We know that car insurance claims can be confusing, especially if you’re not sure what to expect.
So many people get confused about car insurance claims, and it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, it can be easier than ever before. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you understand what happens when you file a claim.
Learn everything you need to know about filing a car insurance claim in our handy guide.
Read through our guide to learn everything you need to know.
What Is a Car Insurance Claim?
In the event of a car accident, the driver files a claim with the insurance company for financial compensation. Insurance companies in the United States pay out more than $170 billion in claims every year. The process varies from state to state and insurer to insurer, but the basic steps are generally the same.
Getting the Right Automobile Insurance Claims Information
- Injuries or physical damage are filed depending on their severity and cause.
- It depends on whose fault the damage was caused by which insurance company should be contacted.
- Provide your information and any documentation related to the accident to the insurance company and you will be able to file a claim.
- Depending on the circumstances and the insurance company, auto insurance claims raise the premium by an average of 12% to 45%.
Follow These 5 Steps to File a Car Insurance Claim
1. Talk to Your Insurance Company
Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Here are some details you’ll need to provide:
- What type of vehicle was involved in the accident.
- And who was the driver?
- When and where the accident occurred.
- How the accident occurred and how severe the damage was.
- Who the other driver is and what their insurance policy covers.
- Information regarding witnesses and anyone else involved in the accident.
If you’re given a claim number, write down the person’s name and direct phone number as well.
2. Report the crime to the police
A police report number will be required by your insurance company. The police report was not obtained at the scene, but you can still report it at the local police station.
3. You need to wait for the insurance adjuster
An adjuster will be assigned to your claim. You will likely be contacted by the adjuster for more information. Be as factual as possible and avoid speculating. If there were any witnesses, provide them with their contact information.
Please keep in mind that there will be a recording of the conversation and that it will be used to determine who was at fault. A lawyer may be helpful before filing an insurance claim against the driver who injured you.
An adjuster will also inspect the damage to your vehicle or ask you to take it to a certified repair shop for an inspection after gathering information about the accident.
4. Request an insurance adjuster’s report
An adjuster will provide an initial estimate of the cost of repairs after reviewing the facts of the incident, including your coverage and the vehicle’s damage. If your insurance company will pay for vehicle repairs, they will factor in this estimate or one from a repair shop.
5. Get the payment
Once the adjuster confirms it, the final payment will be processed. In order to accept the offer, you should sign a release.
Learn more about How To Get The Best Car Accident Settlement In Atlanta.
Companies to Contact in the Case of Car Insurance Claims
| Company | Claims Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Allstate | 800-255-7828 |
| American Family | 800-692-6326 |
| Amica | 800-242-6422 |
| Farmers | 800-435-7764 |
| Geico | 800-861-8380 |
| Liberty Mutual | 800-2CLAIMS (225-2467) |
| Nationwide | 800-421-3535 |
| Progressive | 800-76-4737 |
| State Farm | 800-732-5246 |
| Travelers | 800-252-4633 |
| USAA | 800-531-USAA (8722) |
The Right Time to File a Car Insurance Claim
When you need to have your car repaired or replaced after suffering damage, or if you’re hurt in an accident, you should file a claim with your insurance company. You won’t have to file a claim if no one else was involved in the accident and the damage to your car is likely to cost less than your deductible.
- Comprehensive Insurance – When something other than a collision causes damage, make a claim with your own comprehensive insurance.
- Liability Insurance – When another driver is at fault for an accident, you need to file a claim with the other driver’s liability policy.
- Collision Insurance – When you are at fault for an accident, you need to file a claim with your collision policy. Should the fault not be clear, submit claims to both insurers. You will receive coverage under either or both policies after the fault has been identified.
- Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Insurance – If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured/underinsured motorist, report it to your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
- Personal Injury Protection and MedPay Insurance – If you have PIP or MedPay insurance, you can file an injury claim with your insurance company.
When Fault Impacts Car Insurance Claim
The insurance company of the driver who was at fault will cover the damages regardless of who was at fault. As soon as an insurance claim is filed, an adjuster investigates the accident to determine who is to blame. In cases where both drivers are at fault, damages are determined by the state’s negligence laws.
Learn more about What is Motor Vehicle Accident Law?
How do I handle the property damage claim?
You will usually receive instructions on how to get your car fixed from your insurance company. Make sure nothing is fixed until the adjuster inspects it, unless waiting will lead to more damage in the future. If you take the insurance company’s recommendations, you may save time and money, even though you can choose your own repair shop and choose which parts to install on your car.
You have options if you’re unsatisfied with how your insurer handles your claim. Any decision you disagree with can be appealed directly to the company or reported to your state’s insurance regulator if you believe their behavior is unethical. If you can’t resolve the conflict by yourself, you should hire an automobile accident attorney.
Learn more about The 3 Biggest Myths About Car Insurance.
Bodily Injury Claims
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you should prioritize your health. Medical complications can arise as a result of not receiving treatment for an injury. You may receive direct billing from health care providers, but there may be cases when you must submit medical bills for reimbursement to your auto insurance company.
Getting an attorney to represent you in a bodily injury claim is important if you are injured as a result of another driver’s negligence. An attorney who represents you on a contingency basis will provide initial consultations for free and will only be paid if your case is successful.
Conclusion
There is no obligation to hire accident attorneys who offer free consultations. It is a good way to determine if you may be eligible for compensation, or if there are any red flags. You should always err on the side of caution when it comes to car accident claims.
