How to File a Car Insurance Claim: An Expert Guide (2024)

If you’ve ever been in an auto accident or damaged a vehicle, you may have had to file a car insurance claim.

What is a car insurance claim? An auto insurance claim is a request for financial reimbursement filed with an insurance company by a driver when their vehicle is damaged or they are wounded in a car accident or covered event.

Our expert guide covers what to do after a car accident and how to file a car insurance claim. The claim process can vary based on who you shop with, so keep reading to learn how long you have to file an insurance claim.

Six Steps to Making a Car Insurance Claim

Starting the car insurance claim process normally entails informing an insurance company representative that you’ve been in an accident and intend to file a claim for your automobile accident injuries, vehicle damage, or both.

Most insurance companies allow drivers to file claims online or through a mobile app, but a phone call is always a good way to get things started. 

Read more: What should I do at the scene of an accident to prepare for an insurance claim?

Follow the guide below before calling your insurance company to file a claim:

Filing a Claim Step One: Gather Information

When something bad happens to your automobile, it’s natural to be horrified. If you’re involved in a serious collision, call 9-1-1 immediately. The authorities will gather the necessary information for your insurance claim.

However, after minor accidents and collisions, it is your responsibility to stay focused and gather accurate, detailed information to file your auto insurance claim.

These tips will help you get the information you need to file an accurate claim:

• Photograph property damage. Document what happened to your car and other vehicles, and note where and when the incident occurred. If feasible, take photos of the scene and any witnesses. Take precautions and wait until conditions are safe, especially after a natural disaster, storm, or fire.
• Contact the police. Obtain information from the officer who responds to the event, such as a badge number or phone number. If your car has been stolen, provide the authorities with a detailed description, including the license plate number, VIN, and registration number.
• Keep all receipts. Keep receipts for towing, roadside assistance, or other services as a result of the event. Based on your coverage, your insurance provider may reimburse you.
• Don’t accept responsibility. Don’t acknowledge or accept fault at the scene of a car accident — let the officials decide who is at fault. The insurance company can evaluate how much culpability, if any, each driver may bear based on your state’s legal framework.
• Get the other driver’s information. Make a note of the other driver’s contact information, insurance company and policy number, automobile make and model, license plate number, and state.

Read more:

• What happens if I have a claim against another driver’s insurance company?
• What should I do at the scene of an accident to prepare for an insurance claim?

If possible, gather the names of additional passengers. If there were any other witnesses, make a note of their names and contact information as well.

Read More: What should I do if I’m in an accident and don’t have car insurance?

Filing a Claim Step Two: Contact Your Insurance Company

Report the accident to your agent or insurer as soon as possible. Prepare to supply the following details:

• What type of covered car was involved?
• Who was behind the wheel?
• The date, time, and location of the incident
• A summary of the accident and the extent of the damage
• The other driver’s name and insurance information
• Other people involved in the accident and witnesses’ names and contact information

As you speak with your insurance agent, take notes. Write down the claim number, name, and direct phone number of the person you spoke with. 

Filing a Claim Step Three: Submit a Police Report

Your insurance company will seek a copy of the police report. If you did not obtain a police report at the site, you can still make a report at a local police station after-the-fact. (For more information, read our “Do I need a police report to file a car insurance claim?“).

If you have photos of the event and contact information from the other parties involved, you have enough information for a police report.

Filing a Claim Step Four: Await an Adjuster

Your claim will be assigned to an adjuster by the insurance company. The adjuster will almost certainly call you for more information. When describing what happened, stick to the facts and avoid guesswork. Please include any images you took at the scene and the names and contact information of any witnesses.

 Remember that the insurance company will record your conversation and use the information you discuss to determine who was at fault. If you intend to file a personal injury claim with the other driver’s insurance company, you should consult an attorney beforehand. The amount of coverage available to you will depend on the types of car insurance coverage you have.

In addition to gathering information regarding the accident, the adjuster will either evaluate the damage to your vehicle or ask you to take it to a licensed repair shop where the inspection will be performed.

Filing a Claim Step Five: Request the Insurance Adjuster’s Report

After reviewing the circumstances of the occurrence, including your coverage and the vehicle’s damage, the adjuster will estimate the cost of repairs. When assessing how much your insurance company will pay for vehicle repairs, it will consider this estimate or an estimate from a repair shop. (For more information, read our “How to Get Car Insurance Coverage“).

Always review the report to confirm you are receiving the coverage guaranteed in your or the at-fault driver’s policy.

Filing a Claim Step Six: Take Payment

The insurance adjuster will authorize the final payment. You’ll sign a release acknowledging the offer as full payment for the claim.

Depending on your insurance company, you may receive a check reimbursing you for upfront costs, or your insurer will send payment directly to the hospital or repair shop used during the claim. Learn more about the best car insurance companies for paying claims.

What Not to Do After a Car Accident

The six steps above illustrate what to do after a car accident or collision, but there are things you should not do in order to protect yourself after an accident.

After an accident, do not:

• Relocate any injured people, although you can safely clear a way for authorities if possible
• Express gratitude for the crash
• Talk about how much insurance you have
• Take payment or make agreements with the other driver to put the accident behind you.

If you accept any payment at the scene of an accident, you will no longer be able to make a claim. The other party might also bring a lawsuit against you, so following the steps above is important to avoid future liability.

How long do you have to file a car insurance claim?

The amount of time that passes between the car accident or covered event and the claim process is referred to as the deadline for filing a car insurance claim.

The precise deadline varies based on your specific vehicle insurance policy. Unfortunately, most regulations do not specify a specific deadline or time frame for when to make an insurance claim. Instead, you must make your claim “within a reasonable period,” which is very vague. 

Some states (particularly those with a no-fault car insurance system) have enacted legislation to solve this issue. For example, New York, a no-fault state, requires residents to file insurance claims within 30 days of the accident unless there is a compelling reason not to. Learn more about New York car insurance laws.

Depending on your insurance coverage and the circumstances of the incident, you may submit an insurance claim with your own insurer or with the insurer of the other motorist. The latter is known as a third-party claim, and you will not be responsible for any deductibles.

Read more: What is the difference between a first-party claim and a third-party claim?

What happens if I cause a car accident?

Your auto insurance coverage is intended to protect you financially, so if you are at fault in an accident, you should follow the six steps outlined above (read our “At-Fault Accident: What is it and how is fault determined?” for more information). Do not rely on the other driver to contact your insurer. Instead, it would be best if you told your insurer directly.

If you are found to be at fault in a covered accident, your insurer will deal with the affected parties and any potential lawsuits.

However, fault impacts your car insurance in other ways. For example, your rates may skyrocket after an at-fault accident, and you may lose coverage if you have multiple accidents or claims on your record. Claims don’t stay on your record forever, but how long claims stay on your car insurance can vary by state and insurer.

Compare quotes from car insurance companies for people with accidents after filing a claim to make sure you’re still getting competitive rates. 

How do I file a car insurance claim in a no-fault collision?

The method for filing a claim if the other driver is at fault in an accident differs by state. Car insurance by state is broken up into fault and no-fault laws.

In “fault” jurisdictions, often known as “tort” states, the driver who caused the accident has financial responsibility for the injuries and damages caused.

Keep in mind that while police officers can occasionally assess blame, proving to an insurance company that their insured motorist caused the collision can be a tough and time-consuming endeavor. If said insurer judges that their driver was not at fault for your injuries and losses, you may have to file a claim with your policy to cover any associated costs with the incident.

Suppose you reside in a “no-fault” state. In that case, your car insurance company pays for a percentage of your medical bills regardless of who is at fault. In addition, some states include coverage for lost income if you cannot work due to injuries sustained in the accident. Learn more about personal injury protection (PIP) car insurance companies.

Case Studies: Examples of Filing Car Insurance Claims

Case Study 1: Minor Fender Bender

Sarah was driving home from work when she rear-ended the car in front of her at a stop sign. The accident resulted in minor damage to both vehicles, but Sarah knew she needed to file a car insurance claim. She followed the steps outlined in the guide, gathering all the necessary information and contacting her insurance company.

The adjuster evaluated the damage and estimated the cost of repairs. Sarah received the final payment from her insurance company, allowing her to cover the repair costs.

Case Study 2: Major Collision

John was involved in a major collision on the highway when another driver ran a red light and crashed into his car. The accident resulted in significant damage to John’s vehicle and caused him injuries. After ensuring everyone’s safety, John contacted his insurance company to report the accident and filed a car insurance claim.

The adjuster assigned to his case reviewed the circumstances and gathered information from witnesses. John received the insurance adjuster’s report, confirming the coverage for the repairs and medical expenses. The final payment from the insurance company helped John cover the costs associated with the accident.

Case Study 3: Hit and Run

Amy parked her car outside a shopping mall and returned to find a significant dent in her car door. There were no witnesses, and the responsible driver had fled the scene. Amy was unsure how to proceed but remembered the expert guide on filing a car insurance claim. She followed the steps, gathering information and filing a police report.

Although the responsible driver was not identified, Amy’s insurance company provided coverage for the repairs through her comprehensive insurance policy. Amy received the payment from her insurer, enabling her to fix the damage caused by the hit-and-run incident.

The Bottom Line on Making an Insurance Claim

Even the most careful drivers can get into an accident, but a few crucial steps taken at the scene will make the claims process as smooth as possible. First, verify that everyone is alright, call the authorities, and exchange contact details with any other drivers involved.

It’s also beneficial to understand your insurance coverage and what information you might need to offer when submitting a car insurance claim following an accident. Knowing what to anticipate could make the claims procedure less stressful and ensure you get the money you need to fix your car as soon as possible.

You might also want to find out whether your insurer has a deadline for filing a claim. Though each insurance provider has a slightly different approach to handling claims, most of the stages are the same.