Enrichment · Life Skills

Every photo and number
for the claim, in one place.

After a crash, a parking-lot dent or a hailstorm, a claim goes faster when the evidence is organized. Record what happened as facts, the police report, the other driver’s insurer, your claim number and adjuster, every estimate, and a checklist of ten pieces of evidence. The organizer shows what is still missing and how long it has been.

Start an incidentWhat you get
$5one-time · every device you sign in on
Buy · $5

Included with the Caveat Academy pass and Whole-school licenses. Or get it in the Life skills kit, $29 for 30 items.

Incidents

The worked example is made up, including the insurer, claim numbers and plates: a rear-end crash, a parking-lot dent and hail damage. Saved on this device only.

Loading the incident form. If nothing appears, turn on JavaScript.

What you get

Enrichment · Life Skills$5

What you finish with
A record per incident: date, time, kind, place, what happened as facts, injuries, the police report, the other driver’s initials, insurer and plate, the date reported, claim number, adjuster, repair estimates and ten pieces of evidence. Shows days since, evidence collected and the estimate range; flags injuries, a missing police report, a claim not reported, missing photos or insurance card, fault words in your own account, a single estimate and footage to ask for now.
Who it is for
New and experienced drivers, high school and college students who drive, parents of teen drivers, and teachers of personal finance or driver education.
Format
Browser organizer with a saved record per incident. Prints one incident for your adjuster, all incidents in a table or a blank sheet for the glove box; downloads a spreadsheet (.csv); exports and imports a file.
Access
$5 one-time, yours on every device you sign in on; the tool opens once you are signed in with it. Included with the Caveat Academy pass and Whole-school licenses. Also in the Life skills kit ($29) and the Enrichment Suite pass ($119), and 1 more bundle. Everything you type stays in this browser; nothing is sent to Caveat.
Where it lives
The Life Skills space in Caveat Enrichment.
Support
Questions about access, an order or a correction: team@caveatacademic.com.

How to use it

  1. Print a blank sheet for the glove box before you need it.
  2. At the scene, after safety, take photos and exchange information.
  3. The same day, add the incident and write what happened as facts.
  4. Report it to your insurer and add the claim number.
  5. Add each estimate and tick evidence as you collect it.

Start an incident

Evidence that settles claims

The first hour after a crash1Safety firstCheck for injuries; call 911if anyone is hurt or traffic2Move and markIf safe and allowed, move outof traffic; turn on hazards.3ExchangeNames, phones, insurers,policy numbers, plates.4PhotographWide shots first, then everydent, the road, signs and skid5Facts onlyTell police what happened; donot argue about fault at the6Report itCall your insurer the same dayor as soon as you can.The first hour after a crash1Safety firstCheck for injuries; call 911 if anyoneis hurt or traffic is dangerous.2Move and markIf safe and allowed, move out oftraffic; turn on hazards.3ExchangeNames, phones, insurers, policy numbers,plates. Photograph the cards.4PhotographWide shots first, then every dent, theroad, signs and skid marks.5Facts onlyTell police what happened; do not argueabout fault at the scene.6Report itCall your insurer the same day or assoon as you can.
Most of the evidence an adjuster wants is easiest to get in that first hour, and hardest to get a week later.

Facts, not fault

Insurers decide fault from the evidence and the policy, and in some states shared fault reduces what each side recovers. Describe what happened (where, when, what moved, what was hit) and leave apologies and guesses out of written accounts.

Prompt notice

Most auto policies require you to report an accident promptly, even when you are not sure you will make a claim. Late notice can complicate a claim. Your policy’s own wording is what counts.

Your state’s rules

Whether a police report is required, the damage amount that triggers a report to the state, and how fault is shared all vary by state. Your state’s department of motor vehicles and insurance department publish the rules.

Sources

  1. Insurance Information Institute, What to do if you are in a car accident; How to file an auto insurance claim (iii.org).
  2. National Association of Insurance Commissioners, A Consumer’s Guide to Auto Insurance (content.naic.org).
  3. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Road safety information (nhtsa.gov).
  4. Your state insurance department and department of motor vehicles: reporting thresholds and fault rules (listed at content.naic.org/state-insurance-departments).

The worked example is made up; the insurer, claim numbers and plates are invented. This organizer keeps your records; it is not legal or insurance advice, and your policy and state rules come first. Use initials for people. Nothing you type is sent to Caveat. Support: team@caveatacademic.com.