How do you file a car insurance claim?

It’s no secret that getting behind the wheel can be rife with risks, even for the safest drivers. From dings and fender-benders to more serious collisions, driving has a unique set of challenges that most car owners are well-versed in. 

But as a driver, what should you do when the inevitable happens and you eventually find yourself involved in an auto accident?

Read more about filing a car insurance claim and what to expect during the claims process.

What is a car insurance claim?

A car insurance claim is a request for financial compensation or reimbursement from an insurance company to cover the cost of repairs, losses, and injuries related to an auto accident or vehicle damage.

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How to File a Car Insurance Claim

Although car accidents are unpleasant, most drivers will probably have to file a car insurance claim at some point in their lives if they’re on the road long enough. Knowing the steps for making a car insurance claim can help reduce stress and confusion in the event of an accident.

Step One: Gather Documentation and Information

If you’re in an accident or your vehicle has sustained damage, put safety first. If you or anyone else involved in the accident is injured or needs medical attention, call 9-1-1 before doing anything else. In a natural disaster or storm, ensure conditions are safe before getting out of your vehicle. 

Once you’ve determined the situation is safe, do the following,

• Take photos of the damage to your vehicle and property, other vehicles and property involved in the accident, and the surrounding scene. 
• Take detailed notes of the location, time, and date of the incident, as well as the names, license plate numbers, phone numbers, cars, makes and models, and insurance policy information of any other individuals involved in the accident.
• Gather the names and contact information of witnesses.
• Avoid apologizing, and don’t admit fault or accuse anyone else of fault. Leave those determinations up to officials, even if you’re sure you weren’t responsible for the accident.
• Cooperate with officials that respond to the incident. If you were in an accident, provide the officer with as much information as possible. If your car was stolen, provide the officer with a detailed description of your vehicle, including registration information and license plate number. Make sure to collect the officer’s badge number and phone number to follow up with questions.
• Keep receipts related to towing and other services that resulted from the incident. Depending on your insurance coverage, you might be able to receive a reimbursement for those expenses from your insurance provider later.

Depending on the laws in your state, the police and insurance company will assess where fault applies to the situation. The amount of your insurance claim will be determined by your level of fault. 

Step Two: File a Police Report

State laws vary in their requirements for reporting accidents to the police. While some states require drivers to report all accidents, others don’t. In others, it’s only necessary to file a police report if an accident meets specific criteria. Because of those differences, it’s good practice to call the police after an accident to see if it’s necessary to file a report.

Step Three: Contact Your Insurance Company

It’s important to report an accident and start the car insurance claim process as soon as possible after an accident. However, knowing which insurance company to contact can sometimes confuse drivers because of differences in state laws regarding fault and individual policy coverage. 

If you are at fault for an accident, you should file a claim with your insurance company. Depending on state laws, if the other driver is at fault, you should how file a claim on someone else’s car insurance (often referred to as a “third party claim”).

Once you’ve determined which insurer to file a claim with, you can start the claim process by calling the insurance company and reporting the incident. Some larger insurance companies also offer the option of opening a claim online.

Be prepared to provide the following information when contacting the appropriate insurance company:

• The date, time, and location of the accident or damage
• A general description of what happened and any relevant damages or injuries
• The covered vehicle involved in the incident
• Who was driving the vehicle
• The names and insurance information of any other drivers involved in the accident
• Witnesses’ names and contact information
• Police report number, if applicable

When filing a car insurance claim, remember to take notes and write down the claim number as well as the name and phone number of the representative you spoke to. This information can help you follow up with your insurance company to ask questions about your claim later in the process if needed. 

After filing a claim with the appropriate insurance company, the insurer will assign an adjuster to evaluate the claim. 

Read More:

• How long do car repairs take after an accident?
• What do I do if my car got rear ended?
• Can you ask your insurance company to total your car?

Step Four: Speak With the Insurance Adjuster

After a claim has been filed, an insurance adjuster will probably reach out to you to gather more information about the accident or damage to your vehicle. When speaking to the adjuster, there are a few things drivers should keep in mind.

• Remember that your conversation is likely being recorded to evaluate fault. If you are filing a personal injury claim, it might be smart to contact an attorney before speaking to the adjuster.
• Stick to the basic facts and abstain from adding speculative details to your description of the accident or incident.
• Provide the adjuster with photo documentation and notes you took after the accident, including witnesses’ names and contact information.
• The adjuster might inspect the damages to the vehicle personally. Alternatively, they might request that you drop the vehicle off at a certified repair shop to be inspected. (For more information, read our “Can my car insurance company make me use a specific car repair shop?“).

Remember that the insurance adjuster is not your advocate and may not return with a settlement offer you think is fair. Consider hiring an attorney if you have an expensive claim or suffered serious injuries after an accident. 

Read more: What do Do if You Disagree With the Car Insurance Adjuster

Step Five: Review the Insurance Adjuster’s Report

After the adjuster has evaluated the details of the car insurance claim, including damage to the vehicle and the level of coverage provided by your policy, they will issue a report that includes an initial estimate for the cost of repairs. Your insurance company will then use this estimate to determine how much they will pay for vehicle repairs.

Step Six: Accept the Offer of Payment

Once the insurance policy has issued an amount they are willing to pay for repairs, the adjuster will authorize a final payment. You must sign a release acknowledging payment in full for your car insurance claim to accept the offer.

When to Make an Insurance Claim

You should file a car insurance claim as soon as possible after your vehicle is damaged or involved in an accident or when you or your passengers sustain injuries related to an accident. 

It’s important to remember that different types of car insurance cover different kinds of damage. Before starting a claim, ensure your car insurance policy provides the appropriate coverage for the type of accident or damage that occurred. 

For example, while collision insurance typically covers damage to your vehicle incurred during an accident, liability insurance will only cover damages and injuries you cause to others.

Read more: When should I drop collision coverage?

How long do you have to file an insurance claim?

Depending on your car insurance policy and provider, there could be a deadline for filing an auto insurance claim after an accident or vehicle damage. It’s best to refer to your policy or ask your insurance provider whether a deadline applies to your situation before starting the claims process. 

Some states — especially those with no-fault insurance — have specific rules for how long drivers have to file a car insurance claim after an accident or when vehicle damage occurs. Each state’s legal statute of limitations on insurance claims is listed below.

Statute of Limitations by State

Since insurance laws vary by state, always confirm limitations with your insurance company before filing a claim.

When shouldn’t you file a car insurance claim?

When assessing when to not file an auto insurance claim, drivers should consider the laws in their state and the level of coverage provided by their insurance policy. Other reasons you might not want to file an insurance claim include the following.

• When the cost of repairs is less than your deductible. The deductible is the amount an insured driver pays out of pocket for a claim before the insurance company covers any expenses. So if your vehicle sustains damage in an accident costing $300 to repair and your insurance deductible is $500, filing a claim wouldn’t make sense.
• When your insurance policy doesn’t cover the specific type of accident or damage. If you cause an accident but only have liability coverage, you won’t be able to file a claim for damages to your vehicle or any injuries you sustained due to the accident.
• When you can afford to fix the damage yourself. It can sometimes be a smart idea to avoid opening a claim. By covering the expenses yourself, you can potentially avoid increasing your insurance rates due to filing a claim.

Your car insurance rates will increase after you file a claim, so always weigh your options carefully and confirm the coverage on your policy before filing. 

Can you file a claim right after getting insurance?

You can typically file a car insurance claim any time after the start date of your insurance policy. However, the damage or injuries associated with the claim must have occurred within the policy’s coverage period. Making an insurance claim for damages that occurred before your policy’s start date is considered fraud and is illegal.

Read more: When does car insurance start?

How long do claims stay on your car insurance?

How long a car insurance claim will stay on your driving record can vary, but it’s usually around three to five years when you’re involved in an auto accident. In some states, more serious accidents — especially those involving hazardous waste or commercial vehicles — can stay on your driving history longer. During that period, the accident and its associated claim can cause a temporary increase in your car insurance rates.

How Fault Impacts Car Insurance Rates

Suppose you’re determined responsible for causing a car accident. In that case, auto insurance providers might consider you a higher risk to insure than other drivers with no accidents in their driving history. 

Although the financial impact of fault varies by state and insurance provider, being at fault in an auto accident can potentially cause your car insurance rates to increase.

What is a “no-fault” accident?

In “no-fault” states (as determined by state law), your car insurance provider must pay a portion of your medical bills when you’re injured in an accident, sometimes including lost wages, no matter which party is at fault. 

However, vehicle damage coverage is typically determined based on the party at fault in no-fault states. This is unlike “fault states” or “tort states,” where the financial responsibility for damages and injuries related to car accidents is based on who is at fault.

Read more: Understanding Car Accidents

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Understanding the Process of Filing a Car Insurance Claim

Although getting into an accident is something everyone hopes to avoid, most drivers will experience making a car insurance claim at some point in their life. Knowing the right steps to take to file a claim can make the process easier and less stressful.

While car insurance claims can help cover the high costs associated with auto accidents, claims can sometimes negatively impact insurance rates. Because of that, it’s a good idea to weigh the benefits and disadvantages of filing a car insurance claim, as well as the requirements of your insurance policy and state laws, before contacting your insurance provider about opening a claim.

Read more:

• How long does a car insurance claim take to process?
• How do you contest the amount of a car insurance payout?
• How do you deal with insurance after someone hits your parked car?

Case Studies: Filing Car Insurance Claims

Case Study 1: Mary’s Minor Accident

Mary was involved in a minor fender-bender while parking her car. She followed the necessary steps, such as ensuring everyone’s safety and contacting the police. Mary then filed a car insurance claim with her insurance company, providing all the required information. The insurance adjuster assessed the damage and issued a report with an estimate for repairs.

Case Study 2: John’s Comprehensive Claim

John’s car was damaged during a severe hailstorm. He immediately contacted his insurance company and filed a claim. The insurer assigned an adjuster who evaluated the damage and provided an estimate for repairs. After reviewing the adjuster’s report, John accepted the offer of payment and completed the necessary paperwork to close the claim.

Case Study 3: Lisa’s Third-Party Claim

Lisa was rear-ended by another driver who was clearly at fault. She contacted the other driver’s insurance company and filed a third-party claim. The insurance company assigned an adjuster who assessed the damage and determined the appropriate compensation. Lisa provided all the required documentation and accepted the offer of payment, concluding her third-party car insurance claim.

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