Filing an Automobile Accident Claim with Progressive: What You Need to Know
Filing a claim with an insurance company may seem like a simple matter, but before you know it, you can be locked into a cycle of being passed from person to person with no idea how to move forward. Flo makes things seem easy, but real life is no commercial.
Progressive is the third largest insurance carrier in the United States with a net income of $5.7 billion in 2020. They’re the number one insurer of commercial automobiles. In addition to that, Progressive is Lyft’s insurance of choice. So whether you’re driving yourself or in the back of a rideshare, you might have to deal with Progressive after an accident.
Like all insurance companies, Progressive’s bottom line looks better when they find ways to not pay you what your accident is worth. They’ll stall, overwhelm, and confuse you to the point where you’re ready to take whatever offer they make just to be done with the interaction.
It’s worth considering retaining an attorney, especially when dealing with commercial vehicles. Damages can be considerably higher in an accident with a commercial automobile, so they’ll be even more likely to find ways to make your price lower than it should be.
Any car wreck can be terrifying, but with someone by your side, filing a claim with Progressive can be quick and easy.
You’ve Been In An Accident. What Now?
After a car wreck, you might not immediately think of grabbing your phone to call the insurance company. Still, they need to be in the loop. Let’s look at the first steps to take.
1 – Seek Medical Attention if Necessary.
This is the most important. If someone in your accident has been seriously injured, you need to seek medical attention. Property damage is secondary. Make sure everyone is safe and healthy first.
2 – Gather Evidence.
Having the focus to make sure you have as much information as possible will set you up for success in the future. Get the other driver’s insurance information, preferably in a photo. Ask for their name, contact info, and license plate number. Take photographs of the scene, making sure to include any debris, skid marks, and the damage done to your vehicle.
There are other things to make note of, too. Witnesses who would be willing to give you their name and contact info and nearby businesses who might have caught the accident on their security cameras.
In some situations, you may need to call a police officer to the site. They’ll gather some of this information for you, but it’s always better to be proactive and get more than you need.
3 – Take Care Of Yourself.
Try to get seen by a primary care physician as soon as possible. Failing that, make a visit to an urgent care you trust.
Injuries can show up days after your wreck and you should prioritize your health and physical well-being. Otherwise, you may be stuck with medical bills because of lingering pains.
4 – Organize, Organize, Organize.
This whole situation is going to produce a lot of paperwork. Medical bills, insurance cards, information on lost wages, out of pocket repair expenses. Make sure you keep all of that close at hand. After all, you deserve to have it paid back by Progressive.
Contacting Progressive
Try to reach out to Progressive within a day or two. The longer you delay, the more likely you’ll be denied the right to compensation. Don’t give their adjusters the opportunity to keep money from you.
You can file your claim a few different ways.
- Call 1-800-776-4737.
- Using their mobile app.
- Going to the Progressive website at https://www.progressive.com/claims/
If you were in an accident as a passenger in a Lyft, you might want to take a moment to familiarize yourself with how insurance claims work for rideshare passengers.
During this process, you’ll get a claim number. You’ll need this number during the process, so make sure you keep it close at hand. Maybe with that handy file of evidence we talked about earlier.
Interacting With the Progressive Insurance Adjuster
One of the first things that comes to mind when people talk about Progressive are their ads. But you’re not going to be dealing with Flo or Dr. Rick. You’ll be dealing with an insurance adjuster.
Insurance adjusters aren’t there to make things easier; they’re in the process to save their company money. In order to do that, they’ll want to pay you less than what you deserve. They’re a billion-dollar company and the insurance adjusters are going to work to keep it that way.
Whether they try to deny your claim, find you partially at cause, or only want to pay you a portion of what you deserve, don’t let them railroad you. You were in the accident, and you deserve to be made whole.
Make sure you keep all of this in mind when you’re dealing with an adjuster. They’ll want to go over the details of your accident. Have your file of evidence nearby and, if you’re going in along, try to focus on these keys.
1 – Don’t Admit Fault
This is exactly what they’re looking for.
2 – Don’t Speculate. Stick to the Facts.
You don’t need to “guess” at why the accident happened. Stick to truthful statements that you’re sure of.
3 – Keep Your Answers Simple
The more you talk, the more likely you are to say something they can use against you. Make sure you stay focused and don’t offer information they didn’t ask about.
4 – Do Not Sign Anything Without Consulting an Attorney
They might give you an offer to make the problem go away. Progressive is probably looking for a quick settlement so they can move on. But having an attorney on your side is likely to pay off. Don’t leave money on the table by not asking for help.
Why Look For An Attorney?
Dealing with a car accident is probably the situation people handle the most that a lawyer should be handling. If you make the wrong choice, you could be losing out on thousands of dollars.
Our cars aren’t just tools. They’re investments in our lives. An accident doesn’t merely damage the car’s value, it keeps you from getting to and from work. If you’ve been injured, you may have to go on doctor’s visits or physical therapy. If your car is a total loss, you’ll be losing out on years of driving a perfectly fine car without a car payment.
When you get a personal injury attorney on your case, they’ll work to get you deserve out of Progressive and keep your life going at a normal pace.
At every step of this process, a Dunwoody Area Personal Injury Attorney can make your life easier.
Remember gathering evidence after the wreck? A Dunwoody Personal Injure Attorney can speak to the police on your behalf, help file your claims on time, keep your information straight, and use their experience in the field to negotiate with Progressive’s adjusters.
If the negotiations don’t go how you’d like, your attorney will be there to fight Progressive every step of the way. They’ll put in process lawsuits against liable parties and use their connections to find experts to explain your case to a judge or jury. They want you the get the maximum compensation and they’ll fight tooth and nail for it.
In addition, you might have been in a wreck with a commercial vehicle. There are laws you aren’t familiar with that they have to abide by. Having an experienced attorney who can explain them to you will help you feel more prepared.
This is what you have to remember – Progressive isn’t on your side. No matter how funny their ads are or how nice their adjusters may be. Their goal is to make sure the company leaves your accident satisfied. Going against a billion-dollar corporation alone can be daunting, but having the right attorney by your side can change the odds.
Nick Martin: Dunwoody’s Best Personal Injury Attorney
Filing an automobile claim with Progressive can seem simple, but what follows can be complex and confusing. You were just in a car wreck – you don’t need to be dealing with all of this mess.
Nick Martin is one of Dunwoody’s most trusted attorneys who knows all the tricks the insurance companies might throw at you. He’s ready to fight on your behalf.
If you or someone you know has been in an accident, don’t wait. Time is of the essence. Contact The Law Office of Nicholas P. Martin today at (770) 450-6155 or sign up on this website for a free consultation. Nick Martin won’t let you get less than you deserve.
Nick enjoys helping the people of Atlanta with their personal injury and fair labor issues. When he’s not working, Nick can be found woodworking, competitive rifle shooting, enjoying the outdoors, and spending time with his family.
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