How To File a Car Accident Claim With Allstate

April 3, 2023 | Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers | Car Accident

Allstate Insurance Company is one of the largest automobile insurance providers in the United States. You might have your car insurance through Allstate or need to file a claim with them after a car accident caused by another driver. Either way, knowing how to deal with Allstate after a St. Petersburg car accident is helpful.

How To Contact Allstate Insurance and Report a Claim After a Car Accident

Many leading car insurance companies changed how they receive car accident reports. Instead of going to the agent’s office, you file the insurance claim online directly with the Allstate Claims Department.

Before contacting Allstate to report an accident, gather the necessary information to file a claim. In most cases, the crash report filed by the investigating officer provides much of the information you need to file a claim.

Information Allstate will ask for when you file a claim generally includes:

Your name, address, and contact number
The accident date, time, and location
Names, addresses, and contact numbers for the other drivers
The names and contact information of the vehicle owners, if different from the drivers
A description of the vehicles involved in the accident
The name and policy number of the insured party

You do not need all the information above to file an Allstate claim. Allstate should be able to locate the insurance policy based on information from the accident report.

Allstate encourages individuals to report accidents and file claims through their online portal or mobile app. The claims page is on the Allstate website. You can also call Allstate at 1-800-ALLSTATE (1-800-255-7828) to file a claim.

What Happens After I File an Allstate Insurance Claim for a St. Petersburg Accident?

Allstate investigates the claim by assigning an insurance adjuster to the case. The adjuster gathers evidence to determine how the accident occurred and who is responsible for causing the crash. You can only hold the other driver liable if they caused the car accident.

If the insurance company accepts liability for the claim, the company might make you an offer to settle the claim. However, the adjuster could ask you how much you want to settle the claim. It is best to let Allstate make the first settlement offer.

Generally, the initial offer is lower than the value of your damages. However, you can decline the settlement offer and make a counteroffer for a higher amount.

Most accident victims who sustain serious injuries can recover compensation for their financial losses or economic damages. They can also receive compensation for their pain and suffering. It can be more challenging to place a value on non-economic damages because they can be subjective.

If you are unsure how much your claim is worth, it is best to seek legal advice before accepting a settlement offer from Allstate. When you sign a settlement agreement, you release the parties from any further liability for your claim.

When Can I File an Allstate Claim Against the Other Driver’s Insurance Coverage?

Florida requires all drivers to have no-fault insurance (PIP) in the amount of $10,000. PIP coverage pays benefits to the policyholder or other covered individual regardless of who causes the car crash. Therefore, your first claim should be against your PIP coverage.

If Allstate provides your PIP coverage, you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident. Allstate’s no-fault insurance coverage in Florida pays up to 80% of your medical bills. It also pays up to 60% of your lost wages.

If you do not sustain an injury that requires emergency medical treatment, the benefits are limited to $2,500. Furthermore, PIP does not compensate you for other damages.

However, Florida insurance laws have an exception for serious injuries. If your injuries meet the serious injury threshold, you can file a claim against the at-fault driver for damages. Serious injuries typically mean something permanent or substantial.

The best way to know what type of Allstate insurance claim to file is to ask a lawyer. An attorney reviews your case to determine all possible sources of compensation for your damages.

How Can You Maximize the Value of a Car Accident Claim with Allstate?

The steps you take after a car accident can help you with Allstate insurance claims. Tips for dealing with Allstate auto insurance claims include:

Report the car accident immediately to the police by calling 911
Report the car accident to the insurance company as soon as possible
Do not admit fault for the car accident, including saying you are sorry or otherwise apologizing
Seek prompt medical care for your injuries and keep copies of all medical records
Limit your conversations with insurance adjusters, investigators, and agents
Do not agree to give a written or recorded statement
Always ask if telephone calls are being recorded
Do not answer questions that the adjuster does not ask
Do not accept the first settlement offer from Allstate

The best way to protect yourself and increase your chance of receiving a fair settlement is to hire an experienced St. Petersburg car accident lawyer to handle Allstate car insurance claims. Lawyers understand how Allstate handles claims, so they can protect your rights.

A car accident attorney recognizes bad-faith insurance practices and tactics used to undervalue claims. An attorney also understands the damages you are entitled to receive and how to value those damages correctly.

It is worth your time to meet with a St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer for a free consultation. At the very least, you can learn if an attorney can help you with an Allstate insurance claim and what your case might be worth.

Contact the St. Petersburg Personal Injury Law Firm of Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today

For more information, please contact Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in St. Petersburg today. We have five convenient locations in Florida, including Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey, and Lakeland.

We proudly serve Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Pasco County, Polk County, and its surrounding areas:

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
601 W Swann Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 223-6200

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
600 Bypass Dr Suite 224-D, Clearwater, FL 33764
(727) 493-4418

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg Office
111 2nd Ave NE Suite 350, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 314-5988

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
5006 Trouble Creek Rd Unit #200, Port Richey, FL 34652
(727) 910-5060

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Lakeland Office
1543 Lakeland Hills Blvd Suite 18, Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 251-6196