To file an insurance claim following an accident in Nevada, first, call a personal injury attorney to discuss how best to word the claim. Then contact the insurer by phone or submit the claim online. For car accidents involving another driver, be prepared to provide that driver’s name, insurance company, policy number, and driver’s license number if possible. The most important thing is not to admit fault.
At some point, an insurance adjuster will be in touch with the you about the status of the case.
Should I call an attorney before making a claim?
It is always advisable that people contact a Nevada attorney before calling the insurance company.
Following an accident like a car crash or a fire, a person is understandably shaken up. And they usually do not have the whole story yet. They may think they are at fault when they are not. And they may think they are uninjured when in fact they are.
An attorney will walk through the whole process so that you know exactly what to tell the insurance company without admitting fault or revealing any more information than necessary. An insurance company’s aim is to pay out as little as possible, so an attorney can help you set the stage to maximize the eventual payout.
How should I prepare for filing an insurance claim?
You should gather all the information available about the accident. Ideally, you should photograph or videotape the aftermath of the accident as well as collect the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses.
You should also write down everything they remember, including such details as the weather and road conditions (if applicable). Memories fade quickly, and what seems like a minor detail may become important later on in determining fault and eventually money damages.
How do I file a claim in Nevada?
Every insurance company has a special claims phone number or website where people can submit their claims online. The contact information for some of the larger insurance companies are:
|
Insurer |
Claim number and website |
| Allstate | 1-800-255-7828 |
| American Family | 1-800-692-6326 |
| Farmers | 1-800-435-7764 |
| Geico | 1-800-841-3000 |
| Liberty Mutual | 1-800-225-2467 |
| MetLife | 1-800-854-6011 |
| Nationwide | 1-877-669-6877 |
| Progressive | 1-800-776-4737 |
| State Farm | 1-800-732-5246 |
| Travelers | 1-800-252-4633 |
What information do I need to provide the insurer?
For car accidents that involve another driver, insurers may ask for the other driver’s:
- Name
- Insurance company and policy number
- Driver’s license number
- VIN number (if possible)
Insurers will also ask for details of the accident, so you should recite what happened with no more specifics than necessary. You should also not admit fault even if they are sure they caused or partially caused the accident: The insurance adjuster’s investigation may bear out that you were in fact a victim.
People involved in multi-vehicle accidents are usually required to notify their insurance company.
Am I required to file a claim after an accident?
Every insurer has its own rules depending on the type of accident. For car accidents, it is usually necessary to notify the insurance company. But drivers in a one-car accident with no injuries to other people’s property should not have to contact the insurer if they intend to pay for any repairs themselves.
See our related article, 10 Critical Steps to Take After a Nevada Car Accident.
