How to Handle an Auto Accident

Tips that can help during an auto accident

How to Handle an Auto Accident: A Step-by-Step Guide

Auto accidents can be stressful and overwhelming, regardless of the severity. Knowing what to do immediately after an accident can help you stay calm, ensure everyone’s safety, and protect your interests. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to handle an auto accident effectively.

Step 1: Ensure Safety and Assess Injuries

1. Check for Injuries: Immediately check yourself and any passengers for injuries. If anyone is injured, call 911 for medical assistance. Do not attempt to move injured individuals unless they are in immediate danger (e.g., from oncoming traffic or a fire).

2. Move to Safety: If the accident is minor and your vehicle is drivable, move it to the side of the road to avoid obstructing traffic. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers. If the vehicle cannot be moved, stay inside with your seatbelt fastened until help arrives.

Step 2: Call the Authorities

1. Contact the Police: Even for minor accidents, it’s important to have a police report. The report provides an official record of the accident, which can be valuable for insurance claims. When the police arrive, provide an accurate account of what happened, but avoid admitting fault.

2. Gather Information: While waiting for the police, collect information from the other driver(s) involved, including:

- Names and contact details

- Insurance company and policy number

- Driver’s license number

- Vehicle make, model, and license plate number

Step 3: Document the Scene

1. Take Photos and Videos: Use your smartphone to take pictures and videos of the accident scene, including:

- Damage to all vehicles involved

- Your injuries and those of your passengers

- Traffic signals and road conditions

- Any relevant skid marks or debris

2. Identify Witnesses: If there are any witnesses to the accident, ask for their contact information in case their testimony is needed later.

Step 4: Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company

1. Contact Your Insurer: Notify your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. Provide them with all the information and documentation you have collected.

2. Understand Your Coverage: Review your insurance policy to understand your coverage and how it applies to the accident. This includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage details.

Step 5: Seek Medical Attention

1. Visit a Doctor: Even if you feel fine, it’s wise to seek medical attention after an accident. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, and a medical evaluation can ensure your health and well-being.

2. Document Medical Expenses: Keep records of all medical visits, treatments, and expenses related to the accident. This documentation will be important for insurance claims or potential legal action.

Step 6: Keep Detailed Records

1. Maintain an Accident File: Create a file to store all documents related to the accident, including:

- Police reports

- Insurance correspondence

- Medical records

- Repair estimates and bills

2. Track Communication: Keep a log of all conversations with insurance companies, medical providers, and any legal representatives involved in your case.

Conclusion

Being involved in an auto accident can be a daunting experience, but knowing how to respond can make the process smoother and less stressful. By following these steps, you can protect yourself, ensure everyone’s safety, and take the necessary actions to handle the aftermath of an accident effectively. Remember, staying calm and organized is key to managing the situation and safeguarding your rights.

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What is Gap Insurance?

By Justin Sonon • September 10, 2025

Gap Insurance: Dealer Add-On vs. Auto Insurance Policy — Which Is the Smarter Choice? Buying a new car is exciting, but it also comes with financial risks. The moment you drive off the lot, your vehicle starts to depreciate in value. If your car is ever totaled or stolen, your standard auto insurance typically pays out the actual cash value, not the balance left on your loan or lease. That’s where Gap Insurance comes in. Short for Guaranteed Asset Protection, it covers the “gap” between what your vehicle is worth and what you still owe your lender. Why You’ll Hear About Gap Insurance at the Dealership When you’re finalizing your purchase, the finance manager often offers Gap Insurance as an add-on. Convenience : You can roll it right into your financing paperwork. Cost : This convenience comes at a price. Dealers typically charge $400– $900 as a one-time fee, and because it’s financed, you’ll also pay interest on it. Commitment : Once it’s bundled into your loan, you’re locked into that cost even if your balance drops faster than expected. For example: if you buy a $30,000 SUV and total it a year later when it’s worth only $24,000, but you still owe $28,000, the dealer’s Gap Insurance would cover the $4,000 difference. Useful—but not always cost-effective. Gap Insurance Through Your Auto Insurance Policy What many car buyers don’t realize is that they can add Gap Insurance directly to their auto insurance policy. Lower Cost : Most carriers charge just $20–$40 per year for the same protection. Flexibility : You can add or remove the coverage as your loan balance changes. Same Protection : It covers the same difference between your loan and your vehicle’s actual cash value. In the SUV example above, adding Gap Insurance through your policy would provide the same $4,000 protection—but at a fraction of the cost. Which Option Is Best? If you like convenience and don’t mind paying more, the dealership option works. If you want long-term savings, adding Gap Insurance to your auto policy is almost always the smarter financial choice. At Sonon Insurance , you can explore whether adding Gap Insurance to your auto policy makes more sense for your wallet. Because protecting your vehicle, and your finances, shouldn’t cost more than it has to.

What Is Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance Coverage?

By Justin Sonon • August 26, 2025

Why “Cancel for Any Reason” Travel Insurance Might Be the Best Thing Since Rolling Suitcases Picture this: you’ve been dreaming about your big trip. Tickets booked, bags packed, playlist ready. Then life happens, your cat decides to swallow a Lego, your boss suddenly “remembers” a big project, or you realize that a trip to a tropical island during monsoon season wasn’t your brightest idea. Normally, this is when you’d be stuck with the sad sound of money swirling down the drain. But if you’ve got travel insurance with Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage , you can laugh in the face of chaos (well, at least chuckle a little). The Perks of CFAR Coverage—With a Side of Humor 1. You Don’t Need a Good Excuse Traditional insurance : “Sorry, that doesn’t count unless your appendix explodes mid-flight.” CFAR coverage: “You woke up and decided you’d rather binge-watch Netflix in sweatpants than fly across the ocean? Cool—we’ve got you covered.” 2. You’re Protected From Family Shenanigans Maybe your cousin suddenly schedules their wedding the same week as your dream cruise. With CFAR, you can cancel the trip and still show up awkwardly holding the world’s most boring salad bowl from their registry. 3. Weather Can’t Ruin Your Parade Who among us hasn’t booked a beach vacation only to arrive during torrential rain? With CFAR, you can check the forecast a few days before and bail, saving yourself from 7 days of Monopoly in a damp hotel room. 4. Peace of Mind for the Overthinker For those who like to plan Plan A, B, and C… and a backup Plan D (just in case aliens land), CFAR is like a security blanket. You don’t have to justify your panic. Cancel. Reschedule. Repeat. 5. Because Sometimes, You Just Don’t Feel Like It Life’s unpredictable. Maybe you’re not sick, maybe no one died, maybe nothing dramatic happened…you just don’t want to go anymore. CFAR says, “That’s enough reason for us.” The Fine Print (Without the Boring Lecture) Most CFAR plans will reimburse up to 75% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs—as long as you cancel within the allowed timeframe (usually 48 hours before departure). But hey, that’s a whole lot better than the 0% refund you’d otherwise get for your spur-of-the-moment decision to stay home with your dog. Final Boarding Call Travel is supposed to be fun. Worrying about “what if I need to cancel?” isn’t. That’s why Sonon Insurance recommends adding CFAR coverage to your travel insurance, so whether it’s a real emergency or just an “I’d rather not,” you won’t lose everything you invested in your adventure. Because at the end of the day, sometimes the best trip… is the one you didn’t take.