You’re sitting calmly in traffic drumming your fingers on the steering wheel when you hear the sound of brakes screeching from behind. Glancing in the rearview mirror, you see a car barreling toward you and brace for the crash.
In 2023, more than 5.25 million Americans experienced an auto accident, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While we can’t always prevent accidents from happening, we can prepare for what to do when they occur.
First and foremost, your ERIE Agent is here for you and can guide you through the entire claims process. Our claims adjusters will also help determine the next steps for restoring or replacing your vehicle, and your online account or mobile app will keep you posted on the claims process.
What now?
A car accident is just that, an accident. If you find yourself in the aftermath you might notice that as the adrenaline drops off, your brain starts to whirl with questions. Often, the loudest one is, what now?
First, make sure everyone involved is safe. If your vehicle can be moved out of the roadway, do so. No matter what, be sure to turn on your hazard lights.
Next, remember to stay calm. Take some deep breaths and remember, with ERIE, you are not alone.
Then:
- Call the police to report the accident. If someone needs medical attention at the scene, call 911
- If your vehicle needs to be towed, be cautious of predatory towing companies. Using them may result in expensive out of pocket charges. ERIE has a towing program, and you can request an accident tow by using your mobile app. If using a towing provider at the scene, be sure to obtain the towing company name, operator, contact information and location to where the vehicle is being towed.
- Document the scene. Take notes, photos, videos and voice memos. Make sure to get:
- Date, time and location
- Description of what happened, while it’s still fresh in your mind
- Contact information of those involved and any witnesses
- Insurance information, driver’s license number and license plate information of all drivers involved
- Identifying information of all responding officers
- Photos of the involved vehicle from different angles, showing the damage done to both cars. Note that if you use ERIE’s photo appraisal option, you’ll need to take additional photos of your vehicle during the photo appraisal process.
- Copy of final accident report
If your accident was the result of a hit and run, the steps don’t vary much. Record any details you may recall about the vehicle that hit you and gather witness statements and contact information.
Finally, contact your Erie Insurance Agent directly to begin the claims process. Even if your accident occurs in a state outside of ERIE’s footprint, your ERIE Agent can gather the information, talk about next steps and submit the claim.
Did you know?
ERIE includes basic transportation car coverage automatically in most states when you purchase comprehensive coverage. You’re covered for a compact sedan rental car. If you need a larger rental vehicle, you could purchase additional coverage. While many competitors pay for either a certain percentage of costs or a capped dollar amount, ERIE’s coverage can pay for rental cars for up to 45 days.2
To have rental car coverage for collision losses, such as when you hit another car or a fence, building or pole, you would need to add the coverage to your policy.
What’s next?
Once a claim is submitted, if you have an online account or ERIE’s mobile app, you can monitor your claim and check the status at any time, when it’s convenient for you. You have the option to receive updates via text or phone call.
Check in…when and where you want
It isn’t a secret that pretty much everything can be done with a smartphone these days. Whether it’s checking the forecast or shopping for groceries, there’s usually an app or process to help you.
Your claim status isn’t much different.
While your Agent is always there to assist you through a claim after an auto accident, ERIE also has tools for Customers that want to monitor and communicate during their claim electronically. With ERIE’s claim status feature, you can keep an eye on your claim status timeline, which can provide:
- An overview of the claim, including a small timeline of what’s been done and what’s happening next.
- Vehicle rental confirmation and details. If you have transportation coverage on your policy, this would include the rental car company, reservation number, type of vehicle and the rental car period.
- Direct Repair Program (DRP) information, including repair shop details and contact information. ERIE’s DRP program can help speed up the repair process, so we can get you back on the road ASAP.
- A communication log. You can see all of the points of contact throughout the process and if there is anything that needs follow up.
- Payment confirmation, should ERIE make an e-payment directly to you, the Customer.
Download an ERIE online account and mobile app
If you don’t have an ERIE online account yet or haven’t downloaded the mobile app, this is a great time.
Not only does your online account have the ability to show your claim status, but you can also:
- View your ERIE Agent’s contact information
- View policies and full declarations pages (You can select the option to go paperless, too)
- View auto ID card (not available in NY)
- View your billing and payment activity (as well as make a payment)
What else can I do in claim status?
Not every auto accident is the same. There are some additional items that you can view in your claim status based on your specific situation, such as:
- Towing information, including what towing company is servicing the claim, the status of the tow, pickup and destination locations and reference number.
- Total Loss. When you experience a total loss, you’ll see this in your claim status timeline. You’ll also see the involved vehicle’s information and total dollar amount owed from the claim.
When you experience a total loss, this is when your Auto Security coverage would help. Auto Security allows you to replace your totaled vehicle with a newer one with fewer miles or cover the difference between what you owe and your car’s value.1 If you don’t have Auto Security on your auto policy, talk to your ERIE Agent about adding it.
Claim status is convenient and can be accessible from both your mobile device or desktop computer. It’s a great way to keep track of the status of your claim anytime, from anywhere.
Claim status is available for boat and property claims, too. Past claims are available for six months after the close date for any reference you may need. Just like having multiple policies with your ERIE Agent, all of your information is stored in one convenient place.
Your ERIE agent is with you every mile
Within your online account’s claim status, your Agent sees what you see. They know exactly what coverages are applicable and can provide guidance on the right services for you. By sharing the same view, your Agent can track your claim’s status and answer any questions along the way.
The last thing you want to do is write down phone numbers or keep track of your claim’s progress. That’s why everything is conveniently done within your online account and with the help of your ERIE Agent.
While you always have the choice in how to communicate with your Agent and ERIE, providing different options allows you to customize the experience that best works for you. Regardless of how you communicate, your Agent is the best place to start when you have a claim.
Whether you’re calling about a claim or going over your policies during a review, your Agent is here for you through it all.
Your auto policy is more than a paper document. It includes an Agent that acts as your advisor, claims team members to help you get back on the road and tools to make navigating insurance a little easier.
For any questions—about your rates, coverage or anything else—your ERIE Agent is here for you, at any time.
