In Case of an Accident,
Follow This Simple Checklist

Car accidents can be stressful events that raise dozens of questions at once. These following steps may help guide you through important decisions you need to make if you’ve been in an accident. To be best prepared keep relevant documents in your vehicle, such as registration, proof of auto insurance, your leasing agent’s name.

1. If possible, pull the vehicle to a safe area on the side of the road. Assess possible injuries to yourself or your passengers. Make sure everyone is okay. Call 911 if anyone is injured.




2. Once you’re assured everyone is okay, review the extent of the damage to the vehicle. If possible, take pictures of your vehicle from different angles, showing the damage done to both cars. It might also be a good idea to take pictures of the other car’s license plate.




3. If you are involved in a serious accident, let law enforcement know, especially if anyone is hurt. If necessary, the police will notify the nearest medical unit. Get the names and badge numbers of the officers on the scene and ask where you can get a copy of their accident report. Whether an accident is considered a minor fender-bender or a major collision, calling the police is important — and in some states, it’s legally required. The responding officers will fill out an accident report and document the scene.




4. Get the names of and contact information for everyone involved in the crash, including witnesses. Ask the other driver or drivers (if you are involved in a multi-car accident) for a license, car registration and insurance ID card, and get the makes and models of the cars involved. Take note of the location of the accident, time of day and the weather conditions.




5. If the police can’t come to the scene head to the nearest police department (or their website) to file an incident report and ask for a copy. Having an official report can help in case the other driver decides to sue for damages or medical injuries, or there is more damage done to your car than initially thought. And you will need to have the report when making your insurance claim.




6. Notify your insurance professional and begin the claims process. They can tell you exactly what they will need to in order to process your claim and what to expect during the claims process. Work with your insurance company as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to remember the details.

Direct Repair Programs
and Why They Can Hurt YOU

ProCare Collision Center is proud to be an independent body shop with no affiliation with insurance companies. Many consumers are unaware that many body shop and collision repair facilities are part of something called the Direct Repair Program, or DRP.

Those involved in a DRP become ‘preferred’ repair shops for insurance companies and must abide by their guidelines to maintain the relationship. What does this mean for you, the customer?

• To remain in the program, shops are graded on how quickly and inexpensively they can complete repairs. This means they could rush the job or use sub-par parts to meet the goals and get a good ‘grade’.
• The shop is answering to the insurance company first. When you work with a DRP shop, you and your vehicle are not their first priority. Their goal is to remain in good standing with the insurance company and they may compromise individual repair jobs to do so.
• It can often be less expensive to repair a part rather than replace it, even if replacing it is a safer and better option. DRP shops may cut corners such as repairing a part to meet their quotas and get the job done below budget.

Our team is committed to providing information about the dangers of DRP and maintaining our commitment to YOU, the customer. If you have any questions about DRP, please don’t hesitate to ask!