Progressive Claims Process

Understanding the Progressive Claims Process

With any luck, few of us will ever have to go through the car accident claims process frequently enough to learn the intricacies and quirks related to each specific insurance company. Thankfully, Progressive Insurance’s claims process is fairly straightforward: an initial interview leads to an investigation into the incident and a decision on whether or not a car is worth repairing. Of course, things are never quite as simple as they appear from the start, so let’s take a deeper dive into the world of car accident settlements through the eyes of the average Progressive policyholder.

 Step by Step

Immediately after an accident, call the police and report the incident, no matter how small. Even minor fender benders can result in serious injuries and major damage to your vehicle. If authorities arrive on scene, take down their names and badge numbers and ask for a copy of their police report. Take photos and videos of the damage done. Jot down notes about the time of day, weather conditions and traffic patterns at the scene. These minor details could be incredibly useful in the future. Interview witnesses who may have unique insight into the cause of the accident, and be sure to write down their contact information, too. You’ll also want the name, contact information and insurance information of the other drivers involved.

Progressive Insurance

Of course, all of this is assuming that no one has been injured in your crash. Tending to injuries takes priority over anything else, so make helping anyone injured in the incident the first thing that’s addressed. Don’t dismiss your own aches and pains, either; get examined by a doctor or first responder if you have any concerns about the impact the accident had on your body.

After speaking with police and ensuring everyone in need of medical assistance has been treated, give Progressive a call. You can inform them of your accident over the phone or via their website. The agent will be asking initial questions and begin processing your claim. Within the next few hours, a claims adjuster will be assigned to your claim and will reach out to you for next steps.

Before the end of the business day, your claims adjuster will schedule a time to inspect your vehicle for damage. Policyholders can arrange to have their car towed to a Progressive Service Center, a repair shop in network or a garage of their choosing. If the vehicle is drivable, the claims adjuster may ask you to bring the car into the shop yourself. At this point, Progressive will also help arrange for a rental car while your vehicle is being inspected.

 Repair Estimates

Generally, repairs estimates do not take very long to complete. The process gives policyholders a good idea of how much repairs might cost and what, if any, they might owe out of pocket. To do so, the claims adjuster will work hand in hand with a mechanic to understand the cost of repairing your vehicle to the condition of its pre-accident state. The estimate can depend largely on the parts, prices and amount of labor required to make such repairs.

Many times, it does not make financial sense to repair the vehicle. If the damage done by the accident outweighs the total value of the car pre-accident, it is generally not considered worth repairing. In such cases, Progressive may declare your car totaled. While it is ultimately your decision to repair your vehicle or not, know that you will likely end up paying far more out of pocket to make the repairs necessary to get your car back on the road.

If you do not own your vehicle outright, you’ll need to check with your lienholder or leasing company to determine what to do next. They may require you to repair the vehicle in order to protect their interest. When Progressive issues payment for repairs or replacement, it will be issued to both you and any lienholders as payees. Contact the lienholder for guidance on what steps to take next.

 Different Kinds of Claims

Not all kinds of claims are created equal. In some cases, you may only need your windshield repaired or replaced. In such circumstances, contact Progressive online or via phone to begin the claims process. It’s important to initiate the claim before paying to repair or replace the glass, otherwise you could end up paying more out of pocket. In more complicated claims, you may need to go to court or handle the claim through Progressive’s arbitration process.

Typically, comprehensive coverage is required for glass claims. Once a claims adjuster determines if you are indeed covered for repairs, they will make arrangements for the work to be done at a Progressive Service Center, an in-network garage or a mechanic of your choice. Repairs are usually taken care of within 48 hours and often require no payment from the policyholder. Should the windshield need to be replaced, however, you may owe a deductible.

Total Loss

In some cases, the cost of repairs outweigh the value of a car. In such situations, Progressive will pay the ACV, or Actual Cash Value of the vehicle. This value factors in the condition of the car before the accident, the age and the mileage minus any deductibles. If Progressive determines Once determining the ACV, Progressive will issue payment to you, your lender or both. In order to get payment issued to you, you’ll need the physical title for your vehicle. From there, Progressive will dispose of the totaled car.

Do You Need a Car Accident Attorney?

It’s possible that you will disagree with the ACV Progressive determines for your vehicle. They may also be hesitant to pay you for other damages you sustained in the wreck, like medical bills. Though not every car accident results in difficult negotiations with one’s insurance company, it can be beneficial for virtually everyone involved in a collision to speak with an attorney. If you’re confused about whether or not you need a lawyer, Lawsuit Info Center can help. Get helpful answers to all of your questions today by calling 877-810-4067 or visiting lawsuitinfocenter.com.

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