If you’ve been in an accident in which you caused minor damage to another car, it can be a confusing experience. We’ve had many customers who have been through this and often their number one question is, “What do I do now?” Of course no one intends to damage another car, so when it does happen it can feel embarrassing, frustrating—you name it. But try not to worry, because I’m going to guide you through all the steps you’ll need to take in order to put this behind you as quickly as possible.
Step #1: Exchange insurance information.
No matter how minor the accident is, be sure to exchange both contact and insurance information. This includes their name, phone number, address, insurance company, policy number, license plate number, and the year, make, and model of their vehicle.
Step #2: File a police report.
It is a good idea to contact the police even if the accident is minor. Often, the police will encourage you to exchange information on your own when the situation isn’t serious or they can tell you where you may be able to file a report online. Most car insurance companies won’t require a police report for a minor accident, but you’ll be able to let them know that you attempted to obtain one.
Step #3: Take photos of the damage.
Luckily, many of us carry smart phones with us, so this is an opportunity to use the camera feature to carefully document the accident. It is important that you take photos from various angles of the damage, as well as photos of the entire vehicle. Doing this can prevent you from having to repair damage that you didn’t cause.
Step #4: Call your insurance company.
As soon as you can, call your insurance company and let them know exactly what happened. As the one at fault for the accident, your car insurance liability coverage—the coverage you’re required to buy—will pay for the other driver’s repairs. If the accident also caused damage to your vehicle, check to see what repairs your insurance will cover.
Step #5: Call reliable auto body shops for estimates.
If you suffered damage to your vehicle during the accident, it’s a good idea to call at least three reputable body shops in Harford County for estimates.
Bring your car into Bel Air Autobody and we can repair your damage quickly and easily. Even if it’s just a ding in your car door, our technicians can employ Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) as a low-cost solution for you. Our techs are GM-certified, which means that they have received the best training to repair and paint your vehicle. We also provide a written lifetime warranty on the work we do, no matter how major or minor the repairs are!
{{cta(’30dba66b-2c49-41dc-8389-93ea25615978′)}}