1. Make sure no one is seriously injured check that you and anyone else involved are okay. If anyone is seriously injured, call 911 right away or ask for help from someone who can.

2. Move to safety if you are able, move to an area where you are visible to other drivers. If possible, move your vehicle out of the road, turn your vehicle off and turn on your hazard lights to alert other motorists. 

3. Stay calm try to remain as calm as you can; do not leave the scene of the accident, and do not admit fault. Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved, gather names and contact information for any witnesses, document important information about the accident scene and photos of damage to all vehicles/property involved.

4. Call the police even if no one was hurt the police should be called and a report filed if other people, cars, or property are involved in the accident. Only answer questions asked by the police. Do not otherwise discuss the accident or sign any documents. Be sure to get the reporting officer's contact information and a copy of the police report if possible.

After the initial incident is handled and you've completed the checklist, who should you call first?  
If someone was seriously injured in the accident, it is important that you call your auto insurance company's claims department as soon as you're able.
If injury is not a factor,  please call our office as soon as possible so that we can help you assess your claim.

1. Make sure you're safe if your home has been damaged extensively, even if it is in just one area or single room, do not go back inside the home for any reason until emergency personnel or government officials have cleared the property and determined that it's safe for you to reenter. Pay attention to your surroundings in the aftermath of disaster and avoid hazardous situations like standing water after a storm, collapsed walls, etc.

2. Mitigate further damage by turning off gas, water, and electricity, and placing tarps or plywood over damaged roofs or other areas allowing water or wind through. Your responsibility as the homeowner is to prevent as much additional damage as you can.

3. Try to remain calm and organized of course, the aftermath of disaster can be highly emotional and chaotic. Staying as calm as you can in times like these will help you to stay organized as you prepare to file a claim and throughout the claims process. Find an organized way to keep all photos of damage, documentation of the event that occurred and receipts/invoices for materials or labor related to your loss so you're ready to provide these items if needed.

4. Call your agent as soon as you can so that we can assist you in assessing your situation. From determining your next steps and how to move forward, to providing policy information, contact information and resources, we're here to help you through a loss.

If it is determined that filing a claim is the best course of action, we can provide you with additional resources to help you stay informed and organized through that process.