How to File a Car Insurance Claim

Car accidents can happen to the most seasoned drivers. And filing a claim is the first step to receiving coverage for vehicle repairs or medical bills. An auto claim is a request for reimbursement for damages and injuries after a covered incident. You can also file a claim for vehicle theft and vandalism.^[1]

Let’s take a closer look at how to file a car insurance claim.

How to file a car insurance claim

Filing a claim involves contacting your car insurance company for reimbursement for damages after an incident. You can typically file a claim by calling the insurance company’s claims phone number, going online, using a mobile app, or calling your agent.

Knowing the ins and outs of the process and preparing the relevant information and documentation can help you get a settlement sooner. Insurance companies have their own specific requirements to file a car insurance claim, but you’ll generally need to follow the below steps.

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1. Gather information about the incident

Streamline the process and prevent delays in your claim settlement by preparing the necessary information and documents in advance.

Here’s what you’ll need to have on hand:

• Your policy number

• The date and time of the accident

• A detailed description of the accident

• Names and contact information of all drivers and witnesses involved

• Photos and videos of the damage to your vehicle

2. File a police report

If you were in a serious car crash, call the police immediately, especially if someone is injured. Then, head to a safe location away from the vehicles and busy roads. When police officers arrive, they’ll record important details, like the accident’s date, time, and location. 

The report will also include thorough descriptions of the incident, which insurers use to verify the parties’ statements and assign fault. Remember to grab a copy of the report number before you leave so you can give it to your insurance company when you file a claim. 

If you were in a fender bender in a parking lot, you may not need to call the police unless someone has a serious injury. Record the time and location of the fender bender, take videos and photos, and write down details about what happened.

3. Contact your insurance company and file a claim

If you’ve experienced a loss or vehicle damage, contact your insurance company promptly to file a claim. Most insurers allow you to start the claims process on a mobile app, online, or by calling an insurance company representative or your agent.

Be prepared to provide your policy number, the incident’s date and time, and your recollection of the incident. Insurers typically don’t specify how long you have to file a claim, but the auto policy may state that you must file a claim “promptly” or “within a reasonable time.”

It’s best to file your claim as soon as possible to receive compensation in a timely manner. Additionally, cars rapidly depreciate in value, so filing quickly is essential to receiving adequate compensation for your vehicle’s damage.

4. Review your claim

Once you start your car insurance claim, an insurance adjuster will work with you to investigate the extent of the damage and determine suitable compensation for repairs and injuries. During the process, your adjuster may request additional information, such as an estimate from an auto shop, to support your claim.

After reviewing the findings, your claims adjuster will inform you of the settlement amount.

5. Accept payment and fix your vehicle

The timeliness of your claim payout will depend on the nature of the accident and the insurance company. While your insurance company may resolve less complex accidents quickly, multi-car accidents may take several months.

Claims payment policies differ between insurers. For instance, you may receive compensation to pay for repairs directly. Or, you may pay your deductible directly to the body shop, and your insurer covers the rest. If your insurer declares your vehicle a total loss, the company may pay you the actual cash value of your car before the incident.

6. Review your premium

After an accident, you may notice increased premiums, even for incidents where you weren’t at fault. Insurify data shows that a single at-fault accident may increase a driver’s premiums by 26% and may stay on their record for three to five years after the incident.

Similarly, crashes where you’re not at fault result in an average 10% rise in premiums. But many states prohibit insurers from raising your rates after an accident that wasn’t your fault.

Review your auto insurance policy at renewal and note any changes in your premium. If your premium surges after a collision or non-collision occurrence, you can compare car insurance quotes to find cheaper rates.^[3]

Should you file an insurance claim?

In many cases, it’s a good idea to file a car insurance claim. But sometimes, it doesn’t make sense. Here’s what you need to know.

When to file a claim

You may want to file an auto insurance claim in these scenarios:

• You damage someone else’s car after a serious at-fault accident. If you cause an accident that results in substantial damage to someone else’s vehicle, be sure to file a claim as an at-fault driver. Don’t forget to exchange contact information with them at the scene of the accident.

• The car accident leads to injuries. Car insurance claims are always important after accidents that injure others, even if the injuries seem minor. An auto policy may cover the other party’s medical expenses if you’re held liable.

• Your vehicle has collision damage and coverage. Collision insurance can help pay for your expenses if you crash into another car or object, no matter who’s at fault. If you have a collision policy and your vehicle sustains major damage, it’s wise to file a claim.

• Your car has non-collision damage, and you’re covered. Comprehensive insurance protects you from non-collision-related damages that may come from theft, vandalism, and extreme weather conditions. If you have this type of insurance, it can help cover repair costs.

When to consider not filing a claim

Filing a claim with a car insurance company won’t always benefit you. Here are several instances when it may not make sense:

• The cost of damages doesn’t exceed your deductible. If you get into a minor auto accident and are left with a small dent in your car, for example, you may want to cover your repairs out of pocket. This may be cheaper than paying your deductible.

• You damaged your car by accident and only have liability insurance. State-required liability coverage won’t protect you if you back into a pole or damage your vehicle on your own. If you file a claim, your premiums may increase.

• You don’t want to repair damage after a single-car accident with no injuries. It may not be worth it to fix damage after a single-car accident that didn’t lead to any injuries, especially if it’s cosmetic. This may be particularly true if you drive an older car or plan to buy a new one sometime soon.

• You get into a minor accident, and both parties agree to a private settlement. If you’re involved in a fender bender and the damage is insignificant, you or the other party may choose to cover the repairs without insurance. If you go this route and the other driver says they’ll pay for your repairs, be careful as they might not follow through.

Does filing a claim increase your car insurance rates?

Whether your car insurance premiums will go up after you file a claim depends on your status with your auto insurer and the circumstances of the accident. If you’ve been in a minor accident and it wasn’t your fault, your rates may stay the same, especially if you have a clean driving record.

On the flipside, if you cause a serious accident and have a poor driving history with multiple traffic violations, your rate is likely to increase. The table below shows the average liability-only rates of a driver with a clean record versus one with an at-fault accident.

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Filing a claim in no-fault states

If you file a claim in a no-fault state like Florida or Pennsylvania, most auto insurance companies won’t increase your car insurance rates if the accident wasn’t your fault. Here’s how to file a claim in a no-fault state:

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  1. Contact your insurance company

  Reach out to your insurer and inform them of the accident to start the claims process. You should do this regardless of who’s at fault.

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  2. Provide a recorded statement of the accident

  A recorded statement is your version of what happened during a car accident. Most car insurance adjusters will ask you for it in person or over the phone.

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  3. Undergo a medical exam

  Your insurance company will likely choose a doctor or healthcare facility. You’ll need to complete a medical exam with them so they can identify any injuries.

Reasons an insurer may deny your claim

Car insurance companies might deny your claim for a number of reasons, including:

• Lack of coverage: If your auto policy doesn’t cover your damage or loss, you can expect a claim denial. Read the terms carefully so you know what it includes.

• Failure to pay: Your insurance company won’t approve your claim if you haven’t made timely premium payments. In fact, it might terminate your coverage altogether.

• Exclusions: Some insurance companies list exclusions, which are specific events they won’t cover. For example, your insurer might not pay for losses from war and terrorism.

• Insufficient documentation: When you file a claim, you’ll need to provide evidence in the form of photos and videos. If you don’t have enough of it, the insurance company is likely to deny your claim.

What to do after an insurer denies your claim

If an auto insurance company denies your claim and you believe it’s valid, you may appeal the decision. Most insurers have a formal appeals process, which typically includes these steps:^[4]

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  1. Understand the reason for the denial

  First, make sure you know why the insurance company denied your claim. Note that they’re legally required to tell you the reason for the denial.

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  2. Collect evidence

  Review the documents your insurance company provided. Then, gather evidence that can help show your appeal is valid, such as photos, police reports, and medical documentation.

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  3. Write an appeal letter

  Your appeal letter should outline why you disagree with the insurer’s decision. The more detail, the better.

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  4. Consider an attorney

  If you want legal guidance throughout the process, it may be worthwhile to hire an attorney. You can count on them to review your case and collaborate with the insurer on your behalf.

Car insurance claims FAQs