possible if your vehicle was towed to a storage facility. Because storage charges accrue on a daily basis, it may be best to move your vehicle to the repair facility of your choice to avoid any potential delays or additional charges.
What if I don’t agree with the amount the other insurance company offers me for the damages to my vehicle?
If the other insurance company has accepted responsibility for your damages and you have an estimate from a repair facility of your choice, or your vehicle is not repairable and you have done research to understand your vehicle’s value, share that information with the other insurance company as soon as possible. In circumstances where your vehicle is repairable, the other insurance company may negotiate the price of the repair with your shop.
If your vehicle is not repairable and you believe that the vehicle’s value is greater than the settlement offered by the other insurance company, you may attempt to negotiate the amount with them. If you are unable to reach an agreement, there may be resources available to help you, including your Insurance Brokers agent or worse case the state’s department of insurance.