Accident & Loss 101
Take a
deep breath
Even a minor fender-bender can create worry, and no one expects you to be an accident expert. But there are a few things you
can do for safety at the scene and efficiency in the claim process.
Were you in an accident?
What to do if you’ve
had an auto accident
To care for everyone and everything involved, follow these important steps.
Safety First
Make sure everyone is safe.
Do what you can to check on everyone’s safety, but please do not put yourself or anyone else in harm’s way.
If anyone is injured, call 911.
Details Second
Call the police for help.
It’s important to document that the accident occurred, even for minor incidents.
Exchange information with all parties and witnesses.
Remember to collect names, addresses, phone numbers, license plate numbers, vehicle descriptions, and injury information
for all parties in all vehicles. Taking photographs of the license plates and registrations of all involved can assist with accurately capturing this information.
Document the accident.
When it’s safe to do so, please take photos of all vehicle(s) from every angle.
Report your claim immediately.
The sooner you tell us about the accident, the sooner we can get working on your behalf.
If your vehicle was stolen:
Report the theft to the police as soon as
possible.
If your vehicle had a fire:
Fill out a fire report in person at your local fire
department as soon as possible.
Was there property damage?
What to do if you’ve
had property damage
To care for everyone and everything involved, follow these important steps.
Safety First
Make sure everyone is safe.
Do what you can to check on everyone’s safety, but please do not put yourself or anyone else in harm’s way.
If anyone is injured, call 911.
Details Second
Call the police for help.
If the loss is due to theft or other crime, notify local authorities as soon as possible. If your bank or credit card data is compromised, notify the companies right away.
Prevent further damage.
Make repairs needed to protect your property from further damage and keep track of the expenses.
Keep track of your expenses.
You may be reimbursed for certain costs associated with the loss or damage. Prepare a list of the damaged, destroyed, or stolen property, and if known, note the age and cost of the item(s) when purchased. If possible, take pictures or videos of damaged items to help document the loss.
Do not throw out or destroy damaged property before speaking with your claim specialist.
It may be used during the evaluation stage of the claim process.
Was there an incident with your business?
What to do if you’ve
had a business incident
To care for everyone and everything involved, follow these important steps.
Safety First
Make sure everyone is safe.
Do what you can to check on everyone’s safety, but please do not put yourself or anyone else in harm’s way.
If anyone is injured, call 911.
Details Second
Call the police for help.
If the loss is due to theft or other crime, notify local authorities as soon as possible. If your bank or credit card data is compromised, notify the companies right away.
Gather information.
Write down witness accounts and contact details, and collect other records (service dates for equipment, photographs of property, etc.) for review.
Prevent further damage.
Make repairs needed to protect your property from further damage and keep track of the expenses.
Keep track of your expenses.
You may be reimbursed for certain costs associated with the loss or damage. Prepare a list of the damaged, destroyed, or stolen property, and if known, note the age and cost of the item(s) when purchased. If possible, take pictures or videos of damaged items to help document the loss.
Do not throw out or destroy damaged property before speaking with your claim specialist.
It may be used during the evaluation stage of the claim process.
How to respond to a car accident
What to do to protect people and property
How to handle accidents and other situations
Need help now?
Give us a call to speak with a representative.
Call 1-800-ARBELLA (1-800-272-3552)
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Tips for smooth resolutions
There are a few things you can do to help your claim move through the process.
Be thorough
Give yourself the time and space to fill out forms and submit information as completely as you can.
Be proactive
Reach out to your agent or your Claim Specialist if you have any questions, at any time throughout the process.
Be patient
It takes a little bit of time to resolve a claim, and rest assured we will work with you to ensure we get it done as fast as we can.
Insurance for New Englanders
Arbella sells insurance through local independent agents, and we work with some of the best in the area. They live and work where you do, and their expert advice given with a personal touch can make all the difference in getting you the insurance you really need.
