A guide to your auto claim in Pennsylvania & Arizona

When you have been in an accident in Pennsylvania or Arizona or your car has been stolen or vandalized, you may not know where to start or what to expect. The call to your insurance agency or claims department to open a claim starts a process that can be confusing. While the details of the claims process may differ from company to company and depending on the type of claim, the basic process is similar for every claim. This guide will get you through the claims maze.

1. Filing A Claim - When you call your insurance agency to file a claim you may be understandably upset, and it can be easy to forget some of the details. Before calling, sit down and write out the details of what happened as best you can recall. If you were able to take photos of the damage to your vehicle, have them on hand to use as a reference.
2. Meeting The Adjuster - Depending on the type of claim and how your insurance company handles claims, you may need to meet with the assigned adjuster to view the damage to your car. There may be more questions at this time regarding the incident, so keep your notes and photographs handy. If there was a police report filed on the incident, the adjuster may wish to go over the details of the report with you.
3. Determining Fault and Value - After the adjuster has seen the damage, spoken with all parties, and reviewed the police report, a decision will be made as to who was at fault in the incident.  At this point, your adjuster will also be working with the adjuster from the other company on behalf of the driver of the other vehicle. If they agree on fault, the claim goes forward. If not, mediation may occur.
4. Closing The Claim - In a straightforward claim, payment will be made, the car repaired, and the claim will be closed. More complicated claims involving bodily injury or multiple drivers may take longer. In most cases, however, the claims process is completed relatively swiftly.

If you have any questions or need additional guidance, one of our agents at OHL Insurance & Financial Services will help you throughout the claims process.