A policyholder's duties after a loss can vary depending upon the guidelines of the insurance company which they are insured through.Most insurance companies have a section in your insurance policy that covers your "duties after a loss."

Even though each insurance company has their own rules for this the basic responsibilities of an insured after a loss usually include:

• Notifying your insurer as soon as practically possible
• Notifying the police for an accident report or in case of a theft
• Protecting the property from further damage

Other duties might include showing the damaged vehicle to the insurance company before making repairs or getting rid of the vehicle.Your auto insurance policy should itemize specific duties that you as an insured are responsible for after an accident or loss.

Read through the "duties after a loss" section of your car insurance policy and contact your insurance agent if you have any questions regarding the procedures.

If you are in the market for car insurance, get a quote here from an auto insurance specialist.