Some perils tend to be desperate enough to affect your vehicle, regardless of how vigilant you are at the wheels. As a result, your car ends up with scratches, dents, or minor issues that are easy to overlook. At times, you might not even think of taking the matter to the police or your automobile insurer.
Even if the damage is apparently minor, your car calls for professional attention. What if a major problem goes undetected just after the accident and comes back to haunt you after a month?
Even if you face a minor car accident, it’s imperative to deal with the matter seriously.
You might consult reputed insurance brokers like Surex to know whether or not to file your claim besides getting affordable policies.
What should you do following a minor car accident?
A car accident might be an overwhelming event. However, here are a few things you must keep in mind following a minor accident.
- Check for injuries
First, check whether any of the passengers or drivers suffered injuries. Injuries can be severe, even in the case of a minor car accident. Also, you might not find superficial injuries or bleeding all the time. Internal injuries can be serious, particularly if you happen to bang your head. Once you know there’s no injury, proceed to legal proceedings.
- Check for damages
While inspecting your vehicle for damage, look beyond the dents or scratches in your car. Do you see smoke or smell gasoline around your car? Is there any fluid leak under the vehicle? Also, if the car deploys its airbags, you might find some dust in the air. Don’t take it for smoke, and let the dust settle down after a while.
- Remain calm and composed
Following an accident, you would habitually be angry or shocked. Try to retain your composure, as panic-stricken drivers tend to make wrong decisions. Take care of the legalities and wait for the police to arrive. Apologize and don’t blame the other driver for the accident. If the damage is minor, you can work towards a personal settlement deal.
- Exchange contact details
Talk to the other driver and collect their phone number, address, name, and other contact details. It would also be wise to collect information about the car insurance policy or at least know the insurer. Take a picture of the accident site along with the vehicle’s number plate. Also, take a picture of the insurance documents of the other driver. Often, hasty notes include mistakes, which might complicate things when you file your claim.
- Call the police
While the accident remains fresh, it’s wise to prepare a police report. In Canada, it’s mandatory to inform the police if the combined damage for both vehicles exceeds $2,000. So, if it’s just a scratch or dent, you need not take the matter to the police.
However, if you want to file a claim later on, your insurer might ask you to furnish a police report. This report serves as concrete evidence of what happened during the accident. If the other driver cooks up a new narrative and accuses you later, this report can come to your rescue.
What shouldn’t you do after a minor car accident?
It is easy to be swayed by the chaos following an accident. However, here are a few things you must not do.
- Don’t block the road
Regardless of the intensity of the accident, try to leave an adequate passage for other vehicles on the road. Safely park your car at the side, which mitigates the risks of other crashes involving other vehicles. Use the lights to warn other vehicles around your car about the accident.
- Don’t forget to inform your insurer
Even if it is not your fault and you don’t intend to file a claim, it’s your responsibility to intimidate your insurer about the incident. The reason is, filing your claim late often leads to rejections. If you don’t detect any immediate damage and refrain from informing your insurer, it might backfire.
Maybe, you find that the engine starts making a strange noise a few days after the accident. Over time, the problem aggravates, and you end up with an expensive repair. If you inform your insurer early, you will have more chances to get your claim even if you file the request later.
You might fear a spike in your auto insurance premium if you inform your insurer. However, in case of minor accidents, if the damage is less than $2,000, your insurer won’t increase your premiums.
Is it worth filing an insurance claim after a minor accident?
While wondering what to do after a minor car accident, many drivers face a dilemma over whether or not to claim insurance benefits.
Before you proceed to the claim process, make sure to evaluate the extent of the damage. Consult an automotive mechanic to get a clear idea of internal damages. If you feel the repair expenses would be the same as your deductible or even lower, it’s wise not to file your claim. This would portray you as a high-risk customer to the insurer, who might increase your premiums.
If you aren’t at fault, you may consider getting the damage covered under the other driver’s insurance. This would keep your record with the insurer spotless.
Coming to injuries, check whether all of your passengers and you are fine. If someone sustains an injury, you have the option of filing a claim for personal injury. Remember, some injuries might be internal, and you end up detecting them much later.
So, if you have personal injury protection coverage, you may consider filing a claim to cover the medical bills. In case the other driver is at fault, and you sustain injuries, file a claim for bodily injury with their insurance company.
Endnote
Whether or not to file a claim immediately or later, follow the right guidelines after facing an accident. Don’t worry about paying higher premiums if you do file a claim. Reputed insurance brokers will help you find affordable policies and keep the premiums lower.
Once you consult these professionals, you can obtain multiple quotes from the top insurance companies. The brokers will guide you in choosing the right insurance policy and assist you while filing your claim. You can remain on the economic end with the right approach to minor accidents.