Who Can Make A Claim About A Driving Accident And How To Make One

By Author: Kevin Kuper
Total Articles: 10
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For those individuals who need to make a claim about a traffic accident, the entire process can be stressful. Placing a claim in the proper manner will at least ensure that your claim is processed and considered. If you fail to follow your legal duties, you will not be entitled to receive the potential benefits that you have been insured with through your car insurance cover.

Who Can Make a Claim Regarding a Traffic Accident?

Drivers with valid car insurance coverage can place a claim for a motor vehicle accident as necessary. However, the driver should be operating the vehicle legally with a valid driver's licence. Any drivers who are listed as named drivers on a particular car insurance cover can also place a claim when an accident has occurred. However, the same requirements hold true for named drivers as with the policyholder. No claim will be considered for anyone who is not insured.

Does It Matter How Long the Car Insurance Cover Has Been in Effect?

It does not matter how long an individual has held his insurance cover for his vehicle. The policy can be in effect for ten months, three weeks, ...
... five days, or any number of months, weeks, or days. What matters is that the policy is valid and up to date. As long as the car insurance cover is valid, a claim can be placed with the insurer.

Is the Claim Process Different for the Policyholder and the Named Drivers?

The process for placing a claim is the same no matter who places it. The same steps must be followed and the determination takes place identically for both types of circumstances.

What Duties or Responsibilities Must Occur When Placing a Claim?

Although the responsibilities a driver has when making a claim can vary among insurers and coverage, the following are general responsibilities that must take place:
The driver involved in the accident must share his information, including both contact and insurance information, with anyone involved in the accident, the police, and the insurer.
The driver must report the accident within a certain timeframe to the police and to the insurer.
The driver is expected not to take the blame for the accident.
The driver should take contact information for any witnesses to the accident.

What Should the Claimant Tell the Insurer?

Anyone making a claim concerning a motor accident should inform the insurer as soon as possible. All of the pertinent details should be related and all of the provided information must be accurate. Inaccurate information can nullify the claim before it even gets started. Claimants should follow the specific guidelines that his insurer has in place for reporting accidents and making claims. They should also be prepared to repeat their information or provide evidence if any is available. Of course, it goes without saying that the claimant should have his policy information available when he contacts his insurer.

Intro: Certain procedures must be followed when an accident occurs. Only certain people can place the claim and certain restrictions follow with that as well.

Kevin Kuper is a keen writer about car insurance and home insurance products.