So, you have some scratches on your car, do you need to file an auto insurance claim? You surely can, but you might want to really think about it first. One thing is for sure that every time you file a claim with your insurance company your premium will go up. This is one thing you have to consider. Are you willing to take that rise in premium in exchange to have a few scratches fixed?

Another thing you have to worry about is your deductible. Is your deductible more than it will cost to repair the scratches in the first place? If so, is it really worth filing the claim, seeing that rise in the premium, when you will have to pay for it out of pocket anyways? These are things to consider.

If after considering these elements, you still want to file an auto insurance claim here is how:

The first thing you must do is let your auto insurance company know about the incident right away. You will also want to take a look at your auto insurance policy and determine if you even have a claim to begin with. The amount of coverage, as well as the specifics will determine whether you can file a claim with your insurance company.

Next, you will want to write a claim statement. This statement will detail the events that led up to the damage, if you know them. If you had your car parked in a parking lot and noticed the damage when you went to get into your car, you might not know what happened. You will need to put this in your claim; you want to be as honest as possible.

Provide pictures to support your claim and detail the damage. The more details you provide of the incident and the damage, the better your chances of receiving approval of your claim. You also want to be certain that you understand your policy or policies as it stands right now.

Finally, make sure that you keep an account of everything that has to do with the claim that you are making. This means write down any discussions with the insurance company, the police, and so forth. Document dates, keep copies of all reports, receipts, and filings.

When you follow these tips, you will have no problems in filing an auto insurance claim when you need to repair damage that has been done to your vehicle.