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(NC)-If you are in an automobile accident that involves injury or property damage, you are required to report the accident to your insurance company.
This is new territory for many of us, so the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO), the insurance regulator in Ontario, is assisting with step-by-step, consumer-friendly information.
Take a look at the electronic brochure After an Auto Accident: Understanding the Claims Process, found in the Auto Insurance section of the website www.fsco.gov.on.ca.
Here are some tips suggested by FSCO, to help make your auto insurance claims process easier:
. If the accident involves injury or property damage, report it to your agent, broker, or insurance company within seven days, regardless of who is at fault. Have the following facts ready when you make your call: the name of the owner's insurance company and policy number; the driver's name and licence number; the make, model, year, registration and licence plate number of the vehicle; the details of the accident, such as the date, time and location of the accident; the extent of any injuries, and any other relevant information.
.Read your insurance policy to fully understand your coverage. If you would like a copy of the Ontario Automobile Policy, ask your insurance agent, broker, or claims adjuster - or go to: www.autoinsurance.gov.on.ca to download a copy.
. Once the accident is reported, a claims adjuster will contact you to explain the coverages provided by your policy, and help guide you through the entire process. Be sure to ask questions if something is not clear.
Auto Accident Resources
Another valuable source of information on this subject is the After An Auto Accident web page, located on the ServiceOntario website at www.serviceontario.ca/autoaccident.
This web page is a one-stop information centre on a wide range of topics, including: steps to take after an auto accident, making an insurance claim, avoiding insurance scams, auto repair tips and laws that pertain to auto accidents.