How to Fill Out a Car Accident Insurance Claim Form

While your car insurance rates will likely go up after a car accident insurance claim, the fact is that many drivers have so few accidents that they don't know how to fill out a claim form. Here is how you do it:

Step 1. Obtain the Other Driver's Information

This information must include: Make, Model, Year and Type of car (sedan, coupe, crossover), license plate number (including state) and insurance policy number. It should also include the other driver's name, address, phone number and license number.

Step 2. Write your Version of How the Accident Occurred

Quickly find a piece of paper and write down your version of the accident story, making sure you note any streets, intersections and other landmarks. You must also put down a full description of the accident, including the position of your car and any others involved.

Step 3. Contact the Police if You have any Question or Injuries

In an accident, be sure to contact the police if anyone raises an issue or there are injuries involved. They will also likely fill out an accident report for you. See if you can find anyone who will act as a witness for you if you were the victim in the accident.

Step 4. Obtain the Report Form

Go to your local police station and obtain three copies of the car accident form report, one for the police department, one for the Department of Motor Vehicles and one for your insurance company. Be sure to call your insurance agent to let them know you are filing a car insurance claim.

Step 5. Fill Out the Report Form

This is just a case of following directions. You enter your information first (name, address, phone, insurance company policy number). Then you enter the information of the other driver or drivers involved. Insert the make, model and year of your vehicle and the other vehicles involved, including their insurance information. Then insert the details of the incident including the location, any landmarks or street numbers of intersections, as well as the traffic density at the time of the accident (light, moderate or heavy) and the weather and road conditions. Next, you enter a complete description of the accident on the rear part of the form, as well as showing the positions of the vehicles during the accident in one of the schematics given (for example, if it's a four-way-stop, you are show a picture of an intersection and then you insert the stop signs and show which car went through the intersection first and how the accident occurred. Remember, you are always the driver of Car 1 on your accident form. Check the form over carefully, especially if there is more than your deductible's worth of damage, and if the form is correct, sign and date it.

Step 6. Make Two More Copies

You can Xerox® the form three times once it is filled out, so all of the parties who need to have one get their copy, while you keep the original. You then go to the post office and mail the form.