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From broken windshields to fender benders, there are many reasons you might need to file an auto insurance claim. But sometimes, in a stressful situation, it can be easy to forget the steps you should take to work with your own or another driver’s car insurance company.
Whether you’re looking at minor repairs or extensive damage to your vehicle, here’s how to maximize the car insurance claims process.
Learn more: How does car insurance work? The basics explained.
When to file a car insurance claim
If you’re involved in some sort of accident or car crash that damages your vehicle, you might wonder if you should file an insurance claim, especially if the dents or scratches to your car are minor. Here are a few scenarios when you should consider filing a claim:
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Someone else hit you, and you’re filing a claim against their insurance
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You caused a crash, and the cost to fix your vehicle is more than your collision deductible
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Another driver is involved
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There are injuries
Some states have laws that stipulate you must report an accident to the department of motor vehicles if damage is over a certain amount or if there are injuries. If you’re replacing a windshield, some states, including Florida, Kentucky, and South Carolina, require your insurance company to waive the deductible if you have comprehensive coverage.
Learn more: What to do after a car accident: Your step-by-step guide
How to file a car insurance claim
Whether you’re in a fender bender or a serious crash, it’s critical to start the claims process quickly. Your first call should be to your own car insurance company. At the very least, your insurer needs to know that you were involved in an accident and that the vehicle they insure has been damaged or totaled.
Car insurance claims against another driver
If another driver is responsible for a car accident or causes property damage, such as hitting your fence, the liability insurance portion of their auto policy will pay for your vehicle’s damage, other damage to your property, and your injuries, up to their policy limits.
Contact the other driver’s insurer directly and begin the claims process. If you have a photo of the other driver’s insurance ID card, it will often have a claims phone number. If not, you can go to the insurer’s website to find the phone number.
Learn more: How to file a diminished value claim after an accident
The insurer will ask for the other driver’s information to pull up the policy, and your information to begin the claim. They might ask for your driver’s license number, license plate number, birth date, name, address, contact information, and more.
Be cautious when talking with the other driver’s car insurance company, especially if you’ve been injured in the accident. You may be asked to record an official statement about the accident, including how it occurred and what happened afterward. Anything you say in this recording could later be used against you, and you may have trouble getting fairly compensated for an injury that presents itself later on.
Even if the other driver’s insurer accepts liability, their primary interest may be in controlling costs.
Learn more: Is accident forgiveness coverage worth it?
Car insurance claim on your own insurance
You can start a claim on your own insurance by contacting your insurance agent or company. Be prepared with details of how the accident happened, where, and when. If you have details about the other driver’s insurance, make sure to provide it. Photos from the scene are also useful.
There are several scenarios in which you might make a claim on your own auto insurance:
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If you have caused an accident with someone else, you can make a claim on your own insurance for your vehicle damage if you have collision insurance.
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Even if someone else caused the accident, you could choose to make a claim for your vehicle damage on your collision insurance rather than dealing with the other person’s insurance company. The downside is that you may have to pay your collision deductible toward repairs, but in these cases, often your insurer will try to get that money back from the at-fault driver’s company.
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In no-fault insurance states, you’ll contact your own insurance company to file a claim for your injuries in a car accident, no matter who was at fault. In these states, personal injury protection (PIP) pays for your own injuries, up to a certain threshold.
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Backed into a telephone pole or sideswiped a mailbox? Even though another driver wasn’t involved, you can make an insurance claim on your collision insurance.
Learn more: What to know about rental car reimbursement coverage
Claims on different car insurance coverage types
Here’s a look at the main car insurance coverage types and who can file a claim on them.
What happens after you file a claim
Once you have filed a car insurance claim, you’ll be assigned a claims adjuster, who will take down relevant information about the accident and keep you updated about the status of payments, your vehicle’s repairs, and more. If there are injuries involved, you may be assigned a second insurance adjuster for that portion of the claim.
The process of gathering insurance information, understanding policy details like your car insurance deductible, and waiting for repairs can be stressful, especially if you’re responsible for an accident. But it’s important to cooperate with the insurance company’s investigation. This will allow things to move along as quickly as possible, so that vehicles can be repaired and claims paid out within a reasonable amount of time.
How long should a car insurance claim take?
The time it takes to process an insurance claim typically depends on the complexity of determining fault and the severity of the damage and injuries. For minor accidents and vehicle damage, you may be able to wrap up the claims process in a few days. For more extensive damage or severe accidents, it could take weeks to months for a resolution.
Some state laws specify that an insurance company has 30 days to investigate a claim, but if lawyers are involved or the case is complex, expect several weeks or months.
What to do if an insurance company denies your claim
If your car insurance claim is denied, review the denial letter carefully to understand why your claim was denied and what recourse you might have. Take a close look at your policy. Did you have coverage for the claim? If you think the denial is unjustified, you can submit an appeal.
If your appeal is denied and you still feel the claim should have been paid, you can contact your state’s department of insurance, which may be able to help negotiate a resolution. If you think your insurer violated state law, you can consider making a complaint with the state insurance department.
When to hire an attorney for a car insurance claim
If you have a complicated claim, fault is unclear, or your claim has been denied, you might consider hiring an attorney. Consultations are generally free of charge and can give you an idea of your options, especially if your case is complex.
Frequently asked questions about car insurance claims
Will a claim increase my insurance rates?
Your insurance rates will likely go up at renewal time if you were at fault in an accident.
You can avoid a rate increase if you have accident forgiveness insurance. Under these programs, one accident won’t cause your rates to go up. Sometimes you’ll pay extra for this feature, and with some companies, you can earn it for free.
Learn more: How much does car insurance increase after an accident?
Should I file an insurance claim if I am at fault?
If you’re at fault in an accident with another driver, the choice about whether or not to file a claim will be up to the other driver. However, if you’re the only driver involved, it may not make sense to file a claim, especially if the cost to repair your vehicle is less than your collision deductible and the subsequent rate increase you could face for filing the claim.
Can you cancel a car insurance claim?
Having second thoughts or finding the repair costs were less costly than you thought? You can cancel a car insurance claim, provided you’re the one who filed the claim. You cannot cancel a claim another driver makes, either with their insurance or yours.
Amy Danise and Tim Manni edited this article.
