What happens when you file an auto accident claim
When you file an auto accident claim, you are telling your insurance company that you have had a collision or other vehicle damage and are asking them to pay for repairs or injuries under the terms of your policy. The insurer will assign an adjuster to your case, who will investigate what happened, review your policy coverage, and decide what the company will pay. This process typically takes two to six weeks from the time you report the accident, though complex cases or disputes over fault can take longer.
The claim exists to transfer the financial burden of the accident from you to the insurance company—but only for the types of damage your specific policy covers. If you have collision coverage, the insurer pays for damage to your car. If you have liability coverage, the insurer pays for damage you caused to someone else's property or injuries you caused to someone else. If you do not have a particular type of coverage, the claim will not cover that type of damage, and you will be responsible for the cost.
Understanding what happens at each step—reporting, investigation, and settlement—helps you provide the information adjusters need and protects you from accepting a settlement that does not reflect your actual losses.
Key Takeaways
- Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible, ideally within 24 to 48 hours, and provide the date, time, location, and a basic description of what happened.
- Gather and keep all evidence: photos of vehicle damage, the accident scene, weather conditions, the other driver's insurance information, and contact details for any witnesses.
- The insurance adjuster will inspect your vehicle, review police reports if available, and determine what repairs or payments your policy covers based on your coverage type and deductible.
- You have the right to get a second repair estimate if you disagree with the insurer's estimate, and you can dispute the settlement offer if it does not match your documented losses.
- Keep copies of every document you submit—photos, receipts, medical records, repair quotes—because you may need them to support a dispute or future claim.
Steps to take when ready after the accident
The first step is to move your vehicle to safety if it is drivable and no one is seriously injured. Turn on hazard lights, move to the shoulder or a parking area away from traffic, and turn off the engine. If anyone is injured or the vehicles cannot be moved safely, call 911. If there is no injury but there is significant damage or the other driver appears to be at fault, call the police for a report—this document becomes part of your claim file.
Exchange information with the other driver: full name, phone number, address, driver's license number, vehicle make and model, license plate, and insurance company name and policy number. Do not admit fault or apologize for the accident, as these statements can be used against you later. If there are witnesses, ask for their names and phone numbers. Take photos of both vehicles from multiple angles, the accident scene, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. These photos are evidence and will support your claim.
Do not leave the scene until you have completed the police report (if one was filed) and exchanged information. Once you are in a safe location, contact your insurance company to report the accident. Most insurers have a 24-hour claims line. Have the other driver's information, your policy number, and a description of what happened ready when you call.
What the insurance adjuster will do
After you report the claim, the insurance company will assign an adjuster to investigate. The adjuster's job is to determine what happened, establish who was at fault, and calculate what the insurer owes under your policy. The adjuster will contact you to schedule an inspection of your vehicle, review the police report if one exists, and may contact the other driver and any witnesses.
During the vehicle inspection, the adjuster will photograph the damage, measure it, and compare it to repair estimates. If the damage is minor, the adjuster may approve repairs at a preferred repair shop. If the damage is extensive, the adjuster may declare the vehicle a total loss—meaning the cost to repair exceeds a certain percentage of the vehicle's value (usually 70 to 80 percent, depending on your state). In a total loss, the insurer pays you the actual cash value of the vehicle minus your deductible, and you surrender the title to the insurance company.
The adjuster will also review your policy to confirm what types of coverage you have and what your deductible is. If you have collision coverage, the insurer pays for damage to your vehicle. If you have comprehensive coverage, the insurer pays for damage from theft, weather, or vandalism. If you have liability coverage, the insurer pays for damage you caused to the other driver's vehicle or property. The adjuster will send you a written estimate or settlement offer that explains what is covered and what you owe.
Understanding your deductible and coverage limits
Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before the insurance company pays anything. If you have a $500 deductible and your repair bill is $3,000, you pay $500 and the insurer pays $2,500. If your repair bill is $300, you pay the full $300 because it is less than your deductible. The deductible applies to collision and comprehensive claims but not to liability claims (where the insurer pays the other person's damages directly).
Your coverage limits are the maximum amount the insurer will pay for a particular type of damage. If you have $100,000 in liability coverage and you cause an accident that injures someone, the insurer will pay up to $100,000 for that person's medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If the actual damages exceed your limit, you are responsible for the difference. This is why having adequate coverage limits matters—if your limit is too low, a serious accident can leave you personally liable for thousands of dollars.
Review your policy documents to understand exactly what you are covered for. The declarations page lists your coverage types, limits, and deductible. If you are unsure what a term means, ask your insurance agent to explain it before you need to file a claim.
What to do if you disagree with the settlement offer
If the adjuster's repair estimate seems too low, you have the right to get a second estimate from an independent repair shop. Provide both estimates to the insurance company. If the estimates differ significantly, the insurer may send another adjuster to review, or may agree to split the difference. Some policies allow you to choose your own repair shop rather than using the insurer's preferred shop, though you may pay more out of pocket if the shop's estimate is higher.
If you believe the insurer has undervalued your vehicle in a total loss, you can dispute the valuation. The insurer bases the value on industry guides like NADA Guides or Kelley Blue Book, which use the vehicle's age, mileage, condition, and local market data. If you have documentation that your vehicle was in better condition than the guide assumes—recent repairs, low mileage, or service records—provide that to the adjuster. You can also hire an independent appraiser, though you will pay for this out of pocket unless you win a dispute.
If the insurer denies your claim entirely, you have the right to file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner. Keep all documents related to the claim: photos, repair estimates, medical records, correspondence with the insurer, and the denial letter. These documents support your complaint and may be needed if you pursue further action.
Handling claims when you are not at fault
If the other driver caused the accident, their liability insurance should pay for your repairs and medical expenses. However, you do not have to wait for their insurer to accept fault before you file a claim with your own insurance. You can file a claim with your own collision or comprehensive coverage when ready, pay your deductible, and let your insurer pursue the other driver's insurer for reimbursement. This is called subrogation, and it protects you from delays while the two insurers argue over fault.
If you file with your own insurer, you will typically pay your deductible upfront. Once your insurer recovers money from the other driver's insurer through subrogation, your insurer will refund your deductible. This process can take several months because the two insurers must agree on fault and the amount owed. In the meantime, your vehicle gets repaired and you are not stuck waiting.
If you choose to file a claim directly with the other driver's insurer instead, that insurer will investigate and decide whether to accept liability. If they accept liability, they will pay for your repairs without a deductible. If they deny liability, you will have to file with your own insurer or pursue a lawsuit. Filing with your own insurer first is usually faster and protects you from being stuck in a dispute between insurers.
Documents you will need for your claim
Gather and organize these documents before you contact your insurer or as soon as possible after the accident. The police report (if one was filed) contains the officer's account of what happened and is one of the most important documents in your file. The other driver's insurance information and contact details allow the insurer to coordinate with the other party. Photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and road conditions provide visual evidence of what happened and how severe the damage is.
Medical records and bills document any injuries you sustained and their cost. Repair estimates from may have access to shops show what repairs will cost and support the adjuster's estimate. Your policy documents and declarations page confirm what coverage you have and what your deductible is. Witness statements or contact information allow the adjuster to corroborate your account. Keep all of these in one folder, either physical or digital, so you can provide them quickly if the insurer requests them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to report an accident to my insurance company?
Most policies require you to report an accident as soon as possible, usually within 24 to 48 hours. Delaying the report can give the insurer reason to deny the claim, so call the claims line when ready after the accident, even if it is late at night or on a weekend. Most insurers have 24-hour phone lines for this reason.
Will my insurance rates go up if I file a claim?
Whether your rates increase depends on your policy, your insurer, and whether you were at fault. If you were at fault, most insurers will increase your rates for three to five years. If you were not at fault, many insurers will not increase your rates, though some will. Check your policy or ask your agent what your insurer's policy is on not-at-fault claims.
What 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 vehicle and medical expenses caused by an uninsured driver. You will still pay your deductible. If you do not have uninsured motorist coverage, you may be able to pursue the other driver in small claims court, though collecting a judgment can be difficult.
Can I choose my own repair shop, or do I have to use the insurer's shop?
Most policies allow you to choose your own repair shop. The insurer cannot force you to use a preferred shop, but if you choose an independent shop and their estimate is higher than the insurer's estimate, you may have to pay the difference out of pocket. Ask your insurer about their preferred shops and get estimates from both preferred and independent shops before deciding.
What happens if my vehicle is declared a total loss?
If your vehicle is a total loss, the insurer will pay you the actual cash value of the vehicle minus your deductible. You will surrender the title to the insurer, and the vehicle becomes their property. The insurer may sell the vehicle to a salvage yard or auction. You will not be able to drive the vehicle legally after the title is transferred, so arrange for a replacement vehicle before you accept the total loss settlement.