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How to File Car Insurance Claims in Foreign Countries
Car insurance claims in foreign countries can be a complicated processes. If you are involved in an accident overseas, your US car insurance might not be valid there. Therefore, it’s important to know how to file a claim in a foreign country.
Do Your Homework
Before embarking on a journey abroad, find out all you need to know about that country’s road rules.
- Learn about the driving conditions
- Go online and understand their driving rules
- Contact the American Embassy for additional information
- Speak to friends who have been there
- Do a survey and get the best deal on auto insurance coverage abroad
Get the Right Insurance Coverage
If you want to drive your car or a rented vehicle in a foreign country, make sure you have the right insurance coverage. Do extensive research on the best insurance coverage, and get a fair idea on the driving rules and road conditions of that country. Go online and scan the different policies available. As this might take some time, plan the trip in advance and start the search as soon as possible. If you intend to use a rented car, make sure the right travel car insurance is in place. Obtain an international driving license before you hit the road. If you are satisfied with the insurance coverage you have, call your insurers and get the proper coverage for the place you’re traveling to.
Gather Information
If you’re involved in a car accident abroad, the first thing to do is call the police. Contact local authorities immediately. Not knowing all the rules, you could get cheated. Ask the officer for the car accident report. Take pictures of the vehicles involved in the accident. It’s important that you get the names and address of every person involved. This is should not be neglected, as your insurance company will want to contact these people before awarding you a car insurance claim.
File a Claim
Most companies will require that you return to the US to file a claim. Check with your insurance company to find out their rules. The process, however, is the same. The best thing to do is to contact your company and ask for step-by-step guidance on filing a claim. Ask as many questions as possible, so that you are awarded the claim quickly and do not have to return to the foreign country to get it settled. Some companies have their representatives in several countries. They will assist you.
Knowledge of how to file a car insurance claim and how to be prepared in case of an accident is important. Understanding how to go about the whole process will make the experience less traumatic.
