How to File Car Insurance Claims

Car insurance claims can be tricky, and trying to figure out how to file a claim can sometimes be more overwhelming than the accident or theft itself. 

Depending on what exactly happened, the process can be more involved. You might be required to file a police report and submit photos to your car insurance company. That’s why we’ve put together a simple list of what to do before, during, and after the incident occurs so you can get back on the road again. 

If you're still in need of coverage, a local independent insurance agent can help you get equipped with the right policy. They'll ensure you get matched to the ideal amount of coverage. While your agent can also file auto insurance claims for you directly, it's helpful to be familiar with the process yourself, too. 

What Is a Car Insurance Claim?

A car insurance claim is a written or spoken request from an insured (i.e., the policyholder) to the insurance company for monetary compensation for covered damage, theft, or destruction to a piece of property, etc. In the case of car insurance, a claim may be filed if a vehicle is damaged in a traffic accident, stolen, or damaged by a natural event like hail. 

You may also wonder how soon you can file a claim after getting insurance. This will depend on your specific policy and when your coverage kicks in, so be sure to review it with your independent insurance agent. 

Steps for Filing a Car Insurance Claim

Whether you were recently in an accident, had your car stolen, or just want to be prepared in case one of these disasters happens, read on. Here are six steps to help you handle the first few minutes and days after an incident occurs. This list can easily be printed and stored in a glove box for future reference.

Step 1: Check for injuries

After a car accident, the first thing to do is check to see if anyone involved is injured. If any passengers have been injured, seek medical attention immediately. 

Depending on the coverage included in your car insurance policy, you may have coverage for medical payments, which can pay for the costs of medical treatment for yourself and your passengers after an accident, regardless of fault. If the other driver was at fault for the accident, their bodily injury liability coverage should reimburse you for necessary medical treatments for yourself or your passengers.

Step 2: Call for help

Make sure you’re somewhere safe, and don't make the call while standing on the road. In any accident more serious than a minor fender bender, dial 911. You might be required to file a police report.

Step 3: Evaluate the damage

Inspect your vehicle and the other vehicles involved. Check for internal and external damage to the best of your ability before anyone drives away. 

Step 4: Document the details

Get as much detail as you can about the other driver and any witnesses, including their insurance information. Also, make sure to take pictures and videos of the crash scene and damage.

Step 5: Get your car off the road

Attempt to get your car out of the way of moving traffic. If you can, move your vehicle to the side of the road or onto a shoulder. 

However, if the vehicle is not obstructing traffic, leave it where it is. If your vehicle can't be moved and towing is necessary, make the call now. You may be entitled to reimbursement for this service if your car insurance policy includes towing and roadside assistance coverage.

Step 6: Contact your independent insurance agent

Let your independent insurance agent know you’ve been in an accident, and they’ll help guide you through the next steps. Your agent can even contact your car insurance company for you and start the claims process.

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Understanding Fault and How Fault Impacts Car Insurance Claims

The person officially found to be at fault for a car accident or other incident can affect your ability to receive compensation after filing a claim. The at-fault driver's insurance company is responsible for paying out compensation after a car accident. 

Insurance companies investigate fault after each car insurance claim is filed to ensure that the right carrier pays for the damage. Some states even consider shared fault to be an option, meaning that each driver could be assigned a percentage of the fault for an accident, and in turn, their insurance companies would be responsible for their portion of the fault. Research your state's car insurance negligence laws to gain a better understanding of how fault can impact any claims you file.

Bodily Injury Claims

Your health and the health of everyone involved in a car accident should always be the top priority. While you might be tempted to ignore what seems like a minor injury right afterward, don't, since these can sometimes lead to serious long-term health complications down the road. It's better to get something checked out now, just in case.

So, what is a car insurance claim for bodily injury? It's the type of claim you'd file if any injuries resulted from an auto accident you were involved in, ranging from minor to severe, and even death. 

The at-fault driver's auto insurance should provide compensation for the medical treatment of injuries resulting from the accident. Compensation can also sometimes include funeral expenses in the event of a death, or missed work and rehabilitation costs in the case of serious injuries. 

Property Damage Claims

A property damage claim is the type of car insurance claim you'd file if there were physical damage to your vehicle or another piece of property you own, such as if someone ran into your fence with their vehicle. Insurance companies also investigate these claims for fault, and sometimes, a policyholder may decide to seek a decision outside of the insurance claim (e.g., from an attorney) regarding property damage if they're unhappy with their carrier's ruling. 

You might also be wondering, "Should I get an estimate before filing a claim?" Typically, yes, you'll always want an estimate before filing a property damage car insurance claim. However, your independent insurance agent can further advise you on whether you should secure an estimate in each unique claim circumstance.

When to File a Car Insurance Claim

Before it ever comes time to file a claim, you should ideally review your car insurance policy in depth and become familiar with precisely what it covers and what it doesn't. This can help ensure you'll have a successful claim in the future, should you need to file. Learn your deductible amount or the amount you'll have to pay out of pocket each time you file a claim before you receive compensation from your carrier. 

If you had to file a car insurance claim for a total of $1,000 in damage to your vehicle after an accident, but you had a deductible of $250, you'd pay the $250 yourself and receive a maximum compensation of $750 from your insurance company. The car insurance claims process can vary by insurer and local laws, but typically, you'll have somewhere between 30 days and up to a few years, depending on the state you live in. You can also find out more about how long you have to file a car insurance claim.

However, filing a claim may not always be the wisest course of action, depending on the circumstances of each incident. Unofficially, there’s an “ideal claim zone” where the benefits will outweigh the costs of filing a claim. The goal is to find this zone. The easiest way to do that is to calculate potential expenses and decide if it’s worth filing a claim.

Example

Say you’re in an accident and the cost of repairing the damage is $505. If your deductible is $500, filing a claim would definitely not be worth the risk of your premium going up for a difference of $5.

Here are a few scenarios in which you'd most likely want to file a claim:

• If you’re in an accident where you can be held responsible
• If the damage done to your car is significantly more than your deductible
• If an uninsured or underinsured motorist hits you and doesn’t have their own car insurance policy, and you don't have uninsured motorist coverage
• If you or anyone else involved has serious injuries after an accident.

If you decide to file a claim, you'll want to do it as soon as possible after the accident. Waiting can cause your car insurance company to deny your claim. Start the process right away to have the best possible chance at getting the reimbursement you're entitled to.

Tips on Filling Out an Auto Insurance Claim

There are specific timelines for filing car insurance claims, and the time you have to file your claim varies by carrier. After an accident, proper and extensive documentation of the details is critical for both your personal records and your best chance of filing a successful claim. 

Still asking, "How do auto insurance claims work?" Well, here are a few tips for filling out car insurance claims accurately and efficiently:

• Call your independent insurance agent and have them file your car insurance claim directly through your auto insurance company. This will ensure you report all the necessary information and have the best possible chance of getting reimbursed for your claim. Your agent can also keep you updated on every step of the claims process moving forward.
• Be prepared for a visit from an insurance adjuster. After you file a car insurance claim, your carrier will schedule a visit by a claims adjuster to further evaluate your vehicle's damage. Keep in mind that if you have a car loan or lease your vehicle, your lender might need to be involved in the adjuster's evaluation.
• Have money set aside to pay your deductible out of pocket. Always have enough money set aside in your savings to be able to pay your car insurance deductible when you have to file a claim. 

If you have any further questions about filing a car insurance claim, your independent insurance agent can help answer them for you and file your claim directly.

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What Happens After I File a Claim?

Most of your time after a claim will be spent waiting to hear from your insurer while they take care of things on their end. After you report your accident, your insurer will follow these steps:

• Step 1: Your insurance company will take down the information of anyone involved in the accident.
• Step 2: A representative from your insurance company will call you to get your side of the story.
• Step 3: Your insurance company will send out a claims adjuster or send you to a shop to assess the damage. 
• Step 4: Your insurance company will generate a report. If necessary, your insurer will make arrangements for you to get a rental car.
• Step 5: There will be an adjustment period for repairs. Your car insurance company will schedule your vehicle for repairs at one of its approved local repair shops.
• Step 6: Your insurance company will provide compensation for any medical bills, depending on who was at fault and which type of coverage is included in your policy. If the other driver was at fault, their insurer should compensate you for medical bills.
• Step 7: Your car insurance company will provide you with further details on what will happen with your payout and provide a timeline for when you can expect compensation.

In the long run, filing a claim could cause your car insurance premium to increase. Depending on the damage, your insurance could decide to total your car or pay for the damage. If your car is deemed a total loss, it won't be scheduled for repairs, and you'll receive the maximum amount of compensation included in your policy, which may be actual cash value coverage.

While filing a claim is never fun, your independent insurance agent can help guide you through the process and get you back on the road as soon as possible.

Car Insurance Claims FAQs