Crash Courses with Jackson & Gray Insurance

A car accident is just that, an accident. If you find yourself in the aftermath you might notice that as the adrenaline drops off, your brain starts to whirl with questions. Often, the loudest one is, what now? First, make sure everyone involved is safe. If your vehicle can be moved out of the roadway, do so. No matter what, be sure to turn on your hazard lights.

Next, remember to stay calm. Take some deep breaths and remember, with ERIE, you are not alone.

THEN:

• Call the police to report the accident. If someone needs medical attention at the scene, call 911
• If your vehicle needs to be towed, be cautious of predatory towing companies. Using them may result in expensive out of pocket charges. ERIE has a towing program, and you can request an accident tow by using your mobile app. If using a towing provider at the scene, be sure to obtain the towing company name, operator, contact information and location to where the vehicle is being towed.

Within your online account’s claim status, your Agent sees what you see. They know exactly what coverages are applicable and can provide guidance on the right services for you. By sharing the same view, your Agent can track your claim’s status and answer any questions along the way. The last thing you want to do is write down phone numbers or keep track of your claim’s progress. That’s why everything is conveniently done within your online account and with the help of your ERIE Agent. While you always have the choice in how to communicate with your Agent and ERIE, providing different options allows you to customize the experience that best works for you.

Regardless of how you communicate, your Agent is the best place to start when you have a claim.

• Document the scene. Take notes, photos, videos and voice memos.

Make sure to get:

• Date, time and location
• Description of what happened, while it’s still fresh in your mind
• Contact information of those involved and any witnesses
• Insurance information, driver’s license number and license plate information of all drivers involved
• Identifying information of all responding officers
• Photos of the involved vehicle from different angles, showing the damage done to both cars. Note that if you use ERIE’s photo appraisal option, you’ll need to take additional photos of your vehicle during the photo appraisal process.
• Copy of final accident report.

If your accident was the result of a hit and run, the steps don’t vary much. Record any details you may recall about the vehicle that hit you and gather witness statements and contact information. Finally, contact your Erie Insurance Agent directly to begin the claims process. Even if your accident occurs in a state outside of ERIE’s footprint, your ERIE Agent can gather the information, talk about next steps and submit the claim.