Reporting an Auto Insurance Claim

As the summer season arrives and traffic increases on Cape Cod, the risk of a car collision naturally increases. Murray and MacDonald Insurance Services wishes you a safe and enjoyable summer season, but should you need to report an automobile claim, keep some of these tips in mind:

While there is a range of automobile insurance options, some of the more common insurance claims include liability, collision, and comprehensive.

If you are found at fault for a car accident, liability insurance covers the cost of repairing property damaged in the collision, including buildings and vehicles, as well as medical bills that may be associated with the collision.

A collision claim is a car insurance claim in which your car was damaged as a result of a collision, which is not necessarily limited to collisions with other vehicles. Collision claims may include solo car accidents, for example, in a case in which you may have run into a telephone pole or a building.

A comprehensive claim is for any damage or loss to your car that is not a result of a collision. Vandalism and theft are some of the more common incidents that result in a comprehensive claim.

If you've suffered a loss or damage to your vehicle, you should contact your insurance agent. Remember, if you need to contact Murray and MacDonald Insurance Services, we are open from 8:30AM-4:30PM on Monday-Friday, and our phone number is 508-540-2400.

If you wish, you can contact your insurance company directly. You can find a list of insurance companies that Murray and MacDonald Insurance Services does business with here.. Keep in mind that many insurance companies now allow you to submit claims online.

When reporting a collision claim, make sure you have as much of this information as possible:

• Date, time, and location of accident
• Information from the other driver, including name, address, phone number, and driver's license number.
• The current location of your vehicle and whether it is drivable.
• Information regarding other vehicles involved, including make, model, VIN, and license plate number.
• Insurance information from other parties involved, including the carrier and policy number.
• Contact information from any law enforcement agencies or witnesses that were at the scene.
• If possible, take pictures with a disposable camera or a cellphone of the vehicles involved, including pictures of damaged areas and the license plates of the vehicles involved.

When reporting a comprehensive claim, make sure you have as much of this information as possible:

• Details on the loss or damage, including time, date, and location.
• Current mileage of your vehicle and options included with your vehicle in order to determine the current value of your vehicle.
• Current location of your vehicle and whether it is drivable.
• Contact information of the financial institution that financed your vehicle.
• Contact information from any law enforcement agencies or witnesses that were at the scene.
• If necessary, take pictures of the damaged areas of the vehicle.

Have a safe and enjoyable summer, and remember, should you need any assistance or should you need to report a claim, you can contact Murray and MacDonald Insurance Services at 508-540-2400, at murmac@mmisi.com, or by visiting our website at www.mmisi.com.