If You Have A Car Accident
First of all, stay calm. Remember, our claims team is ready to help you through the entire process.
And the sooner we get the information we need from you, the faster we can start working on your claim.
After you report the claim, it will be assigned to a professional trained and experienced in helping
you get your car and your life back into action as soon as possible. If you have rental auto insurance
coverage, we will help you arrange for substitute transportation if needed. Our claims team will stay
in touch throughout the process to keep you informed and answer any questions you may have.
Collisions
At the accident scene:
Check to make sure no one was injured. If so, request medical assistance immediately.
If possible, leave the vehicles where they came to rest, if this does not disrupt traffic or
cause any inconvenience or dangerous condition. Otherwise, move your vehicle safely off the road.
Call the police immediately, even if the accident appears minor.
Do not argue with the others involved, admit fault or discuss the accident with anyone except
for the police or Response Insurance Company.
Give the other driver the Policy Number Exchange Card from the Accident Action Pack in your
glove compartment (don't forget to fill in your name and policy number).
Gather as much information about the accident as possible. Again, your Accident Action Pack
has an easy-to-follow form that will guide you in obtaining all the right information. If
you can't locate your form:
Write down the names, addresses and phone number of everyone involved. It is very important
to make sure that you observe everyone who was involved and get their names, addresses and
telephone numbers. (
See Insurance Fraud.)
Get the automobile insurance company names and policy numbers of all vehicle owners.
Write down the year, make, model and plate number of all vehicles.
Note the location and extent of all the damage to all vehicles.
Write down the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses.
Note the location of the accident - street names, cross streets, landmarks, route or exit numbers.
For each vehicle, note the direction of travel, road signs or signals, and the number of lanes.
Note the time of day, weather conditions and road conditions.
If a camera is available, photograph the scene from four directions. Also photograph
the damage to each vehicle.
Write a brief description of the accident, and sketch the scene if possible.
As soon as you can - even from the scene if possible - call the Response Insurance
claims department at 1-800-552-3150. Have your policy number, registration, driver's
license and police report information available.
Ask the police officer where and when you can get a copy of the report. Note the badge
number and name of the officer, as well as the report number of the report.
The Claims Process
If you have collision insurance coverage, we will immediately assign a representative to inspect
your damage. Or, if your vehicle can be driven, you can bring it to one of our conveniently
located Direct Repair facilities.
You will be provided with a detailed estimate. If it is not repairable, we will pay you the cash
value. At your request, we will provide you with the name of a repairer who will repair your
vehicle for the amount of our estimate. You will only be responsible for your deductible and,
in some cases, betterment costs.
Emergency Auto Kit Checklist
How You Can Help Prevent Insurance Fraud
Auto Theft
Immediately call the police. Stay at the scene until they arrive.
If you are at a location covered by a private security force, notify them as well.
Have your vehicle registration ready so they can record the vehicle identification
number (VIN) and plate number.
Give the police officer a description of the vehicle, including color, bumper stickers,
markings or damaged areas, and contents of passenger compartment or trunk
Ask the police officer when and how you can get a copy of the report.
If your vehicle was stolen from a parking garage or valet parking area, keep the ticket
stub, and try to get the name of the individual on duty and the name of the insurance
company insuring the facility.
As soon as you can - even from the scene if possible - call the Response Insurance
claims department at 1-800-552-3150. Have your policy number, registration, driver's
license and police report information available. We will need to ask several questions
about the vehicle and the theft, so be prepared to spend about 15 or 20 minutes with us
on the phone.
If you are notified of the vehicle's recovery, do whatever is necessary to get the vehicle
removed from the location and taken to a repair facility.
Notify Response Insurance's claims department of the recovery by calling 1-800-552-3150.
Preventing Auto Theft
Floods
If your vehicle is flooded:
Have it towed to an auto repair facility immediately.
Make sure the facility does the following (depending on the depth to which the vehicle was flooded):
Check the engine and crankcase dip sticks for water.
Check with the dealer before attempting to start. Some vehicle's air bags may deploy after a flood,
causing additional delays and costs in getting the vehicle back on the road.
Hand-crank the engine before trying to start it.
Pull the passenger and trunk floor drain plugs.
Remove all carpets, seats and interior panels.
Remove and clean spare tire and jack.
Check and clean battery terminals.
Clean any debris off radiator, A/C condenser and fan motor.
Leave all doors and windows open.
Store vehicle inside if possible.
As soon as you can - even from the scene if possible - call the Response Insurance claims department
at 1-800-552-3150. Have your policy number, registration and driver's license available.
Protecting Your Vehicle from Flood Damage
