At Belmont Assurance Agency, we believe good advice is your best insurance — and that extends to how we guide clients through a claim. The following tips outline the practical steps to take after an incident so that your claim is handled quickly and fairly.
Whether the event involves trucking and auto liability, cargo, workers' compensation, general liability, or property, notify our claims department or your insurance carrier right away and let your adjuster coordinate investigation, documentation, and resolution.
Trucking and auto liability
Check for injuries first — when in doubt, call an ambulance. If the accident is minor with no serious injuries, move vehicles to a safe place out of moving traffic, turn on hazard lights, and use cones, warning triangles, or flares. Call the police even for minor accidents so there is an outside confirmation that the accident occurred, and obtain contact information for the other party or parties.
Notify your carrier promptly
Notify our claims department or your insurance carrier right away and have the insured driver complete an auto accident report while details are still fresh.
Do not sign any documents unless they are for the police, and do not accept fault for the accident.
Stay calm, state only the facts, and if possible photograph the accident scene before leaving.
Cargo and property
Do not discard any damaged items — the insurance adjuster will need this evidence. Keep all receipts and bills; a bill of lading is typically required to settle trucking cargo claims. For any refrigeration breakdown claim, obtain evidence of mechanical breakdown from a professional mechanic.
Protect your cargo or property from further harm or loss — hang tarps, board windows, or trans-load to another trailer and complete delivery when possible. Call Belmont Assurance Agency's Claims department or your carrier to report the loss, and in the event of a fire obtain the fire department incident number so the report can be pulled.
Step 1: Secure the scene
Check for injuries and move to a safe location
Step 2: Document
Take photos, notes, and gather witness information
Step 3: Notify
Call Belmont Assurance Agency's Claims department to report
Workers' compensation and general liability
Additional guidance for the two claim categories that create the most questions for clients and their staff.
If appropriate, offer first aid. Otherwise, refer your employee to an Occupational Health Clinic; for serious injuries, transport them to the nearest emergency room. The choice of medical providers differs by jurisdiction — our Claims department can provide additional information.
Most states have minimum and maximum rates. Typically the temporary total-disability rate is 2/3 of the employee's average weekly wage and is a tax-free benefit. Lost-time benefits commence after a waiting period of 3–7 days depending on the jurisdiction.
Inform your employee that most states have a fee schedule which prevents doctors and hospitals from balance-billing them. Eligible medical benefits often include chiropractic, doctor, hospital, and physical therapy services — check your state's website for employee and employer rights.
If a slip-and-fall occurs from a foreign substance, mark off the area and arrange immediate clean-up. Offer first aid if needed, but never admit fault or commit to paying medical bills — let the insurance company handle that decision. For product claims, preserve the evidence.
Fax or email any lien letters, attorney letters, suit papers, or similar documents directly to the claims adjuster. Do not make offers to settle a claim — allow the insurance company to handle all offers — and do not hire counsel without first checking with your insurance carrier.