Rocky Mount's Largest and Longest Locally Owned
Independent Insurance Agency in our community. Est 1917.
Serving Eastern NC, with Additional Offices in Wilson and Nags Head.
Don't Worry. We're Ready.
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IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT
What should I do in the event of an auto accident?
Each year more than 21 million motor vehicle accidents occur on our nation's roadways according to the National Safety Council. Therefore, the odds of being in at least one accident in your lifetime is extremely high.
This information, prepared by the Independent Insurance Agents of America, contains helpful tips so you know what to do if you are involved in one of these unfortunate incidents.
Stop! Do Not Leave The Scene
Call the police immediately to report any accident, no matter how small, which results in personal injury or vehicle damage.
Notify the police as to any medical assistance that may be needed or any vehicle that is not drivable.
Warn other motorists by turning on your vehicle's flashers and setting up flares or other reflective devices starting 50 feet behind your vehicle. Signal for assistance by tying a handkerchief or anything white to the vehicle's antenna.
Do not accept responsibility or otherwise discuss the accident with anyone except police authorities and your independent insurance agent. Do not accept any monetary settlement at the accident scene.
Remain calm and courteous.
Exchange Information With The Other Driver
Write down driver's license number, license plate number, and state. Get the insurance company name and policy number plus make, model, year and description of vehicle. Lastly, record the name, address and telephone numbers of the driver.
Write down the name and address of all passengers, injured persons or anyone with property damage.
Get the name and contact information for at least two witnesses if possible. This is very important when the fault of an accident is questionable.
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Diagram The Accident Before Leaving The Scene
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Note time of day, weather and condition of roadway (wet, icy, dry).
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Show position of all vehicles before and after the accident--plus location of signs, streets and medians.
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Note any apparent damage to not only your vehicle but all vehicles involved in the accident.
Write Down Any Details You Feel Are Important
Date:
Time:
Location:
Weather and Road Conditions:
Emergency Phone Numbers:
Police:
Fire:
Ambulance:
Your Doctor:
Your Independent Agent:
A Final Note
After you have taken care of everything at the scene of the accident, immediately notify your independent insurance agent. Be sure to save copies of all documents relating to the incident.
Courtesy of the Independent Insurance Agents of America
The abbreviated outlines of coverages used throughout this website are not intended to express any legal opinion as to the nature of coverage.
They are only visuals to a basic understanding of policy for specific details of coverages. Please read your coverages.
AUTO INSURANCE FAQ
What should I do in the event of an auto accident?
This requires a rather lengthy answer, so please utilize the information above.
My teenage child is about to get a learner's permit. When do they need to be added to my policy?
Drivers are added to the personal auto policy when their license is issued, not when they get their learner's permit.
My teenage child will have his own car. Should I insure it in the child's name on a separate policy or add it to my existing policy?
As a general rule, it is less expensive to insure
a child on the parent’s policy rather than on a separate policy in the child’s name. Remember that the title and the name on the policy need to agree.
The body shop is repairing my vehicle after an insured loss. Will my insurance company pay for used or new parts?
If the repair of the damaged part impairs the operational safety of the vehicle, then the insurance company will pay to replace it with a new part. But, for non-safety parts, unless your claim occurs during the first year after your car was manufactured, you are not entitled to new ones. This means that a three-year old door will not get replaced by a brand new one.