What happens when you file a car insurance claim

A car insurance claim is a formal request to your insurance company to pay for damage or loss covered by your policy. When you file a claim, you tell the insurer what happened, provide evidence (photos, police reports, medical records), and the company decides whether to pay and how much. The process usually takes two to six weeks, though it can be faster for straightforward damage and slower for disputes or injuries.

Your claim goes to an adjuster — a person employed by or contracted to your insurance company — who investigates the incident, reviews your policy, and determines what the insurer owes. If the claim is approved, the company pays either you or the repair shop directly, depending on your policy and the type of damage. If the claim is denied, the insurer must explain why in writing.

Key Takeaways

  • You must report a claim to your insurance company within the timeframe stated in your policy — usually 30 to 60 days — or risk losing coverage for that incident.
  • An adjuster will inspect the damage, review your policy, and decide what the insurer will pay based on your coverage limits and deductible.
  • Collision and comprehensive coverage pay for damage to your own car; liability coverage pays for damage or injury you cause to someone else.
  • Keep photos, repair estimates, receipts, and any police or medical reports, because the adjuster will ask for these to support your claim.
  • If you disagree with the adjuster's decision, you can request a review, hire an independent appraiser, or file a complaint with your state insurance regulator.

The difference between collision, comprehensive, and liability claims

Collision coverage pays for damage to your car caused by a crash with another vehicle or object — a tree, guardrail, or pothole. It covers accidents you cause and accidents caused by someone else. You pay a deductible (usually $500 to $1,000) before the insurer pays the rest, up to your car's actual cash value.

Comprehensive coverage pays for damage that is not a collision: theft, vandalism, weather (hail, flooding, wind), animal strikes, or falling objects. It also has a deductible and a limit based on your car's value. Many people confuse comprehensive with collision because both cover your own vehicle, but the trigger is different — collision is impact, comprehensive is everything else.

Liability coverage pays for damage or injury you cause to someone else or their property. It does not cover your own car or injuries to you. If you cause a crash, liability pays the other driver's medical bills, vehicle repairs, and legal costs up to your policy limit. Liability has no deductible — the insurer pays from dollar one, but only up to the limit you chose when you bought the policy.

How to file a claim step by step

First, make sure everyone is safe. If anyone is injured or there is significant damage, call 911. If police respond, get the report number — you will need it for your claim.

Next, contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Most insurers have a claims phone line, a mobile app, or an online portal. Have your policy number ready. Tell the representative what happened, when it happened, and where. Do not admit fault or apologize for the accident; stick to the facts. The insurer will assign an adjuster and give you a claim number.

Take photos and video of all damage — your car, the other vehicle (if involved), the scene, and any visible injuries. Get the other driver's name, phone number, address, driver's license number, license plate, vehicle make and model, and insurance company and policy number. If there are witnesses, get their contact information too. Do not sign anything the other driver offers you.

Gather documents: your insurance policy, the police report (if filed), medical records (if injured), repair estimates, receipts for temporary repairs, and photos. Send these to your adjuster or upload them through your insurer's portal. Keep copies for yourself.

What the adjuster does and how long it takes

The adjuster's job is to verify that the claim is covered under your policy, that the damage is real, and that the amount you are asking for is reasonable. They may inspect your car in person, request additional photos, order a medical exam (for injury claims), or contact witnesses. They will also check whether you were in violation of your policy — for example, if you were driving without a valid license or using the car for commercial purposes when your policy forbids it.

The timeline depends on the complexity of the claim. A straightforward fender-bender with no injuries and clear liability may be approved in one to two weeks. A claim involving multiple vehicles, injuries, or disagreement over fault can take four to eight weeks. If the adjuster needs to order an independent inspection or medical evaluation, add another two to four weeks.

Once the adjuster finishes, they write a report recommending approval, partial approval, or denial. The insurer then issues a decision. If approved, you receive a check or the repair shop is paid directly. If denied, you get a written explanation of why.

Your deductible and how it affects your payout

A deductible is the amount you agree to pay out of pocket before your insurance company pays anything. Common deductibles are $250, $500, $1,000, or $2,500. The higher your deductible, the lower your monthly premium; the lower your deductible, the higher your premium.

If you have collision coverage with a $500 deductible and your car sustains $3,000 in damage, you pay $500 and the insurer pays $2,500. If the damage is $400, you pay the full $400 because it is less than your deductible — the insurer pays nothing. Comprehensive coverage also has a deductible, but liability coverage does not.

Some insurers offer a $0 deductible for glass-only claims (windshield, windows) or waive the deductible if you are not at fault and the other driver's insurer accepts liability. Ask your agent whether your policy includes these options.

What to do if your claim is denied or you disagree with the payout

If your claim is denied, the insurer must send you a written explanation. Common reasons for denial include: the damage is not covered under your policy (for example, you filed a collision claim but only had liability coverage), you did not report the claim within the required timeframe, the damage was caused by something excluded in your policy (like wear and tear or racing), or you violated the policy terms (like driving without a valid license).

If you believe the denial is wrong, request a review in writing. Provide any new evidence or documentation that supports your claim. Some insurers have an internal appeals process; others will send your file to an independent reviewer. This can take two to four weeks.

If the internal review does not resolve the dispute, you can hire an independent appraiser to inspect the damage and provide a separate estimate. If your estimate and the insurer's estimate differ by a certain amount (usually $500 or more), many policies allow you to invoke an appraisal clause, which brings in a third appraiser to settle the disagreement. The cost is split between you and the insurer.

You can also file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner or department of insurance. This is free and does not require a lawyer. The regulator will investigate whether the insurer violated state law and can order the company to pay if they find wrongdoing.

How fault and your driving record affect claims

If you are found to be at fault for an accident, your claim is still covered (assuming you have the right coverage), but filing the claim may raise your premium at renewal. Most insurers increase rates by 10 to 40 percent after an at-fault accident, depending on the severity and your history. This increase usually lasts three to five years.

If the other driver is at fault and their insurer accepts liability, you can file a claim through their liability coverage instead of your own. This is called a third-party claim. Your insurer does not get involved; you work directly with the other driver's insurance company. Filing a third-party claim does not raise your own premium because you are not at fault.

If liability is unclear or disputed, both insurers may investigate. Some states use comparative fault rules, which means both drivers can be found partially at fault. For example, if you are found 20 percent at fault and the other driver 80 percent at fault, the other driver's insurer pays 80 percent of your damages and you pay 20 percent (or your insurer pays it and pursues recovery from the other insurer).

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to report a claim to my insurance company?

Most policies require you to report a claim within 30 to 60 days of the incident. Check your policy documents for the exact important date. Reporting late can result in denial of the claim, so contact your insurer as soon as possible after an accident or loss.

Can I choose my own repair shop, or does the insurance company pick one?

You can usually choose your own repair shop. The insurer will pay based on the estimate they approve, which may be less than what your preferred shop charges. Some insurers have a network of preferred shops that offer discounts; using one of these shops can speed up the process and reduce your out-of-pocket cost.

What if the insurance company's estimate is much lower than the repair shop's estimate?

Get a second estimate from another repair shop and send it to your adjuster. If the estimates differ significantly, you can request an appraisal. Many policies allow you and the insurer to each hire an appraiser, and if they disagree, a third neutral appraiser makes the final decision. The cost is usually split between you and the insurer.

Will filing a claim raise my insurance premium?

Filing a claim may raise your premium at renewal if you are found at fault. The increase depends on the severity of the accident and your driving history. If you are not at fault and the other driver's insurer pays, your premium typically does not increase. Some insurers offer accident forgiveness, which prevents a rate increase after your first at-fault accident.

What should I do if the other driver does not have insurance?

If the other driver is uninsured, you can file a claim under your own uninsured motorist coverage (if you have it). This coverage pays for damage to your car and medical expenses up to your policy limit. You will still pay your deductible. If you do not have uninsured motorist coverage, you may need to pursue the other driver in small claims court or hire a lawyer.