Filing Auto Insurance Claims: Tulsa, Ok Guide

If you've been in a car accident in Tulsa, Oklahoma, you'll need to file an auto insurance claim. Tulsa drivers are required by law to carry auto insurance, with minimum coverage requirements of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 per accident for property damage liability. After an accident, you should exchange license plate numbers, contact information, and auto insurance details with the other parties involved. It's also important to document the scene with photos and obtain phone numbers from any witnesses. Whether you're at fault or not, you should contact your insurance company as soon as possible to initiate the claims process.

Contact your insurance company

Contacting your insurance company is the first step to filing an auto insurance claim in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Here is a step-by-step guide on what to do:

Step 1: Call Your Insurance Company

It is important to contact your insurance company as soon as possible after an accident. Have your policy number ready and be prepared to provide details about the accident, including the date, time, location, and any damage or injuries that occurred. You will also need to provide information about the other drivers involved, including their names, contact information, license plate numbers, and insurance information. If there are any witnesses, be sure to get their contact information as well.

Step 2: File a Claim

When you call your insurance company, you will need to advise them of the accident and file a claim. If the accident was not your fault, you will file a claim with the responsible party's insurance carrier. If the other driver is uninsured, discuss your legal options with your insurance company and confirm your coverage for uninsured motorists. If you are at fault, you will file a claim with your carrier for any damages you have incurred. The other party will likely file a separate claim with your carrier for their damages.

Step 3: Provide Information

The insurance company will need detailed information about the accident to process your claim. Be prepared to provide a description of the accident, including any relevant photos or videos you may have taken. You will also need to provide information about the damage to your vehicle, such as repair estimates from local contractors or mechanics. If you have already made any temporary repairs to mitigate the damage, be sure to provide receipts for those as well.

Step 4: Work with the Adjuster

After you have filed your claim, the insurance company will assign a claims adjuster to your case. The adjuster will examine your vehicle and determine an estimate for repairs or, if the vehicle is totaled, provide you with a payout amount. If you are the at-fault party, the amount will be minus your collision deductible. You may be asked to collect repair estimates for minor damage and submit them to the responsible party's insurance carrier. The adjuster will also determine negligence, so it is important not to admit fault at the scene of the accident.

Remember, it is always best to review your insurance policy and understand your coverage before getting into an accident. Knowing what is covered and what your responsibilities are can help streamline the claims process and ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to.

Document the damage

Documenting the damage to your vehicle is a crucial step in the auto insurance claim process. Here are some detailed instructions to help you through this process:

Take Photos and Videos: Use your smartphone or camera to capture images and videos of the damage to your vehicle. Make sure to take photos from multiple angles, including close-ups of any specific areas of damage, as well as wider shots that show the overall condition of the vehicle. If there are any other vehicles involved in the accident, take photos of them as well, capturing their license plates and any visible damage. Additionally, take photos of the accident scene, including traffic controls, visual obstacles, and any relevant details that could help explain the context of the incident.

Create a Written Summary: Write down a detailed description of the incident, including the date, time, and location. Note the weather conditions, road conditions, and any other factors that may have contributed to the accident. If there were witnesses, record their names and contact information. If the police were called to the scene, obtain a copy of the police report, as this will be important for your insurance claim.

Exchange Information: If there were other drivers involved in the accident, be sure to exchange information with them. Get their full names, contact information, driver's license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance information. You should also obtain the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any passengers in their vehicles.

Document Your Injuries: If you or any of your passengers were injured in the accident, be sure to document those injuries. Take photos of any visible injuries, and keep a record of any medical treatment required, including doctor's visits, hospital stays, medications, and any other related expenses.

Keep Records of Repairs: If you need to have your vehicle repaired, keep all the receipts and records of the repair process. This includes estimates from mechanics or body shops, as well as any parts that needed to be replaced. It's important to keep these records, as they will be necessary when negotiating with your insurance company and ensuring that you receive fair compensation.

Save All Relevant Documents: Create a folder or envelope where you can keep all the documents related to the accident. This includes photos, police reports, medical records, repair estimates, and receipts. Having all these documents organized and easily accessible will make the insurance claim process smoother and help ensure you don't miss any important details.

Make temporary repairs

Making temporary repairs is an important step when filing an auto insurance claim in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Here are some detailed instructions to guide you through the process:

Before making any temporary repairs, it is crucial to assess the damage to your vehicle. Identify any issues that could make your car unsafe or illegal to drive, such as cracks in the windshield that obstruct your vision, doors or trunks that don't latch properly, or damage to the engine or gas tank. These issues should be addressed immediately to ensure your safety and compliance with legal requirements.

If your car is safe to drive, you can proceed with making the necessary temporary repairs to prevent further damage. For example, if your windshield is cracked, you can cover it with clear tape to prevent the crack from spreading until you can get it properly repaired. If there are any broken lights, you can temporarily replace them with functioning ones to ensure your car remains visible and roadworthy. Keep in mind to only perform repairs that you are confident in doing safely and correctly.

When making temporary repairs, ensure you document the entire process by taking photos or videos of the damage before, during, and after the repairs. This documentation will be valuable when making your insurance claim and can help streamline the process. It is also essential to keep all receipts related to the temporary repairs, as these expenses may be covered by your insurance company.

If the damage to your vehicle is extensive or you are unsure about making temporary repairs yourself, it is advisable to consult a professional. Contact a local auto body shop or mechanic and explain your situation. They can guide you on the best course of action and provide temporary solutions to prevent further damage. Remember to obtain repair estimates, as these will be useful when speaking with the insurance adjuster.

It is important to note that these temporary repairs are just that—temporary. Do not make any permanent repairs until your insurance company has reviewed the damage and provided their guidance. The insurance adjuster will assess the damage and determine the necessary repairs or declare the vehicle a total loss. Until then, focus on mitigating further damage and preserving the state of your vehicle as much as possible.

File a police report

When filing an auto insurance claim in Tulsa, OK, it is beneficial to file a police report. While it is not always necessary to have a police report to initiate an insurance claim, it can be invaluable in helping to prove the negligence of at-fault drivers. It can also help to speed up the claims process.

In the event of an accident, you should call 911 if someone has a life-threatening injury. If there is no emergency, call the police directly and obtain a police report. You may also need to exchange license plate numbers, contact information, and auto insurance information with the other parties involved. Take photos of the scene if possible, and make sure to get phone numbers, including those of any witnesses. Do not admit fault at the scene, as the adjuster will determine negligence.

In some cases, the police may not respond to minor accidents or incidents that occur on private property. In these cases, it is up to you to chronicle the details of the incident. Be sure to write down specific information such as the date, time, location, and involved individuals and their contact information.

It is important to note that Oklahoma has minimum insurance coverage requirements, and costs over these limits will be your responsibility without additional coverage.

Understand the different types of coverage

When it comes to auto insurance, it's important to understand the different types of coverage available to you. Here's a detailed overview of the various coverage options you may encounter when filing an auto insurance claim in Tulsa, Oklahoma:

Liability Coverage

Liability coverage is a mandatory type of insurance in Oklahoma. It includes both bodily injury liability and property damage liability. The minimum requirements for liability coverage in the state are $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident, often referred to as 25/50/25 coverage. This type of coverage protects you financially if you are found responsible for an accident. It covers the other party's medical expenses and property damage up to the policy limits. However, keep in mind that the minimum coverage may not be sufficient if the costs of an accident exceed these limits.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage is not mandatory in Oklahoma, but it is highly recommended. This type of coverage protects you if you are in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance or does not have sufficient insurance to cover the damages. In Oklahoma, it is estimated that about 25% of drivers are uninsured, so this coverage can provide valuable protection.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage is optional and provides protection against non-collision-related incidents. It covers damages to your vehicle resulting from events such as fire, theft, vandalism, glass breakage, and contact with animals. For example, if a tree branch falls on your car during a storm, comprehensive coverage would apply.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage is also optional and covers the cost of repairing your vehicle when it is damaged in a collision with another vehicle or object. This coverage is subject to a deductible, which is the portion of the costs you will need to pay before the insurance company covers the rest.

Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)

Medical Payments Coverage, or MedPay, is optional and covers your medical expenses if you are injured in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. This coverage can also include benefits not paid for by your health insurance plan, such as deductibles.

Other Optional Coverages

There are additional optional coverages that you may want to consider, depending on your specific needs. These can include rental car coverage, roadside assistance, and coverage for towing and repairs.

It's important to carefully review the different types of coverage available and choose the ones that best suit your needs and provide you with the level of protection you desire. Remember that insurance requirements and coverage options may vary by state, so always consult with a licensed insurance professional to ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information for Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Frequently asked questions