How To File a Car Accident Claim With Allstate

Posted in Car Accidents on March 22, 2023

Allstate is one of the largest and most recognizable insurance companies in the United States and New York. According to Insurance Business America, Allstate insures approximately 16 million people and has more than 175 million policies in place. This means that if you are involved in a car accident, odds are that you may be dealing with Allstate. The Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers can walk you through the steps involved in a typical car accident claim.

Report the Accident

If you are involved in a car accident that injures or kills someone, you are required to report the accident to the police immediately and file a Report of Motor Vehicle Accident (MV-104). You can call the police department that responded to the scene or request a copy of your report online. You will need this report to give to Allstate.

Document the Scene

You should remain at the scene of the accident and document it because it will not stay the same for long. Get the other driver’s information, including their:

Name
Address
Phone number
Description of their vehicle
License plate number
Insurance information

Take pictures of the damage to all vehicles and wide angles of the accident scene. If any witnesses were present, ask for their contact information, too.

File a Claim

New York is a no-fault car insurance state, so you generally file an accident claim with your own insurance company, regardless of who is at fault. However, state law limits the time you have to file your claim to 30 days, so you must make your report promptly. Also, this report must be in writing.

You can make your initial report to Allstate by calling 1-800-ALL-STATE or filing your report online. Even if Allstate is your own insurance company, it is important to understand that when you make a claim, you and the insurer have very different goals. You probably want to get the maximum compensation to which you are entitled under the law, while the insurance company wants to protect its profits by minimizing your compensation. As such, there are some tips you can follow to protect your interests during this process, including:

Make the report while your memory is fresh.
Do not apologize for the accident. Even though New York is a no-fault state, there are exceptions for getting outside this system.
Avoid giving firm answers to questions that you’re not sure about. If the insurance company asks about your injuries, it’s fine to say you are seeking treatment and that you do not yet know the full extent of your injuries.
Write down your claim number once it is created. You can use this number to refer to it and track its progress online.
Avoid guessing. If the insurance adjuster asks you the speed you were driving and you don’t know, it’s fine to say that. It’s better to say that than to say something inaccurate that the insurance company may use later to deny your claim.
Don’t talk about your case to others. Also, avoid posting any information publicly about the accident.
Only answer the questions the adjuster asks. Do not provide additional information.
Avoid giving opinions about the accident. You probably don’t know all the factors that contributed to it.
Remember that the insurance adjuster is not your friend. They may feign concern or pretend to care about your health only to try to get information to use against you.
Keep track of all of the communications you have with the insurance company.

You can also refer Allstate to your lawyer, who can handle this communication on your behalf and take steps to protect your rights.

How To Maximize the Value of Your Claim With Allstate

There are some additional steps you can take to maximize the potential value of your claim, including:

Seek prompt medical attention.
Keep all of your accident-related documentation.
Respond promptly to the adjuster’s requests for information.
Do not accept the first settlement offer, as it is likely for less than what your claim is worth.

Also, you might consider suing if the insurance company is not treating you fairly. You can contact an experienced New York car accident lawyer for further help with your claim.

Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in New York, NY

If you need legal assistance, contact the New York City car accident lawyers at Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation.

We have two convenient locations in New York:

Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers – New York City Office
450 7th Ave #1605
New York, NY 10123
(212) 564-2800

Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers – Brooklyn Office
26 Court St Suite 2511
Brooklyn, NY 11242
(718) 802-1600