Jane Dotson
If you've been in an accident and need to report it to Erie Insurance, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it's important to stay calm and take a deep breath. Call 911 if there are any injuries, extensive damage, or you need emergency assistance. You should also contact the police to create an official report of the accident, which will be useful for insurance purposes. It is recommended to only discuss accident details with the police or an Erie representative. Take notes, photos, and videos of the scene, including contact information for all involved parties and witnesses. You can then start the claims process by contacting your local Erie agent or calling their 24/7 claims team directly. Keep in mind that Erie, like other insurance companies, may try to pay out as little as possible, so it's important to seek legal advice if necessary to ensure a fair settlement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Contact | Call your local Erie agent or Erie's 24/7 claims team at (800) 367-3743 |
| Police report | Call 911 or the police to report the accident and obtain a copy of the police report |
| Information to document | Date, time, and location of the accident; contact information, full names, and insurance details of other drivers and passengers; type, color, model, and license plate numbers of other vehicles involved; names and badge numbers of responding officers; description of what happened; photos/videos of the scene and involved vehicles |
| Vehicle issues | If the vehicle is not drivable, Erie's 24/7 customer care team can arrange a tow or rental vehicle |
| Preferred method of contact | Phone, email, or text messaging |
| Adjuster involvement | An adjuster will review the details of the accident and your auto insurance coverage; provide them with relevant information, such as medical records, repair estimates, and communication records |
| Additional support | Erie offers emergency roadside service for issues like flat tires, dead batteries, breakdowns, or running out of gas |
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What You'll Learn
Contacting the police and Erie Insurance
Contacting the Police
If you are involved in an accident, it is recommended that you call the police to create an official documentation of the accident. If they are unable to come to the scene, ask them how you can file a report for insurance purposes. You can still file even if the other party chooses not to wait for the police. A police report may help with the claims process and provides an official record of what happened. If someone is injured, damage is extensive or you need other emergency assistance, call 911.
Contacting Erie Insurance
Erie Insurance provides 24/7 support for people who have been involved in car, truck, or motorcycle accidents. You can contact your local Erie agent or call Erie's 24/7 claims team at (800) 367-3743. If your agent is not available, you can call Erie's claims service at the same number. When you report your claim, Erie's expert claims team will help handle every step of the process. You can choose your preferred method of contact from Erie when you report your claim, including phone, email, and text messaging.
Before filing your claim, it is recommended that you take the following steps to increase the likelihood of a fair and successful claim outcome:
- Obtain written records, receipts, and statements of your medical bills at the time of your accident. If there were passengers in the car who were also injured, ask them to do the same.
- Keep a copy of the police report from your accident, as it will be a determining factor in determining your claim outcome and assigning blame.
- Gather evidence of the damage to your vehicle, such as pictures of your car after the accident.
- If your vehicle is not drivable and you need a tow or a rental vehicle, Erie’s 24/7 customer care team will arrange it for you.
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Documenting the accident
Documenting an accident is a crucial step in the claims process. Here are the steps you should take to ensure that you have the necessary information and evidence when reporting an accident to Erie Insurance:
Details to Record
- Basic information: Document the date, time, and location of the accident.
- Contact information: Gather the contact information, including full names, of all involved parties, including other drivers, passengers, and witnesses.
- Insurance information: Obtain the insurance company and policy number for all drivers involved.
- Vehicle information: Record the type, colour, model, and license plate numbers of all vehicles involved in the accident.
- Police report: Obtain the name and badge number of all responding officers and request a copy of the accident report.
- Description of the accident: Write down a detailed description of what happened while the details are still fresh in your memory.
Evidence to Collect
- Photos and videos: Take photos and/or videos of the accident scene, capturing the involved vehicles from different angles to show the damage. If possible, take pictures before any repairs are made to show the full extent of the damage.
- Medical records: If there are any injuries, obtain written records, receipts, and statements of medical bills for yourself and any injured passengers.
- Police report: Keep a copy of the police report, as it will be crucial in determining your claim outcome and assigning blame.
- Communication records: Keep notes on phone conversations and emails relevant to your claim.
- Insurance policy: Have your insurance policy number and a copy of your policy readily available.
- Other driver's information: Obtain the full name and insurance policy number of the other driver(s) involved. If they do not have insurance or an ID, take a picture of their license plate.
Remember to stay calm and only discuss accident details with the police or an Erie Insurance representative. Contact Erie Insurance as soon as possible to initiate the claims process and receive guidance on the next steps.
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Contacting your agent
If you are unsure about whether to report an accident to your insurance, contact your agent. They can guide you through the next steps and answer any questions that might come up along the way. Your local Erie agent will be able to help you start the claims process.
If your agent is unavailable, you can call Erie's claims service at (800) 367-3743. This line is staffed 24 hours a day. When you report your claim to Erie, their expert claims team will help handle every step of the process. If your vehicle is not drivable, Erie’s 24/7 customer care team will arrange a tow or a rental vehicle for you.
If you have added roadside coverage to your Erie auto policy, the labor costs for emergency services are covered by your policy. The roadside service program covers the cost of towing your car from within 10 feet of the highway. If the distance is greater than 10 feet, there may be an additional charge.
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Starting the claims process
If you've been in an accident, it's important to stay calm and take a deep breath. ERIE and your agent will help you through the process. Remember to only discuss accident details with the police or an ERIE representative.
To start the claims process, you have a few options. You can contact your local ERIE agent, or call ERIE's 24/7 claims team directly at (800) 367-3743. If your agent is unavailable, you can call this number to reach ERIE's claims service. You can also access Roadside Assistance online or by calling 800-367-3743, option 2, to reach their nationwide partner Agero. However, this program does not include accident-related towing. If your vehicle is not drivable and you need a tow or a rental vehicle, ERIE’s 24/7 customer care team will be happy to arrange it for you.
When you report your claim, ERIE's expert claims team will guide you through every step of the process. You can choose your preferred method of contact from ERIE, including phone, email, and text messaging. It is recommended to always provide your email address. You can also advise on the best times to reach you if it is outside of normal business hours.
Before filing your claim, there are several steps you can take to ensure a fair and successful claim outcome. Firstly, obtain written records, receipts, and statements of your medical bills at the time of the accident. If there were passengers in the car who were injured, ask them to do the same. Keep a copy of the police report, as it will be crucial in determining your claim outcome and assigning blame. It is also important to let your ERIE insurance agent know about the accident as soon as possible, to prevent any claims of pre-existing injuries or vehicle damage.
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Getting a rental vehicle
If your vehicle is not drivable after an accident, Erie Insurance's 24/7 customer care team can arrange a rental vehicle for you. Basic rental car coverage is automatically included in most states if you've purchased comprehensive coverage. This means that if your car is disabled due to fire, theft, glass damage, or another type of claim covered under your policy, you're covered for a compact sedan rental car.
If you need a larger rental vehicle, you can purchase additional coverage. This can be done by adding Transportation Expense Coverage to your policy, which starts at $15 per day/$450 per loss in North Carolina and $20 per day/$900 per loss in most other states. Virginia offers $600 in collision rental coverage at no charge.
Erie Insurance partners with leading rental car companies like Enterprise Rent-A-Car, but you may also use your own preferred rental company. It is important to note that rental car coverage may vary by state, so it is recommended to consult with a trusted insurance advisor or your local Erie Insurance agent to determine the specific coverage details and options available to you.
When getting a rental vehicle, it is important to understand how the rental company's coverage works and what you would be responsible for paying in the event of a claim. Supplemental coverage from the rental car company can provide extra peace of mind, but it is optional and may not be necessary depending on your specific situation.
Additionally, Erie Insurance offers a college student discount if you decide to leave your vehicle at home. To qualify for this discount, certain conditions must be met, such as being a full-time college student and living away from home during the school year. Contacting a local Erie Insurance agent can provide more information on this discount and help you determine if you are eligible.
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Frequently asked questions
You can call Erie’s claims service at (800) 367-3743. You can also contact your local Erie agent.
You should have the following details to hand: your insurance policy number, the name of the insured party as it appears on the policy, details of estimates, notes of phone conversations and emails pertinent to the claim, and details of the accident.
You should provide the date, time and location of the accident, contact information for other drivers, passengers and witnesses, insurance company and policy number for other drivers, type, colour, model and license plate numbers of other vehicles involved, name and badge number of all responding officers and a copy of the accident report, a description of what happened, and photos of the involved vehicles from different angles.
Try to get the license plate information, make, model, and colour of the vehicle. Call 911 or the police, and gather witness accounts and their contact information. Take photos or videos of the damage and how the accident happened.
An insurance adjuster will contact you to review the details of the accident and your auto insurance coverage.
