Progressive Car Accident Insurance Claims in Ohio

Based out of Ohio, Progressive is probably most well-known known for its quirky spokeswoman (Flo) and her team of insurance enthusiasts seeking to get the best prices for policyholders.

For insured individuals who have faced bad faith tactics with Progressive auto insurance accident claims, Flo represents everything that’s wrong about seeking rightful compensation under an auto insurance policy.

In one particularly egregious case, Progressive actively participated for the opposing side after its own policyholder died in an accident. As her brother stated, the company paid for the victim’s killer’s defense.

However, you do have rights as a policyholder, and an attorney can help you protect them. At Kisling, Nestico & Redick, our Ohio insurance claims lawyers refuse to let companies take advantage of consumers. You pay your premiums in full and on time, so you’re entitled to fair treatment when filing auto insurance accident claims. Please contact our office at 1-800-HURT-NOW to set up a free consultation, and read up on some important general information.

About Progressive Insurance

Founded in 1937, Progressive took a different approach than what other insurance companies were doing at the time. Instead of focusing on statistically safer drivers and those in rural areas, Progressive targeted riskier motorists.

The company grew quickly over the next few decades, partially through innovation. The company was the first auto insurer to have a website and has dedicated significant effort to mobile apps.

Besides the case noted above, Progressive has also faced allegations of deceiving policyholders, spying on them at church, invasion of privacy, and fraud.

The company was also the defendant in a class action case brought by its own customers, who accused the company of misconduct in diminished value claims.

Filing Progressive Auto Insurance Accident Claims in Ohio

The claims process actually begins at the scene, in the immediate aftermath of a car accident. If Progressive insures you, there are certain steps you should take to prevent issues or delays with your first-party claim.

These tasks may vary depending on whether or not you’re hurt, but you should:

Call the Police

Dial 911 if anyone is badly injured or call a non-emergency number if the matter only involves property damage. Police will prepare an incident report, which could be a useful document for filing your claim.

Exchange Information

Get the contact and insurance details from all other motorists involved in the crash, and make notes if the driver is not the owner of the vehicle.

Don’t Mention Fault

In the heat of the moment, you may be tempted to apologize for your actions or make statements about your actions in the collision. Avoid all discussions that touch on fault or contributing factors.

Contact Your Insurance Company

You should start by contacting your own insurance company, whether it’s Progressive or another provider.

Gather Evidence

Your cell phone’s camera is a valuable tool at the scene of an accident, so use it to take photos and video of your surroundings. Capture images of all property damage and the physical characteristics of the scene, such as traffic signals, intersections, crosswalks, and curves in the road.

Compensation for Your Damages

Progressive auto insurance accident claims are assigned to a claims adjuster when you file a claim as a first or third party. From there, the process will be different depending on whether or not you’re the policyholder.

Property Damage Claims

If you were hit and a Progressive policyholder was at fault, you can seek compensation for the damage to your vehicle. The claims adjuster will provide instructions on getting estimates and arranging repairs. You can only recover compensation up to the policy limits.

If you are insured by Progressive and were at fault, you can only seek property damage if you carry collision coverage. Lenders usually require this type of policy add-on, but it’s not a legal mandate. Policyholders who opt out of collision coverage cannot recover compensation for repairs or vehicle replacement.

Injury Claims

Ohio law requires all drivers to carry bodily injury coverage in the amount of $25,000, but this amount is for the benefit of third-party victims. If a driver insured by Progressive hurt you, you could seek medical costs and lost wages.

Injury claims of Progressive policyholders are subject to the terms of your coverage. If you carry personal injury protection (PIP), you can file a first-party claim.

You may seek compensation for a percentage of your medical bills and lost income. Likewise, if an uninsured motorist hits you, and you have an add-on for such coverage, you can pursue an injury claim.

Protect Your Interests by Working with an Ohio Insurance Claims Lawyer

This overview of Progressive auto insurance accident claims may be useful, but it’s no substitute for the advice of a knowledgeable attorney. Insurance companies give you the run-around whether you’re a first-party policyholder or a third party, especially if you don’t have a lawyer to represent your interests. An insurance bad faith attorney can tell you more about your legal options after conducting a thorough case assessment. For more information, please call 1-800-HURT-NOW, or go online to reach Kisling, Nestico & Redick.