FAQ
Should you have the misfortune of becoming involved in an accident while operating your motor vehicle, here are the things you should do as soon as possible.
I have been involved in an accident, what do I do?
- Check for injuries to yourself, your passengers and occupants of any other vehicles that may be involved.
- Call 911 immediately.
- When speaking with the police and/or emergency services follow their instructions.
- Contact your insurance agent to report the claim so we can assist you as quickly as possible.
- After hours, contact our emergency claims services at
1-877-666-0040 for assistance. - Provide your policy number to the operator along with loss details so that an adjuster can contact you to assist with your claim.
What information do I need from the other driver?
- Name
- Address
- Contact information
- Driver’s license number and province/state
- License plate number and province
- Insurance information
- Make and model of the other vehicle
- Names and contact information of any passengers or witnesses. Even if police are on the scene, you should still obtain as much of this information as possible for your own records. At times there can be a delay in us obtaining those details from the police officer until they file their report.
What if I cannot drive my car after an accident?
If coverage is in place on your policy, your adjuster will assist you in arranging a rental vehicle if your car is not safe to drive after an accident.
How do I start my claim?
Starting your claim with United General is very easy. Simply contact your agent to report the matter, our main office at 506-460-8820, or Toll-Free at 1-800-563-9363. Our promise to you is that an adjuster will be in touch with you as soon as possible to assist you with your claim. If the incident is taking place after hours, you may contact the 24 hours claim services line at 1-877-666-0040 for immediate assistance anywhere in North America.
Do I need to contact police to report every claim?
United General recommends that you report any accidents/incidents involving your vehicle to the local authorities (RCMP, City Police). The police will be able to instruct you on your next actions. They will give advice and collect important information and evidence that may be lost or unavailable once all parties leave the scene of an accident.
What do I do if my car is damaged in a hit & run?
It is a condition in your policy to report the matter to the police immediately. The sooner they have this information the better their chance of locating the responsible party.
How does United General handle my claim?
Our promise to you is to provide you with superior claims services from start to finish. We will be in touch with you through our staff adjusters and preferred independent adjusters every step of the way in order to give you personalized service. We pledge to make it as uncomplicated as possible.
Once I file a claim, when will I hear from United General?
If your claim is reported within regular business hours, our adjuster will be in contact with you on the same day. Should the claim be reported after hours, you will be contacted by our emergency adjuster within the hour of the claim being made.
When will my insurance claim be paid?
All claims are different, and the completion of this step will depend on the type of claim and time required to investigate and gather all the information. For straightforward vehicle damage claims, we pride ourselves on paying claims as soon as possible so repairs can be done at your earliest convenience.
What are my options for getting my car repaired?
At United General we believe in freedom of choice. Therefore, you may arrange to have the car repaired at any shop of your choice that is within your residential area. Once we know where you want repairs to be carried out, we will assign an automobile damage appraiser to meet with you and the shop to assess damages and determine a fair repair price.
Will repairs affect my warranty?
Repairs from an insurance claim will not affect factory warranties. You should check with the dealership where you purchased your car to confirm if the optional extended warranty may be affected by accident repairs. If so, obtain the recommendation from them for a certified repair shop in your area. Leased vehicles will also require repairs at that type of facility.
How do I pay my deductible?
Most of the time you will pay your deductible directly to the repair facility once they have completed repairs to your satisfaction. We will then cover the balance of the repair costs, after your deductible. The payment of your claim comes to you in a cheque issued payable to you and the repair shop. You would then deliver it to the shop and endorse it to pay for their work, provided you are satisfied with their workmanship.
What do I when my windshield is cracked?
A clean and clear windshield is essential for safe driving.
If you experience glass damage and have the coverage in place, you should take your vehicle to a glass repair shop of your choice. Some have the option of a mobile repair service so they can come to you. You can contact us for the names of glass repair shops in your area. The shop will contact our office directly for confirmation of coverage and deductible. You will pay your deductible to the shop and we will pay the difference.