Are You Filing an Auto Accident Claim with Any of These Insurance Companies in Washington State?

By Matthew Philbrook | November 7, 2023

Are You Filing an Auto Accident Claim with Any of These Insurance Companies in Washington State? Accidents, though unwanted, are an unfortunate part of life. They can happen in the blink of an eye, leaving you not only physically and emotionally shaken but also burdened with financial concerns. Whether you’ve been involved in a car crash, a slip and fall incident, or any other mishap, one of the first steps to regaining control and getting your life back on track is filing a claim with your insurance company. However, navigating the intricacies of the insurance claims process can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time.

Today we want to take a look at the most prominent insurance companies in Washington and discuss the best way to file a claim after an auto accident that results in personal injury. These insurance companies include:

  • First American
  • Amica
  • Bristol West
  • Chubb
  • Dairyland
  • Foremost Insurance
  • Horace Mann
  • Oregon Mutual Insurance
  • The General
  • Zurich Insurance

How do I file an auto accident claims with First American?

First American offers both owner’s and lender’s policies, and an owner’s policy helps you protect the investment you’ve made in your home.

To file a claim through First American, submit your claim request via email, fax, or regular mail to:

First American Title Insurance Company
Attn: National Claims Intake Center
4 First American Way
Santa Ana, CA 92707

How do I file an auto accident claim with Amica?

Amica offers home, auto, and life insurance, as well as bundled policies. You can submit a claim to Amica online through their customer portal. You can also report a claim by phone:

Auto, Home, Marine, Umbrella
800-242-6422

Life
800-234-5433

You can also check out their Frequently Asked Questions for answers to your questions.

How do I file an auto accident claim with Bristol West?

Bristol West offers comprehensive car insurance services. They are part of the Farmer’s Insurance Group of Companies. You can file a claim online or call Monday through Friday at 1-800-274-7865.

How do I file an auto accident claim with Chubb?

Chubb offers home, auto, boating, travel, and liability insurance. They have branches in Seattle, Washington and you can file a claim online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also contact the company via:

How do I file an auto accident claim with Dairyland?

Dairyland offers auto and motorcycle insurance, as well as insurance for ATVs, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles. You can file a claim online or call 800-334-0090 to speak with a representative.

How do I file an auto accident claim with Foremost Insurance?

Foremost insurance offers auto and home insurance, and is a part of the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies. You can file a claim online at any time, or call 800-274-7865 to speak to a representative.

How do I file an auto accident claim with Horace Mann?

Horace Mann Educators Corporation offers auto, home, renter’s, and life insurance. You can file a claim online 24/7, or call a representative at 800-999-1030.

How do I file an auto accident claim with Oregon Mutual Insurance?

Oregon Mutual offers auto, home, business, winery, and farm insurance. You can file a claim by calling 800-934-3809. You can also report a claim via your member portal account.

How do I file an auto accident claim with The General?

The General offers a wide variety of insurance, including auto, home, renter’s, boat, and more. You can file your claim online, or call Monday through Friday at 1-800-280-1466.

Email: Claims@thegeneral.com

Fax: 1-800-544-9021

Mailing Address:

6000 American Parkway
Madison, WI 53783‑0001

Remember to include your claim number on all correspondence.

How do I file an auto accident claim with Zurich Insurance?

Zurich Insurance offers home, auto, travel, and general liability insurance. You can file a claim online 24/7, or call 800-987-3373.

What you’ll need when you file a claim

When you’re preparing to file a claim, ensure you have the following information at hand:

  • Policyholder’s name and address
  • Policy number
  • Date the loss happened
  • Description of what happened
  • Your contact information

How does the insurance claims process work after a car accident?

Here’s a general overview of how the process works:

  • Report the loss. The first step is to report the loss or damage to your insurance company as soon as possible. This can typically be done by calling the insurer’s claims department or by submitting a claim online through their website.
  • Claim assignment. After you report the loss, the insurance company will assign a claims adjuster to your case. The adjuster is responsible for assessing the extent of the damage, investigating the claim, and determining the amount of compensation you are entitled to.
  • Documentation. You will be asked to provide documentation to support your claim. This may include photographs of the damage, police reports (in the case of accidents or theft), medical records (for health insurance claims), and any other relevant records or receipts.
  • Assessment. The claims adjuster will investigate the claim, which may involve an inspection of the damage, interviews with involved parties, and a review of the policy terms and conditions. The adjuster will assess the cause and extent of the loss.
  • Coverage determination. The insurance company will determine if the loss is covered under your policy. If it is, they will calculate the amount of compensation you are eligible to receive. If the loss is not covered, they will inform you of the denial and provide reasons for it.
  • Settlement offer. If your claim is approved, the insurance company will make a settlement offer. This offer will outline the amount they are willing to pay to cover your losses, minus any deductibles. You can either accept the offer or negotiate for a higher settlement if you believe you are entitled to more.
  • Acceptance or dispute. You can accept the settlement offer, in which case the insurance company will process the payment. If you disagree with the offer, you can dispute it through the insurer’s appeal process. Disputes may lead to further negotiations or, in some cases, legal action.
  • Payment. If you accept the settlement offer, the insurance company will issue a payment. This can be in the form of a check or a direct deposit into your bank account.
  • Repair or replacement. If the claim involves property damage, you can use the settlement money to repair or replace the damaged property. In some cases, the insurance company may pay the service provider directly.
  • Finalization. Once the claim is settled, and all necessary payments have been made, the insurance company will close the claim. Keep records of the claim process and all communication with the insurer for future reference.

You can handle an insurance claim on your own, but remember that these companies are in the business of making money. If you partner with a Vancouver, WA insurance attorney from Philbrook Law Office, however, we can handle every part of this process on your behalf, from communicating with the companies to negotiating a better settlement, and to representing you in court if that’s the best option.

How do insurance companies value a claim?

When determining compensation, it is typically pretty simple to figure out how much money you’ve spent and how much money you’ve lost due to your injuries and losses. However, there is no specific way to put a dollar amount on pain and suffering and other non-economic losses. This is when insurance companies use what’s called a “damage formula.”

During the personal injury settlement negotiation process, your insurance adjuster will add up the total medical expenses related to your injury. These are typically known as “medical special damages” or just “specials.” This is the base figure the adjuster will use to determine how much to pay you for pain, suffering, and other general damages.

In the case of relatively minor injuries, your adjuster will typically multiply the amount of special damages by 1.5 or 2. However, when the injuries are severe and long-lasting, the adjuster can multiply the amount of special damages up to 5. They then add on income lost as a result of your injuries.

The formula is typically medical specials multiplied by a number between 1.5 and 5, and then this is added to your lost income.

Remember, however, this is not your final compensation amount. This is the number from which your negotiations with the insurance company should begin. An experienced attorney from our firm can help you with this negotiation process.

What goes into a demand letter?

One of the steps we take is to send a demand letter to the insurance company. These letters typically:

  • Itemize all of your losses and expenses related to the crash (with receipts and bills as proof);
  • Explain how the other party’s actions (or inactions) were negligent, and led to your injuries and losses;
  • Analyzing the nature and extent of your injuries and the impact on your life; and
  • Suggest a fair and just compensation package designed to cover your expenses and make you whole again.

A demand letter creates a “paper trail,” of sorts, when it comes to your claim. It can force the other side to acknowledge the facts contained within it, and it categorizes the full extent of the harm you suffered in one place. One added benefit, though, is that it puts the insurance company on notice that you have retained counsel, and will not be pushed around by their legal team.

To learn more about how the attorneys at Philbrook Law can help you with your claim, talk to our Battle Ground and Vancouver, WA team today by calling our offices or filling out our contact form. We also proudly serve clients in Oregon.

Posted in Car Accident