What happens after you file a car accident claim
After you report an accident to your insurance company, an adjuster is assigned to your claim. That adjuster will contact you within one to three business days to schedule an inspection of your vehicle and take a recorded statement about what happened. You will need to provide your policy number, the other driver's information (name, phone number, address, insurance company and policy number), photos of the damage, and a description of how the accident occurred.
The adjuster inspects your vehicle, reviews police reports if one was filed, and may contact witnesses or the other driver's insurance company. Once the investigation is complete — typically within two to four weeks — the adjuster sends you a repair estimate and a decision on coverage. If your claim is approved, you can either have the insurance company pay the repair shop directly or receive a check to handle repairs yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible, ideally within 24 to 48 hours, even if you are unsure whether you will file a claim.
- Gather the other driver's name, phone number, address, insurance company, policy number, and vehicle information at the scene, plus photos of all vehicle damage and the accident location.
- An adjuster will contact you to schedule a vehicle inspection and take a recorded statement about how the accident happened.
- The claims process typically takes two to four weeks from report to decision, though complex accidents or disputes over fault may take longer.
- You may owe a deductible before insurance pays for repairs, and that amount is set in your policy.
Reporting the accident to your insurance company
Call your insurance company's claims line as soon as safely possible after the accident. Most insurers have a 24-hour phone line for new claims. Have your policy number ready and be prepared to answer basic questions: the date, time, and location of the accident; how many vehicles were involved; whether anyone was injured; and whether police responded.
Do not admit fault or apologize for the accident during this call. Stick to the facts of what happened. The insurance company will ask you to describe the accident in your own words, and this conversation may be recorded. You do not need to provide a detailed statement when ready — you can ask to do that when the adjuster calls to schedule the inspection.
Information you need to collect at the scene
Before you leave the accident scene, write down the other driver's full name, phone number, home address, driver's license number, vehicle make and model, license plate number, and insurance company name and policy number. If there are passengers in either vehicle, get their names and phone numbers as well. Ask whether the other driver was the vehicle owner; if not, get the owner's information too.
Take photos of all vehicle damage from multiple angles, the accident location, road conditions, traffic signs or signals, and the overall scene. If there are witnesses who are not passengers, ask for their names and phone numbers. If police responded, get the officer's name, badge number, and the report number. Do not leave the scene until you have this information — it is much harder to track down later.
What the adjuster will ask you
When the adjuster contacts you, they will ask you to describe the accident in detail: where you were going, what you were doing just before the collision, what you saw, what you heard, and what happened when ready after. They will ask about road and weather conditions, whether traffic signals or signs were present, and whether you or anyone in your vehicle was injured.
The adjuster will also ask about your vehicle's condition before the accident, whether you have had recent repairs, and whether you have any outstanding loans or liens on the vehicle. This information helps the adjuster determine the actual cash value of your car if it is totaled. Answer honestly and completely. If you do not remember something, say so rather than guessing.
The vehicle inspection and damage assessment
The adjuster will schedule a time to inspect your vehicle, usually at a repair shop of your choice or at a location you both agree on. Bring your keys and be present for the inspection. The adjuster will photograph the damage, measure it, and compare it to repair estimates from local shops. If the damage is minor, the inspection may happen at your home or workplace.
For major damage, the adjuster may send the vehicle to a certified appraiser or use a computer estimating system to calculate repair costs. If your vehicle is totaled — meaning the cost to repair it exceeds 70 to 80 percent of its actual cash value (the percentage varies by state) — the insurance company will declare it a total loss and offer you the vehicle's pre-accident value minus your deductible.
Deductibles and how they affect your payout
Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance covers the rest of the repair bill. Common deductibles are $500, $1,000, or $2,500. If your repair estimate is $3,000 and your deductible is $500, insurance will pay $2,500 and you pay $500. If the repair estimate is $400 and your deductible is $500, insurance pays nothing because the damage is less than your deductible.
Your deductible applies to collision and comprehensive coverage but not to liability coverage (which pays for damage you cause to someone else's vehicle or property). If the accident was the other driver's fault and their insurance is paying, you should not owe your deductible — the other driver's insurance pays the full repair cost. However, if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may need to use your own collision coverage and pay your deductible.
Disputes over fault and how they delay claims
If both drivers dispute who caused the accident, the claims process takes longer. Each insurance company investigates independently, reviews police reports, interviews witnesses, and may hire an accident reconstructionist. This investigation can add two to six weeks to the timeline. During this time, your vehicle remains in the adjuster's possession or at a repair shop.
If the two insurance companies cannot agree on fault, some states allow the companies to submit the dispute to binding arbitration, where a neutral third party reviews the evidence and makes a decision. Other states use comparative fault rules, which assign a percentage of responsibility to each driver. Your insurance company will explain how your state handles these disputes and what it means for your claim.
What to do if your claim is denied
If your insurance company denies your claim, they must provide a written explanation of why. Common reasons include that the damage is not covered under your policy (for example, wear and tear or mechanical failure), that you did not pay your premium, or that you misrepresented information on your process. Read the denial letter carefully and contact your insurance company to ask for clarification.
If you disagree with the denial, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner or department of insurance. You can also hire an independent appraiser to assess the damage and challenge the insurance company's estimate. Some policies include an appraisal clause that allows you and the insurance company to each hire an appraiser; if they disagree, a third appraiser breaks the tie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the repair shop the insurance company recommends?
No. You can use any repair shop you choose, though some insurance companies have preferred shops that they work with regularly. If you use a non-preferred shop, the insurance company will still pay based on the repair estimate, but you may pay more out of pocket if the shop charges more than the estimate. Always get the insurance company's approval before starting repairs.
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) or your collision coverage. You will owe your deductible, and the process is similar to a regular claim. Your insurance company may pursue the uninsured driver in court to recover what they paid, but that does not affect your claim.
How long do I have to report an accident to my insurance company?
Most insurance policies require you to report an accident within 30 days, though reporting within 24 to 48 hours is strongly recommended. Delaying the report can make it harder for the adjuster to investigate and may give the insurance company grounds to deny the claim if they believe you waited too long.
Can I get a rental car while my vehicle is being repaired?
If your policy includes rental reimbursement coverage, your insurance company will pay for a rental car while yours is in the shop. The daily limit is usually $30 to $50, and the total coverage is often capped at $900 to $1,500. You must request this when you file your claim, and the insurance company will arrange the rental or reimburse you for the cost.
What if I disagree with the repair estimate?
You can get a second estimate from another repair shop and submit it to your insurance company. If the estimates differ significantly, the insurance company may send an independent appraiser to assess the damage. Some policies include an appraisal clause that lets you and the insurance company each hire an appraiser; if they disagree, a neutral third appraiser makes the final decision.