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Claims

Auto Accident Claims

We suggest taking the following steps:

  1. Seek medical attention at once for any injured persons by calling 911.
  2. Call to request that a law enforcement officer come to the accident scene to make a report. Cooperate with the officer who arrives. If an officer cannot come to the accident, go to the nearest law enforcement station to file a counter report. To protect yourself, file a report even if the other party leaves the scene or fails to report the accident.
  3. Do not discuss the accident facts with anyone except the officer and your own insurance representative (either your independent agent or CWG claim representative.)
  4. Get the names of all parties, including witnesses, then provide the information to your agent or CWG Casualty claim representative.
  5. Promptly report any accident to your agent or to CWG at 800-235-2942.
  6. If you have physical damage coverage under your policy, obtain an estimate of damages to your vehicle, if possible.

Typical Auto Claims

Collision Loss:

A loss in which your vehicle collides with another object. This can be another motor vehicle, a shopping cart, road debris or other property. There can be injury involved in these claims as well.

Comprehensive Loss:

Often called "other than collision," these include losses involving one of the following: Missiles or Falling objects, Fire, Theft or Larceny, Explosion or Earthquake, Windstorm, Hail, Water or Flood, Malicious Mischief or Vandalism, Riot or Civil Commotion, Contact with Bird or Animal, or Breakage of Glass.

Windshield/Glass Loss:

Losses in which there is only damage to the glass on the automobile.

Medical Payments Loss:

Loss in which there is injury from being in or on a vehicle.

Towing Bills

These claims are presented if there was need of a tow without having another type of covered loss.

Assessing Auto Damage

What is an Estimate?

An estimate is the assessment of your damages. An initial estimate is written based on what can be seen at the time of appraisal. Sometimes additional damages are found once the vehicle is under repair. If that happens, a supplemental estimate will be written and should be forwarded by the shop to the claim representative.

Total Loss Vehicles

It is possible that repairing your vehicle might be economically unreasonable. When the damages are so extensive that the cost to repair approaches or exceeds the value of your vehicle, it may be deemed a total loss. Total Losses are handled one of two ways:

  1. We will pay the actual cash value of the vehicle to the lienholder or owner. This value will be determined in accordance with the applicable laws of the state in which the owner resides. If the value of the vehicle exceeds the lien, the excess is sent to the owner. If the value is less than the lien, the owner needs to contact the lienholder to arrange payment options. In this situation we are buying the vehicle. The insurance company takes possession of the vehicle in exchange for the payment.
  2. The owner may retain the vehicle in accordance with the salvage laws of the owner's state and receive a lesser settlement once the salvage value is deducted.