Nobody plans for a car accident, and the minutes right after one happen can feel like a blur. Having a plan ahead of time makes it easier to protect yourself and your claim. Here's what we walk our clients through.
At the scene
- Check for injuries first. Call 911 if anyone is hurt, and even for minor accidents, Mississippi law requires you to report crashes involving injury, death, or significant property damage.
- Move to safety if the vehicles are drivable and it's safe to do so, rather than staying in a live traffic lane.
- Exchange information with the other driver: name, phone number, insurance company, and policy number.
- Take photos of the vehicles, license plates, road conditions, and any visible damage before cars are moved, if possible.
Filing the report
Request a copy of the police report or the report number if an officer responds to the scene. This report becomes an important reference point for your claim.
Contacting your agent
Call us as soon as you're able to. We'll help you:
- Confirm what your policy covers, including rental car reimbursement if you carry it
- File your claim with the carrier and explain what documentation they'll need
- Answer questions about deductibles, timelines, and what to expect next
A few things to avoid
- Don't admit fault at the scene, even casually — let the claims process sort out the details.
- Don't accept a settlement offer from another driver's insurer without talking to your own agent first.
- Don't skip the paperwork, even for a minor fender bender. Small claims can turn into bigger disputes later without documentation.
If you're ever in an accident, give us a call — we're here to help you through the claims process, not just the policy.