Car Accident Insurance: Procedure in Filing a Claim

Still on the subject of car accidents (See my blog post, http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/2007/08/do-you-know-what-to-do-after-car.html ), last Monday (8/6/07) the car insurance company of the Volvo car that hit my Honda City car last Sunday (8/5/07) contacted and informed me that a company representative will conduct an inspection of the damage to my car. Yesterday (8/7/07) a representative of the insurance company went to my place and inspected my car.

As a car owner (and a driver) one should know how to file claims from a car insurance company. Below is the procedure in filing a claim ( Source: http://www.standard-insurance.com/claims_servicing.shtml ) (Note: The procedure may vary, depending on the car insurance company):


Procedure in filing a claim

Filing Motor Car Claim


· General Requirements

1. Complete photocopy of the face of the Policy Contract and Policy Schedule

2. Photocopy of the Official Receipt (OR) of premium payment

3. Photocopy of Endorsement (if any)

4. Photocopy of Car Registration and Motor Vehicle Registration Receipt

5. Photocopy of Driver's License and OR

6. Police Report

7. Affidavit of the driver (if the circumstances are not clear in the police report)


· Additional Requirements

1. For Total Loss

a. Purchase Invoice/ Delivery Receipt

b. Outstanding balance from the bank (if mortgaged)


2. For Carnap


a. Complaint Sheet

b. Alarm Sheet

c. Original Keys

d. Purchase Invoice/ Delivery Receipt



3. For Third Party Property Damage

a. Insurance Policy of the Third Party

b. Car Registration and Official Receipt of the Third Party

c. Driver's License and Official Receipt of the Third Party

d. Certificate of No Claim from Third Party Insurer

e. Stencil of Motor and Chassis Number of Insured and Third Party vehicles

f. Colored pictures (if available)

g. Estimates (if available)


4. For Third Party Other Than Vehicle


a. Colored pictures of the damaged property

b. Estimated cost of repairs of the damaged property

c. Proof of ownership

d. Stencil of Motor and Chassis Number of insured vehicle


5. For Third Party Bodily Injury

a. Medical Certificate

b. Receipts of Medicine

c. Hospital Bills

d. Birth Certificate (if minor)

e. Stencil of Motor and Chassis Number of Insured Vehicle


6. For Third Party Death

a. Death Certificate

b. Funeral Receipts

c. Marriage Contract (if married)

d. Birth Certificate (if minor or single)

e. Stencil of Motor and Chassis Number of Insured Vehicle

· Procedure

1. Report to the nearest police station for investigation and secure a copy of the police investigation report.

2. SUBMIT ALL THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS either to the branch, agency or car dealer where you acquired your insurance.

3. The outlet where you filed your documents shall assign your claim to the Company's Technical Department for the inspection of the unit to determine the fair extent of damage sustained.

4. PLEASE COMPLY WITH THE ASSIGNED SCHEDULE FOR INSPECTION TO AVOID DELAY.

5. The outlet where you filed your claim will inform you of the approved amount of claim and the amount of your participation in betterments. This will be done either by:


* Letter of Authority (LOA) addressed to the shop which will undertake the repair, or

* Cash Settlement

Important Reminders

1. Never have your unit repaired without approval of the Company's Claims Division. This is a ground for denial of claim.

2. In case insured unit is disabled, assured is required to make arrangements for safekeeping of the insured unit, as stated in your policy.

3. We strongly suggest that the photocopies of the first five general requirements be readily available (preferably inside the glove compartment of your car).

4. Make sure that you and your driver is in possession of a valid Driver's License with the applicabale restriction code stated therein.

What applies to me is procedure number 3, i.e., "Third Property Damage." In addition to the requirements stated above, I have to submit a "NO CLAIM" form from my car insurance company to the insurance company of the Volvo car that hit my car. Also, in this case, a driver's affidavit (from the other party) will take the place of a police investigation report.

It has been two days since I had car accident. My work and schedules have been affected. Also, I have to deal with post-accident anxiety and the fact that my (relatively) new car has been damaged! This is frustrating but I have to deal with this reality.

Raffy (8/8/07 in Quezon City)