Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company is a significant insurer in the United States. One of its primary offerings is auto insurance. If you are involved in a car accident, an auto insurance policy can protect you from costs like medical treatments for injuries, property damage repairs, or vehicle replacement expenses.
You must file an insurance claim to access these benefits after a car accident. This process involves gathering information about the accident, sharing it with a Nationwide representative, and waiting for their investigation to determine fair compensation.
Here’s what you should know about filing an auto insurance claim with Nationwide and how a Chicago auto insurance claim attorney from our team can help.
Types of Nationwide Car Accident Insurance Coverage
Nationwide offers numerous policy options for car insurance.
- Liability protection is available to protect policyholders when they cause an accident and others suffer damages.
- Collision coverage is for property damage to the vehicle regardless of fault.
- Comprehensive coverage addresses damage from unexpected events, such as theft, bad weather, or hitting animals.
- You can also pay for medical payment protection, which pays benefits if your injuries require treatment costs.
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist protections provide coverage if those who cause the accident do not have sufficient insurance.
Policy Limits and Deductibles
Every insurance policy at Nationwide has coverage limits and deductibles. A coverage limit refers to a policy’s maximum payout for a covered loss. A deductible is a flat rate you pay upfront to access the rest of the coverage.
For example, if you have a property damage deductible of $500 and a $20,000 policy limit, you would pay the deductible after your accident and be covered for up to $20,000 in vehicle repair costs.
Gathering Necessary Information
Before you submit your Nationwide claim, you must gather information to support your case. This makes it easier for the individual adjuster to investigate your accident, determine liability, assess damages, and offer a fair settlement.
Accident Details
First, you must share details about the car accident in your claim. This includes the accident’s date, time, and location. Be as detailed and accurate as possible when collecting this information. A description of the accident is necessary to process your claim.
If a police report was created for the accident, obtain a copy for your records and provide it to the claims adjuster. The accident report will serve as vital evidence supporting or refuting your claim.
Vehicle and Driver Information
You’ll need information on every vehicle and driver involved in the accident when you file your Nationwide claim. Names, contact information, and insurance details should be shared at the accident scene. You must also collect accurate vehicle descriptions that include the make, model, year, license plate, and VIN of each car in the wreck.
Witness Information
If anyone witnessed the event, their testimony can support your claim. Obtain contact information from anyone who observed the accident and record a statement. The claims adjuster will likely follow up with the witness, so it’s crucial include their information in your claim submission.
Medical Records and Bills
Proof of damages is crucial for maximum compensation. Gather all medical records and bills related to the injuries you sustained in the car accident. This can include treatment receipts, doctors’ notes, imaging test results, and medical expert testimonies.
Reporting the Claim to Nationwide
Once you have collected all this information about the accident, the other parties, and your injuries, you can report your claim to Nationwide. You should initiate this process as soon as possible to ensure the evidence is fresh and you receive compensation for your losses as quickly as possible.
Multiple Ways to File
Nationwide offers numerous ways to file your car accident claim. You can head to the Nationwide website and complete the online form to do it electronically. If you want to submit your claim over the phone, you can speak with a representative by calling 1-800-421-3535.
If you contact a representative over the phone, you must answer many questions and send supporting documentation after the call. If you have the Nationwide mobile app, you can conveniently submit your claim from your smartphone once you have an account.
What to Expect When Filing
Although initially filing your claim is simple, it is essential to know what to expect. In the early stages, you will have many questions about the accident, contact information, damages, and benefits. You’ll be asked how and when the accident happened, the damage’s extent, what injuries you suffered, and what other vehicles were involved.
Nationwide Auto Insurance Company Claims Process
Once you submit your auto insurance claim, it may take some time to process it fully. You may hear from the claims adjuster with follow-up questions and status updates. Here are the steps that will follow Nationwide receiving your claim.
Claim Investigation
An individual claims adjuster will be assigned to your case. They investigate the accident, review the police report, speak with involved parties, and inspect the damaged vehicle. Based on their investigation, they will determine a fair settlement offer.
Damage Assessment
Nationwide uses numerous methods to assess the damage to your vehicle. They may rely on the photographs or videos you provided if the damage is sufficiently recorded, making an estimation based on those images.
However, they could also conduct an in-person appraisal for a more accurate view of the vehicle damage. The adjuster will request no repairs be made before this appraisal.
Negotiating a Settlement
Finally, the adjuster will determine a fair settlement from Nationwide. Your car crash settlement amount may be impacted by policy limits, deductibles, the extent of your injuries, accident liability, and damage to the vehicle. You may need to negotiate for more compensation if the offer is less than you deserve.
Tips for a Smooth Claims Process
The stress of waiting for your claim to be processed can make your financial losses feel even heavier. Although patience is necessary before receiving your settlement, there are a few strategies to make the process more efficient.
Be Prompt and Prepared
You should report your claim as quickly as possible after the accident. If you delay, the evidence could grow stale, or Nationwide could find an excuse to minimize your damages. When you do submit your claim, provide all the recommended information upfront.
The more data you provide from the beginning, the faster the investigation will be, and you can settle with the insurance company sooner.
Document Everything
Documenting everything after a car accident is a wise practice. This includes information about the accident, your injuries, and your communication with Nationwide representatives. Not only will this information speed up the investigation, but it could support your case if you end up suing Nationwide for unfair delays or rejections.
Consider Legal Representation
You may want to hire legal representation if you suspect issues with how Nationwide is processing your claim. A Chicago auto accident attorney from our team can represent your interests, protect your rights, sue for wrongdoing, and negotiate maximum compensation with the insurance company.
Secure Expert Legal Counsel!
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is a legal team with vast experience in car accident insurance claims. We have helped many policyholders, including Nationwide clients, obtain the compensation they deserve. Whether you suspect your claim is delayed or the initial offer is too low, our experienced lawyers can fight for justice after your car accident.
We offer a free consultation to ensure you make an informed decision about your legal options. Call our Chicago personal injury attorneys today at 888-424-5757 or complete the online form to request your free case review.