What happens after you report an accident to your insurer

After you report an accident, your insurance company assigns a claims adjuster to your case. That adjuster's job is to investigate what happened, determine who was at fault, and calculate what your insurer owes. You will need to provide a written statement about the accident, photos of vehicle damage, the police report number (if one was filed), and contact information for any witnesses. The adjuster may also request medical records if you are claiming injury-related costs.

The timeline from report to settlement varies. straightforward claims with clear liability and minor damage may close in two to four weeks. Complex claims involving multiple vehicles, disputed fault, or serious injuries can take several months. Your adjuster will contact you with updates, but you can also call your claims number to check status.

Key Takeaways

  • Report the accident to your insurer within the timeframe stated in your policy — typically within 24 to 72 hours — and provide your policy number, the other driver's information, and a description of what happened.
  • Gather photos of all vehicle damage, the accident scene, road conditions, and traffic signs, plus the police report number and contact details for any witnesses who saw the collision.
  • Your adjuster will request a written statement, medical records if you are claiming injuries, repair estimates, and proof of any expenses you incurred as a result of the accident.
  • If the other driver's insurer is paying your claim, your adjuster will coordinate with their adjuster; if your own insurer is paying under your collision or comprehensive coverage, the process is faster but subject to your deductible.
  • You have the right to dispute the adjuster's decision, request a second opinion on repair costs, or hire your own appraiser if you disagree with the damage assessment.

Reporting the accident to your insurer

Call your insurance company's claims line as soon as safely possible after the accident. Most policies require notice within 24 to 72 hours; delaying beyond that window can give your insurer grounds to deny the claim. Have your policy number ready and be prepared to provide the date, time, and location of the accident, a brief description of what happened, the other driver's name and contact information, their vehicle details (make, model, year, license plate), and their insurance company and policy number if you have it.

Do not admit fault or apologize for the accident during this call. Stick to factual details: "I was stopped at a red light when the other vehicle struck my rear bumper." Your insurer will ask whether you want to file a claim under your own coverage (collision or comprehensive) or pursue the other driver's insurer. This choice depends on your deductible, the other driver's liability limits, and whether fault is clear.

Documents and information your adjuster will request

After you report the claim, your adjuster will send you a list of required documents. Standard requests include a signed statement describing the accident in your own words, photos of all vehicle damage from multiple angles, photos of the accident scene showing road conditions and traffic signals, the police report number and a copy of the report itself if available, and contact information for any witnesses. If you are claiming medical expenses, you will need to provide medical records, bills, and proof of payment.

Keep copies of everything you submit. If you have receipts for rental car costs, towing, or other accident-related expenses, include those as well. Some adjusters ask for your vehicle's maintenance records to establish that the car was in good condition before the accident. Do not throw away damaged parts or allow repairs to begin until the adjuster has inspected the vehicle or approved the repair estimate.

How fault and liability are determined

Your adjuster will review the police report, your statement, the other driver's statement, witness statements, and photos to determine who was at fault. In states with comparative negligence laws, both drivers can share fault — for example, one driver might be found 70% at fault and the other 30%. Your insurer will only pay the portion of damages that corresponds to the other driver's share of fault. In no-fault states (like Michigan, Florida, and New York), each driver's own insurer pays their medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident, though liability still matters for property damage claims.

If the other driver's insurer agrees with your adjuster's assessment of fault, the claim moves forward quickly. If they dispute fault, both adjusters will exchange evidence and may request additional investigation. This disagreement can delay settlement by weeks or months. You can ask your adjuster to explain their reasoning in writing if you disagree with their fault information.

Repair estimates and damage assessment

Your adjuster will either inspect your vehicle in person or request repair estimates from body shops. Many insurers use a network of preferred repair shops that have agreed to specific pricing. You are not required to use a preferred shop — you can choose any licensed repair facility — but using a non-preferred shop may result in a longer claims process or a lower payout if the insurer's estimate differs from the shop's estimate.

If you disagree with the adjuster's damage assessment or repair estimate, you can obtain a second estimate from another body shop at no cost to you. Some insurers will split the difference between two estimates; others will send an independent appraiser to review both. If the disagreement is significant, you have the right to hire your own appraiser, though you may pay for that service upfront and then seek reimbursement from your insurer if your appraiser's assessment is substantially higher.

When the other driver's insurer is paying your claim

If the other driver is clearly at fault and their insurer has accepted liability, their adjuster will handle the claim. Your own insurer may still be involved as a backup, but the other driver's insurer takes the lead. This process is often faster because there is no deductible — the at-fault driver's insurer pays the full amount of covered damages. However, you will need to provide the same documentation: photos, police report, medical records if applicable, and repair estimates.

The at-fault insurer's adjuster may contact you directly or work through your insurer. Either way, you should provide information to both adjusters to avoid delays. If the at-fault insurer denies the claim or offers a settlement you believe is too low, you can dispute their decision or pursue a small claims lawsuit if the amount is within your state's small claims court limit (typically $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the state).

Using your own coverage when fault is unclear or shared

If fault is disputed, unclear, or shared, you may choose to file a claim under your own collision or comprehensive coverage instead of waiting for the other insurer to accept liability. This route gets you paid faster — your adjuster will process the claim and pay you minus your deductible — but you will owe your deductible upfront. Your insurer then pursues the other driver's insurer for reimbursement in a process called subrogation.

Subrogation can take months or even years, and your insurer may not recover the full amount if the other driver's liability limits are low or if they are uninsured. If your insurer does recover money through subrogation, they will typically refund your deductible. This option makes sense if you need your vehicle repaired quickly and can afford the deductible, or if you believe the other insurer will dispute liability for a long time.

Disputing the adjuster's decision

If you disagree with your adjuster's assessment of damage, repair costs, or fault, you have several options. First, ask your adjuster to provide their reasoning in writing and explain which evidence supports their decision. Many disagreements can be resolved through conversation once you understand the adjuster's logic.

If you still disagree, you can request that your insurer send a different adjuster to review the claim, or you can hire an independent appraiser to assess the damage. Some policies include an appraisal clause that allows you and your insurer to each hire an appraiser; if those two disagree, they select a third appraiser and the majority decision is binding. You can also file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner if you believe your insurer has acted unfairly or violated state insurance law.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to report an accident to my insurance company?

Most policies require notice within 24 to 72 hours. Check your policy documents for the exact timeframe. Reporting late can give your insurer grounds to deny the claim, so call as soon as it is safe to do so.

Do I have to use the repair shop my insurance company recommends?

No. You can choose any licensed repair facility. Using a non-preferred shop may result in a longer claims process or require you to obtain multiple estimates, but you are not obligated to use your insurer's network.

What if I am partially at fault for the accident?

In comparative negligence states, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are 20% at fault and damages total $10,000, you would receive $8,000. In no-fault states, your own insurer covers your medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault, though liability still applies to property damage.

Can I settle my claim for less than the adjuster's estimate?

Yes. If you choose not to repair the vehicle or prefer to accept a lower payout, you can agree to a settlement amount with your adjuster. This is called a cash settlement or total loss settlement if the vehicle is not repairable.

What happens if the other driver does not have insurance?

You would file a claim under your own collision coverage (if you have it) and pay your deductible. Your insurer may pursue the uninsured driver through your state's uninsured motorist fund or through small claims court, but recovery is often difficult or impossible.