Country-Wide now offers a mobile app to its customers to help smooth the claims process.

Anyone who has ever been in a car accident, even the most minor, knows that it is a scary experience. It is normal for our first response to be “Am I and my loved ones OK, physically?” Once you have established that health-wise everything is fine, now it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty of getting the help you need. But if you are like most people, it is probably hard to think about all the details of what you need to do once you have established that you are physically OK.

Insurance companies know this, and several have come up with an answer that streamlines the process that a car accident sets in motion: a mobile app designed to make the moments immediately following a car accident as stress-free as possible.

Large insurance companies such as Geico, AllState and State Farm offer their customers mobile apps, but did you know that smaller underwriters are also developing and making available mobile apps for their customers as well?

One example is Country-Wide Insurance. This family owned and operated insurance company was incorporated in New York State in December, 1963. It is licensed to write all types of property and casualty insurance, but has a special focus on lower limit private passenger and commercial automobile insurance. They also limit their reach to downstate New York, and offers competitive rates to loyal customers through their neighborhood representatives.

Now Country-Wide is joining insurance companies, big and small, to offer their customers an app for their smartphones which will help smooth the process of getting through a car accident. The app guides users through the necessary steps which must be taken after a car accident, such as collecting all the information required to file a claim; getting whatever emergency responders are needed on the scene as soon as possible; finding the closest towing service; and/or calling for roadside assistance.

The mobile app also helps with tips to remain calm; knows automatically the date, time and location of the accident; produces a detailed accident report, including photos and contact information; easily sends your report to any email address; and has within it answers to the most frequently asked claim-related questions.

It goes without saying that car accidents are extremely unpleasant affairs at their best, and should be avoided to the extent humanly possible. But it’s nice to know that if such an inconvenient and troublesome event were to take place, there is a small precaution you can take which can make a big difference. There is no question that it is a good idea to be prepared with such an app already downloaded on your phone in the hope that you will never have to use it- but if you do need it, you’ll be glad it was there for you.