After a car accident, concerns about expenses are common. Your insurance policy may cover property damage and injury costs. If the accident was someone else’s fault, the other party’s insurance company may pay the legal damages. After the car accident, you must file a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible to receive compensation.
Progressive is one of the largest insurance providers in the United States, so it handles many car accident claims. If you are a policyholder with Progressive, you should know a few things about filing your car accident claim.
Gathering Necessary Information
A car accident claim requires a lot of information to be processed. The insurance adjuster must thoroughly investigate the accident to determine fair payment. Here are some data points you must provide Progressive after your car accident.
Accident Details
Successful claims often depend on the details you provide to the insurance representative. You should record data regarding the accident’s date, time, and location. You should also include details about how the car accident occurred.
Parties Involved
Anyone who played a role in the car accident could be relevant to your claim. Gather information from the other drivers, passengers, and even eyewitnesses. For each party involved, you should have their name, contact details, and insurance information if necessary.
Police Report
The police report is a critical piece of evidence for your insurance claim. You should ask for a copy of the accident report and provide it to the insurance adjuster during their car accident investigation.
Vehicle Information
Insurance companies also require specific vehicle information. You must tell them the make, model, year, license plate numbers, and VIN for each vehicle involved in the car accident.
Insurance Policy
Find your auto insurance policy documents and refresh your memory on your Progressive policy’s coverage terms to ensure you are on the same page as the insurance company.
Medical Records
Car accidents often lead to injuries, which impact the settlement your insurance company will pay. To record your injuries, collect all medical records and bills related to your car accident for your insurance representative.
Photos and Videos
Acquiring surveillance footage of your collision from a nearby security camera or another driver’s dashcam could make all the difference for your claim. You should also take pictures of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and injuries.
Reporting the Auto Insurance Claim to Progressive
Once you have collected all this information, you can file your car accident claim with Progressive. There are several filing methods and multiple steps to these processes that you should understand.
Multiple Reporting Channels
Many insurance companies provide multiple channels for filing car accident claims. Progressive gives you three options. First, you can call 1-800-776-4737 to speak directly to a claims specialist.
You can also view your policy online and file your claim through the website. Lastly, you can log in and file a claim after downloading the Progressive mobile app.
Claim Number
When you file a car accident claim, take note of your claim number. Keeping this number close at hand will make it easier to look up the status of your claim or reference the case when contacting the insurance company.
Designated Claims Adjuster
Every car accident claim is assigned to a specific adjuster at Progressive. This agent is responsible for investigating the incident, assessing damages, and determining the settlement amount for a car accident. This adjuster will be your contact person throughout the claims process, so record their name and contact information so you can communicate with them.
Providing Information to Progressive
The facts surrounding your car accident will determine if your claim is successful and how much money you will receive from your policy. As such, providing detailed information is essential when filing a claim and answering follow-up questions from the adjuster. Here are some details you will likely share during the claims process.
Detailed Account of the Accident
A clear and accurate description of the accident will help Progressive understand the facts of the collision, including who is at fault, the extent of the damage, locations, other drivers, and dates. The more accurate your account is, the easier it is to obtain compensation for your losses.
Supporting Documentation
Without supporting documents, insurers would have to rely on your word alone. They will lean toward rejecting your claim or making a low offer in that scenario. Provide supporting documentation such as police reports, accident scene photos, witness statements, expert testimonies, and collision footage to strengthen your claim.
Medical Information
Medical information is needed to assess the extent of your injuries and their impact on your life. Medical bills, doctor’s notes, imaging results, authorizations, medications, and other medical information will further support your insurance claim.
Property Damage Assessment
You can also claim damages for losses involving your vehicle. To assess this loss, you will need a property damage assessment that estimates the cost of repairs or a total loss declaration.
Working with the Claims Adjuster
You have to cooperate with the insurance adjuster assigned to your case. Their job is to investigate your accident and assess damages, so clear communication is necessary from both sides. Keep the adjuster informed on any changes or updates to your situation, such as injury complications, treatment changes, or new evidence.
Negotiating a Settlement
Insurance companies often make initial settlement offers that are too low. To get fair compensation, you’ll need to negotiate.
Some effective strategies include declining the first offer, documenting all communications in writing, choosing your words carefully, and dealing in good faith. If you’re unsure about negotiating, consider hiring an experienced attorney to represent your interests.
What to Do if Your Claim is Delayed or Denied?
In some cases, Progressive could deny your claim or delay it.
First, you should follow up with the adjuster or the insurance company and document all correspondence. If that doesn’t work, escalate the matter by contacting a supervisor or manager at Progressive. You can file a complaint with your state insurance commissioner if no solution is found.
If everything fails, you can hire a Chicago auto insurance claim lawyer from our team to help with your delayed or denied claim.
Secure Expert Legal Representation!
Don’t face complex insurance claims alone. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers helps car accident victims secure fair compensation for medical bills and vehicle repairs. Whether your claim was denied or delayed, a Chicago auto accident lawyer will protect your rights.
Contact us today at 888-424-5757 for a free consultation or complete our contact form.