How to File a Car Insurance Claim After an Accident
What to do immediately after an accident
File your claim as soon as possible after the accident — most insurers want notice within 24 to 72 hours. Before you call, gather the information you will need: the other driver's name, phone number, address, driver's license number, license plate, vehicle make and model, and their insurance company and policy number. Take photos of the damage to both vehicles, the accident scene, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
If police responded, get the report number. If anyone was injured, you will need the names of those people and the hospitals or clinics where they were treated. Keep all receipts for any immediate expenses — towing, rental car, medical care — because your insurer will ask for them.
Do not admit fault or apologize for the accident, even if you think you caused it. Stick to the facts: what happened, when, and where. Save all text messages, emails, photos, and notes you made at the scene. Your insurer will ask for these during the claim process.
Key Takeaways
- Contact your insurance company within 24 to 72 hours of the accident and have the other driver's information, photos, and witness names ready.
- Your insurer will assign a claims adjuster who will inspect the damage, review police reports, and determine what your policy covers.
- You can choose your own repair shop instead of using your insurer's preferred vendor, though using their network may reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
- Keep receipts for all accident-related expenses, including towing, rental cars, and medical treatment, because you may be reimbursed.
- If the other driver's insurer is at fault, you can file a claim with them instead of your own insurer, though your own company can help you pursue it.
How the claims process works step by step
When you call your insurer, have your policy number ready and describe the accident clearly. The representative will open a claim file and assign a claims adjuster to your case. The adjuster is the person who will contact you to schedule an inspection of your vehicle, review the police report if one exists, and determine what your policy covers.
The adjuster will give you a claim number. Write this down and use it in all future communication with your insurer. The adjuster may ask you to submit photos, medical records, repair estimates, or receipts. Respond to these requests promptly — delays can slow your claim.
After the inspection, the adjuster will prepare an estimate for repairs. If you disagree with the estimate, you can request a second inspection or provide your own repair estimate from a shop. Your insurer must respond to disputes within a set timeframe, which varies by state.
Choosing where to repair your vehicle
You have the right to choose any repair shop, not just the ones your insurer recommends. If you use a shop outside your insurer's network, the repair may take longer to approve because the adjuster will need to review the estimate. Some insurers will only reimburse you up to what their preferred shops charge, so you may pay the difference out of pocket.
If you use a shop in your insurer's network, the process is usually faster because the shop and insurer have an existing relationship. The shop may also handle the paperwork directly with your insurer, which means less work for you. However, you are not required to use these shops.
Get at least two repair estimates if you plan to use a shop outside the network. This gives you leverage if your insurer's estimate seems too low. Some shops will negotiate directly with your insurer on your behalf.
What happens if the other driver is at fault
If the other driver caused the accident, you have two options: file a claim with your own insurer, or file a claim with the other driver's insurer. Filing with your own insurer is usually faster because you already have a relationship with them. Your insurer will then pursue the other driver's insurer for reimbursement — this is called subrogation.
If you file directly with the other driver's insurer, that company will assign its own adjuster to investigate. This process can take longer because the other insurer has no obligation to prioritize your claim. You will also need to provide more documentation to prove the other driver was at fault.
If you have collision coverage, you can file with your own insurer regardless of who was at fault. Your deductible applies, but you avoid dealing with the other driver's insurer directly. If you do not have collision coverage, you must file with the other driver's insurer or pursue the claim in small claims court.
Understanding deductibles and coverage limits
Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance covers the rest. Common deductibles are $500 or $1,000, though you may have chosen a different amount when you bought your policy. If your repair bill is $3,500 and your deductible is $500, your insurer pays $3,000 and you pay $500.
Your coverage limits are the maximum amount your insurer will pay for a claim. If you have $10,000 in collision coverage and your car is worth $12,000, your insurer will only pay up to $10,000 toward repairs. Check your policy documents to know your exact limits before you file.
Some policies have separate deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision covers accidents with other vehicles or objects. Comprehensive covers theft, weather, vandalism, and animal strikes. If you are not sure which type of coverage applies to your accident, ask your adjuster.
Dealing with rental cars and other expenses
If your policy includes rental reimbursement coverage, your insurer will cover the cost of a rental car while yours is being repaired. The coverage limit is usually $30 to $50 per day, though this varies by policy. You are responsible for any costs above that limit.
Keep all receipts for the rental car, towing, storage, and any other accident-related expenses. Your insurer may reimburse you for these costs if they are covered under your policy. Some policies cover towing and labor costs; others do not. Check your policy or ask your adjuster what expenses are covered.
If you paid for a rental car out of pocket before your claim was approved, submit the receipt to your insurer for reimbursement. The same applies to towing and other immediate expenses. Do not assume your insurer will cover these costs — ask first or check your policy.
What to do if your claim is denied or underpaid
If your insurer denies your claim, they must provide a written explanation of why. Common reasons include the damage is not covered under your policy, the accident happened before your coverage started, or the damage was pre-existing. Read the denial letter carefully to understand the reason.
If you disagree with the denial, you can request a review. Submit a written letter to your insurer explaining why you believe the claim should be covered, and include any supporting documents. Your insurer must respond within a set timeframe, which varies by state.
If your insurer underpays the claim — meaning their estimate is lower than what repairs actually cost — you can dispute the estimate. Get a second estimate from another repair shop and submit it to your adjuster. If the estimates differ significantly, your insurer may agree to pay more or allow you to use the higher estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a car insurance claim usually take?
Most claims are resolved within two to four weeks if there is no dispute about fault or coverage. If the other driver contests fault or your insurer needs additional documentation, it can take six to eight weeks or longer. Your adjuster can give you a timeline based on your specific situation.
Do I have to report the accident to my insurance company if I am not filing a claim?
Yes. Even if you plan to file a claim with the other driver's insurer, you should notify your own insurer within 24 to 72 hours. This protects you if the other driver's insurer denies the claim later. Your insurer will not charge you a deductible if you are not filing a claim with them.
What if I do not have the other driver's insurance information?
File a claim with your own insurer and report the hit-and-run or uninsured driver to police. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, your insurer will cover the damage. If you do not have this coverage, you may need to pursue the claim in small claims court or through your state's uninsured motorist fund, which varies by state.
Can my insurance rates go up after I file a claim?
Yes, but only if you were found at fault for the accident. If the other driver was at fault, your rates should not increase. Some insurers offer accident forgiveness programs that prevent rate increases after your first accident. Check your policy or ask your agent whether you have this coverage.
What if the repair shop and my insurer disagree on the cost?
You can request an independent appraisal. Your insurer and the repair shop each choose an appraiser, and those two appraisers choose a third. The three appraisers review the damage and agree on a repair cost, which both your insurer and the shop must accept. This process is called appraisal and is outlined in your policy.