What Happens If…

Take a breath and make sure everyone is safe first — that matters more than anything on paper. Call 911 if anyone is hurt, then exchange names, insurance information, and photos of both vehicles with the other driver. Document the scene: damage, road conditions, skid marks, anything that contributed.

Report the accident to your agent or carrier's claims line as soon as you can — most policies require prompt notice. If the accident was your fault, your bodily injury liability coverage pays for the other party's medical expenses and your property damage liability pays for their vehicle repairs, each up to the limits on your policy. Your own car is repaired under collision coverage, minus your deductible, if you carry it. If the other driver was at fault and uninsured, your uninsured motorist and collision coverage step in instead.

Keep your claim number, the adjuster's contact information, and a copy of the police report if one was filed. Even if the damage looks minor, document everything — injuries and repair costs sometimes surface days later.

Start by getting everyone away from the damaged area, and call 911 if there's any danger from downed power lines — never touch a tree resting on wires.

If the tree damaged your house, garage, or fence, your homeowners policy's dwelling and other-structures coverage typically pays for the repairs, minus your deductible. Most policies also cover a reasonable amount of the tree removal cost when it blocks a driveway or damages a covered structure. A tree that fell harmlessly in the yard, however, is usually your responsibility to remove. If the tree was healthy and a storm brought it down, you're in good shape; if a neighbor's neglected or dead tree caused the damage, your carrier may work with theirs to sort out responsibility.

Photograph everything before cleanup begins, do what you can to prevent further damage (tarps, temporary patching), and call your agent to file the claim promptly — rain coming through a new hole causes covered interior damage too, so don't wait to report it.