Claims Reporting

Here are some basic rules to follow immediately after getting into an accident. We hope you never need it, but it might be worth printing this page to keep handy in your glove compartment.

First things first - medical help and safety

Make sure you are safe from any oncoming traffic. Make sure no one is hurt. Stay calm.
Assess whether or not you need to address your safety or the safety of your companions
If anyone is hurt, call for emergency assistance immediately.
Do not assume that you are fine. Let someone know you are injured or get to a hospital or doctor if you have any doubt at all that you might be hurt.

Document the facts

If you have a camera or cell phone camera, take pictures of the event site and damage for your records. Be sensitive to priorities – people first, documentation second.

File an accident report. That means calling the police, your insurance company, or your local agent.

Note the date, time and location of the accident. Exchange insurance information with the other driver (if auto accident). Be sure to include the drivers’ names, phone numbers, license plates, and also descriptions of the vehicles involved.

Be sure your notes are extensive enough to prove useful later. In an accident involving a complicated intersection or multiple vehicles, it is not uncommon to recreate the scene by using a diagram of which car was where. For example, simply having the license plates noted won’t allow you to recall that it was the “blue SUV” that entered the intersection from the left, or the silver-blue pickup that ran the light at the same time.

Get the names of witnesses before they leave the scene.Get the name and department of the police officer on the scene.

In the case of a hit and run, jot down whatever information – even partial – that you have. This includes any description of the material items and people involved.

Most experts recommend discussing the accident with no one except the police or your insurance company. Do not admit fault or assess blame; it’s very human to feel at fault after an accident, even if you are not at fault legally!

Call Atchley & Associates Insurance Agency at 1-865-430-2264.

Remember that you may not be thinking clearly. If the police officer or emergency personal are still at the scene, don’t hesitate to put him or her on the phone in order to better describe the event that just occurred.
Call us immediately. Police and or emergency personnel reports take time to file, and speedy claims are expedited by your ability to provide information as quickly and accurately as possible

How are Claims Handled?

The Claim Process

An Atchley & Associates Insurance Agency Claims Professional will assist you in reaching a rapid resolution to your claim. By combining technology with a down-to-earth people approach, we're ready when you need us. Please keep the following in mind if you have an accident claim:

If you have yet to notify the authorities, please do so right away. By making a formal report of an accident to the proper agency, you protect yourself and preserve the facts.
Do not discuss the accident with anyone other than your <span class="B_italic">Atchley & Associates Insurance Agency</span> Claims Professional (or the authorities).
Help us provide the kind of claims service you deserve by providing your <span class="B_italic">Atchley & Associates Insurance Agency</span> Claims Professional with as much detail about the accident as you can.
Protect your property and yourself from further damage.

What if I am Not Insured with Atchley & Associates Insurance Agency?

If you are involved in an accident/event with someone insured by Atchley & Associates Insurance Agency, you should contact us directly at: 1-865-430-2264. Our Claims Professionals are ready 24 hours a day - 7 days a week - to take the information needed to begin processing your claim. Please call us right away even if:

You believe the claim may already be on file.
You have already reported the loss to your insurance company.

How Does Atchley & Associates Insurance Agency Handle Your Claim?

An Insurance Claims Professional will immediately begin processing your claim. After you report the accident/ event you can expect the following steps to be completed in a prompt, professional and courteous manner. An adjuster will be assigned to:

Verify all details of the claim.
Determine who is at fault.
Evaluate the amount of damages.

We need to appraise the damage to any insured item involved in the accident/event as quickly as possible.

If your insured item is "usable", the fastest way to appraise the extent of damage is to bring it to one of our conveniently located appraisal Facilities.
If your insured item is "usable" and you have not done so already, call our field claims representative and schedule an appraisal right away.

If our investigation determines that our insured is at fault we will:

Pay the amount the insured is legally responsible for, up to the limits of their coverage.

Regarding your automobile, always drive with your license, registration and insurance card handy. In the event of an accident or incident, you will have all the information you need at your fingertips.

Keep your insurance policy information current, this speeds all your insurance processes, including reporting and resolving your claims.

If an accident occurs, stay calm. Make sure you call the police and report your claim to Atchley & Associates Insurance Agency. Make sure you have written down the names, identification numbers and insurance information of others involved. If police or emergency personnel are there, get their names and the their organization's/department's location if possible.

Write down cross streets or landmarks when an accident/event has occurred.

If you have a camera or cell phone with camera handy, take some quick photos, this will be helpful in remembering the details.

It is generally recommended that you only discuss the details of the event with the police/emergency personnel and your Atchley & Associates Insurance Agency Claims representative.

Keep track of your paperwork, including the police/emergency personnel reports and the information of others involved.

Once you report your claim, keep your claim number along with your Atchley & Associates Insurance Agency Claims representative's name and phone number. This helps in case you have any questions or updated information for us regarding your claim. Your claims number and the name of your assigned claims representative will also speed processing.

Have questions about the claims process? We’ve got answers – take a look at our claims FAQs. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, give us a call at 1-865-430-2264.

1. How do I file a claim?

2. What are some tips for speedy claims filing?

3. What happens to my premium if I file a claim?

Since there are many kinds of claims – everything from a fender-bender to a total loss regarding real property – there’s no predicting exactly what will happen to your premium in the event of a claim. But don’t assume your rates will go up!

Generally speaking, you will not be penalized for something that has no bearing on how much risk you represent. Carriers certainly don’t have any intention of penalizing someone for something that is not their fault. But some things will cause your rates to increase, including:

Numerous claims over a short period of time
A history of reckless behavior.
Accidents due to DWI or DUI.

The best idea? Safe and responsible driving behavior. But accidents do happen – and when they do, we’re here to help.

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