Review Your New York City Car Insurance Policy - Just In Case

If you drive long enough in New York:

The longer you drive in New York, the greater the odds that a fender bender or auto accident of some kind will involve you and the auto insurance company that you deal with in New York, in some unwanted but necessary discussions. While it is hoped that this never happens to you, it’s good to be prepared and to know what to do if the unfortunate event should ever happen. Even if you are the safest driver in New York City, there is always the possibility of a fellow road traveler making a mistake that causes you to realize the usefulness(or deficiency if you have inadequate coverage) of those auto insurance premiums that you’ve been paying all of these years.   

The following common sense list should help prepare you for what we all hope never happens, - The smash up that requires the auto insurance company’s involvement:
 
1.)  The first thing to do is familiarize yourself with your New York auto insurance policy. (Or the policy that you’re insured under from another area.) Take the time to dig up your policy and read it from beginning to end if you haven’t done so recently. Even if you have done so in the past, it’s a good idea to review it from time to time. Now is a good time. If you have any questions after doing this, call your insurance agent or the auto insurance company that you deal with. It may also be wise to include your spouse or next of kin so that they too understand the policy and it’s ramifications.

2.)  Should the dreadful event actually occur, try your best to remain calm. Try to remember that the more upset, angry and emotional you are, the more likely you are to forget an important detail or miss something that your car insurance company requires to process your claim as fast as possible. Try To STAY CALM so that you can think clearly.

3.)  The first thing to do at the scene of the accident if no one is injured, is to call the police and collect important information from the other party. Also, give the other party your details. This exchange of information should include both parties names, addresses, phone numbers, license plate numbers, names of insurance providers, policy numbers, and insurer's phone numbers. Take down the names and badge numbers of police and other emergency personnel present as well. If you are the only one present, you should leave your details in a place where the other party will easily find them. (Under the wiper blades is usually a good place)

4.)  Next, try to gather witness names, addresses, phone numbers, and draw a basic sketch or description of what happened. Top view is good. This doesn’t have to be a masterpiece, but will simply serve to identify how and what happened.

5.)  File an accident report. Instructions on how to do this can be obtained from the sheriff's office or police department, or the Department of Motor Vehicles office, as well on your local Department of MotorVehicle’s website.

6.)  Notify your auto insurance company as soon as possible. Whether you were in the right or in the wrong, you need to let your insurance company know what happened. The information collected at the scene, could be very useful in helping an insurance adjuster figure out what happened and expediting your car insurance claim as quickly as possible.

As was said earlier, we hope you never have to go through this, but if you do, the basics covered in this article should make the process somewhat easier.

There are other considerations to be aware of if this unfortunate event should ever happen to you. Namely, some unobvious injuries take a while to manifest themselves after an accident, and, you should not sign off on your claim until you are satisfied that your automobile and/or property has been reasonably repaired, and your claims of bodily injury have been satisfied. Your policy will outline what you can expect.

This brings us to an obvious conclusion about your auto insurance policy for New York City, New York, and that is to read it through and thoroughly understand the responsibilities that each party has. This will enable you to decide whether you’re underinsured or over insured, and most importantly whether you should do something about it. Right after the accident can be an awful time to find out that you have inadequate auto insurance.