Travel Prepared With WreckCheck – The App You Need in an Accident
By: Ashley
If you have ever been in a car accident, you know it can be a horribly stressful shock 
inducing experience. Unfortunately I can say that I know that feeling first hand. Lucky for me, it wasn’t an accident where anyone was seriously injured, and everything turned out just fine. I tend to do pretty good in emergency situations, it’s not until afterwards that I fall apart. When you’ve been in an accident though, nothing seems easy… and yet there’s so much that you’re supposed to know. What information do you need to get from the other driver? What information should you give out? Do you need to take pictures? How do you make sure you don’t forget it all? When you’re in the middle of an accident or a wreck, working through the answers to these questions is nearly impossible.
Recently, I learned about a new app called Wreck Check. This is a free app (WreckCheck on iPhone and WreckCheck on Droid) put out by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). It is designed to guide you through the steps to take following an accident. It helps drivers figure out what details are important when filling out an insurance claim. It even allows you to collect the information on site and immediately email it to yourself and your insurance agent.
I’ve taken a look at Wreck Check and I can really see how it would come in handy after an accident. I think the biggest thing to know about Wreck Check though, is that you really need to use it BEFORE you are actually in an accident. First of all, there is a great list of tips for those involved in accidents that you really should read to be an informed driver. Second, if you never access WreckCheck until your actually in an accident, you will miss some of its great features due to the stress of the moment.
What exactly does WreckCheck look like? Here are a few of my favorite features:
There is a really easy to use interface that walks you through the information you should collect in the unfortunate event of a car accident.
The app connects directly to your phone’s camera and recording system to collect images and statements from the scene.
The general information fills in automatically (at least on iOS) which is incredibly helpful. Though it shows blank in this screen shot, the date, time, and location will fill in automatically. It may sound simple, but figuring out an address when you’re in an accident can be far from easy.
WreckCheck is an extremely valuable app to have if you get to know it. I think it’s one of those apps worth having on your phone, but hoping that you never really have to use. It’s good to be prepared and informed though – both things that WreckCheck can help you with. You should definitely learn more about WreckCheck online.
Winner is
Cori
About Ashley (Managing Editor at MomStart): Ashley is a mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and former teacher working to navigate through the mysterious world of Mommyia. Read more about her adventures at Momicles and follow her @Momicles2010 .
Disclosure – This is a compensated post. All opinions expressed are my own.
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The tip about not being rushed into anything or pushed to agree with something really resonated with me. I can see feeling really worried and stressed in the aftermath of an accident, and it would be really important to just slow down and understand the steps in the claim process and what my options are.
I liked that it warned against letting your ID be photographed. In today’s day and age it is so quick and easy to snap a picture and in the stress following an accident you might not think to protect your identity!
The tip about not being rushed into anything
The tip about photographing your ID
what info you need from the other driver
The picture taking tips
steps to take after a accident
I downloaded this app, and one of the things I really love about it is that it records the exact place and time of the incident. It can be very easy to get a little confused when something like this happens, so it is great that it records those relevant details for you. I like the tip about keeping your identity secure!
Thanks!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
I like the tip of knowing who is responsible for paying what. I really didnt even think about that so it would feel better knowing as much as possible if an accident does happen.
I like the step to take – at a time of an accident it is hard to think
I think the best tip is to not feel rushed or pressured by your insurance company. They want to settle it and settle it fast, but you have a right to make sure you are getting the best deal and the best adjuster!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
I like the tip about not feeling pressured into doing anything with the insurance company. I think many of us sometimes assume that there is no reason for an insurance company to not be honest about things. So I’m going to do my own research if Im ever in a car accident.