How to File An Auto Insurance Claim

How to File an Auto Insurance Claim

Whether from an accident, and act of nature or an act of vandalism, there may come a time when you need to file an auto insurance claim. The information below will help you know what to expect as you work your way through the claims maze.

So, you've had an accident. What do you do now? Where do you begin? Following the steps below will help you get started with filing an auto insurance claim.

To file an auto insurance claim, you should begin with these steps:

1. Call your insurance agent as soon as possible, no matter who is at fault. Find out whether you're covered for this loss. Even if the accident seems minor, you should still let your insurance company know about it.
2. Ask your insurance agent what you should do next and what forms or documents are needed to support your claim. Your insurance company will require a proof of claim form and, if there is one, a copy of the police report.
3. Give your insurance company the information it needs. Be sure to fill out the claim form carefully and keep good records. Get the names and phone numbers of everyone you speak with and make copies of any bills related to the accident.
4. Ask your insurance agent these questions:
   

• Does my policy contain a time limit for filing claims and submitting bills?
• Is there a time limit for resolving claims disputes?
• If I need to submit additional information, is there a time limit?
• When can I expect the insurance company to contact me?
• Do I need to get repair estimates for the damage to my car?
• Will my policy pay for a rental car while my car is being repaired?

After the Claim is Submitted

Once you've submitted your claim to your insurance company, a claims adjuster will usually be assigned to investigate your claim. You should receive an introductory phone call, letter or email from the adjuster, and he or she will inform you of the general process the insurance company follows. The adjuster will review your policy to see what coverage and deductibles you have and investigate the extent of damage and/or injuries that resulted from the accident.

Some claims are simple, while others are more difficult. Here's what you can generally expect:

Simple Claims:
In cases where there is no question as to what happened (you backed into a sign, were not injured and had $100 worth of damage to your vehicle), the adjuster may simply have you get an estimate for the cost of repairing the car and pay that amount. You'll have to complete some paperwork, but an in-person meeting is usually not required.

Difficult Claims:
In difficult cases where fault is in question, several vehicles were involved or unusual circumstances such as bad weather surrounded the accident, the adjuster will generally contact everyone involved in the accident, including drivers, passengers, witnesses, and possibly the police officer who responded to the accident to get accurate details of what really happened. The claims adjuster may conduct interviews, either in person or by phone, research traffic laws where the accident occurred and review photos of damage and hospital records to collect additional information. Once the adjuster has all the information, the claim is sent for processing and payment. Again, you'll have to complete a certain amount of paperwork and may have to meet with an adjuster in this scenario.

How long does the claims settlement process take?
Easy cases can usually be settled in a matter of weeks, but difficult cases usually take much longer - especially when fault is at issue. But since every accident is different and unique, it's difficult to pin down an exact time frame. Try to be patient, but at the same time...

Take some initiative.
Once you've submitted a claim, stay on top of it. Check in with your claims adjuster periodically, either by phone or email, to check the status of your claim. Claims adjusters usually have hundreds of claims to settle, so don't let yours get pushed aside.