What to Document When You Are In an Auto Accident

First and foremost, when it comes to having car accidents, DON'T!

But since over 50% of drivers will use their auto insurance in any given 3-year period, obviously someone will have an accident. If this happens to you, be sure you do the right thing and gather the right information.

If you are in an accident, after you DO call the police, there is a whole list of DON'Ts that should be on your mind. Even if the other car is parked, NEVER admit fault at the scene. You can describe, in detail, to any official who asks, exactly what happened, but do not admit guilt. There are times when you might feel you are at fault, but your auto insurance company has some pretty clear guidelines to follow. If you admit fault, you just might jeopardize your coverage.

The second thing you DON'T do is give personal information to anyone except the officer at the scene or a paramedic. The officer will give the other party the information they need about your auto insurance without you giving someone your address.

If you are on private property and no one seems to be hurt, exchange as little information as possible, such as your auto insurance company's claims number, and perhaps a business phone at which you can be reached. You really don't want them visiting your home or calling at midnight if they're really mad, do you?

A camera is an excellent investment to document your auto insurance claim. If the car doesn't get too hot, carry a disposable. Sometimes the glove box will be cool enough to keep it fresh. If you hit the right rear of a car, your auto insurance adjuster will not want to pay for the right front, too.

Take pictures of the scene, the other driver, any damage you might have caused, AND any damage the other car had before the wreck. Don't forget to take a snapshot of their license plate, too. These bits of information will be valuable to you and your auto insurance company. And, don't forget to get a copy of the police report for your own records.

What information will your auto insurance company want from you? When it happened, Where it happened, Who it happened to, Who saw it happen, What happened, and How it might have occurred. If you forget the list, go back to the game 'CLUE'. It asks the same questions as your auto insurance representative. And, remember that many times people feel OK after an accident, until the adrenalin wears off. Then they start hurting. NEVER assume no one was hurt. That includes you.

The only time you can have too much information about an auto accident is when the other guy's attorney shows up in court with it! Remember that if you don't report an accident to your auto insurance company, the other guy probably will, and HIS version becomes the official one. Remember to always keep your best interests in mind.