What happens after a car accident: the claim process
After a car accident, your insurance company needs to know what happened, who was involved, and what damage occurred before they can decide what to pay for. You report the accident to your insurer, they assign an adjuster to investigate, and that adjuster determines fault and the cost of repairs or replacement. The timeline from report to payment usually takes two to six weeks, though it can be faster for straightforward accidents or slower if liability is disputed.
The key difference between a car accident claim and other insurance claims is that fault matters legally. If you caused the accident, your liability coverage pays the other person's damages (up to your policy limit), and your collision or comprehensive coverage pays yours. If the other driver caused it, their liability insurance should pay your damages, though you may need to file a claim against their policy instead of yours.
You do not have to use your own insurance to file a claim after an accident. You can file directly against the other driver's liability insurance if you have their information and their insurer confirms they have a policy. Many people do this to avoid raising their own rates. However, if the other driver is uninsured or unidentified, or if their insurance denies the claim, you will need to file under your own collision coverage or uninsured motorist protection.
Key Takeaways
- Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours, and provide a clear account of what happened, where, and when.
- Gather the other driver's name, phone number, address, driver's license number, license plate, vehicle identification number (VIN), and insurance company name and policy number at the scene.
- You can file a claim against the other driver's liability insurance directly if you have their information, which may keep your own rates from increasing.
- An insurance adjuster will inspect the damage, review police reports if available, and determine fault before authorizing repairs or payment.
- Keep receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident, such as rental car costs or medical treatment, because you may be able to claim them.
What to do when ready after the accident
At the scene, move to safety if possible and call 911 if anyone is injured or if there is significant damage. Even if the accident seems minor, a police report creates an official record that your insurance company and the other driver's insurer will reference. In many states, you are required to report accidents above a certain damage threshold (often $500 to $1,000) to the police or highway patrol.
Write down the date, time, location, weather conditions, and exactly what happened—who hit whom, which direction each vehicle was traveling, and what you were doing when the collision occurred. Take photos of the damage to both vehicles, the accident scene, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. Get the names, phone numbers, and addresses of any witnesses who saw the accident, because their statements can be valuable if fault is disputed.
Exchange information with the other driver: full name, phone number, home address, driver's license number, license plate number, vehicle make and model, VIN, and insurance company name and policy number. Do not admit fault or apologize for the accident, even if you think you caused it—that statement can be used against you later. straightforward say you will let the insurance companies sort out what happened.
Reporting the accident to your insurance company
Call your insurance company's claims line as soon as you can, ideally within 24 hours. Have your policy number, the other driver's information, and your account of the accident ready. The representative will ask you to describe what happened, confirm the vehicles and people involved, and note any injuries. They will also ask whether you have a police report number, which you should provide if one was filed.
Be factual and stick to what you saw and heard. Do not speculate about what the other driver was thinking or whether they were distracted. If you are unsure about any detail, say so—guessing can create inconsistencies that complicate the claim later. Your insurer will record this conversation, so speak clearly and take notes on the representative's name, the date and time of the call, and your claim number.
Your insurance company will assign an adjuster to your claim. The adjuster is the person who will inspect the damage, review the police report, contact the other driver or their insurer, and decide who was at fault and what the repairs or replacement will cost. You will typically hear from the adjuster within a few business days.
The adjuster's investigation and damage assessment
The adjuster will contact you to schedule a time to inspect your vehicle. This inspection can happen at a repair shop, a claims center, or sometimes at your home if the vehicle is not drivable. Bring your keys, your insurance card, and any photos you took at the accident scene. The adjuster will photograph the damage, measure it, and use repair estimates and industry databases to determine the cost of fixing the vehicle.
If your vehicle is totaled—meaning the cost to repair it exceeds 70 to 80 percent of its market value (the percentage varies by state and insurer)—the adjuster will declare it a total loss. Your insurer will then pay you the actual cash value of the vehicle, which is what a similar car in similar condition would sell for in your area. This is usually less than what you paid for it, especially if the vehicle is older.
The adjuster will also review the police report and may contact the other driver or their insurer to gather their account of the accident. If both drivers agree on fault, the process moves forward quickly. If fault is disputed, the adjuster may request additional statements from witnesses or review traffic camera footage if available.
Understanding fault and how it affects your claim
Fault determines whose insurance pays. If you are found to be at fault, your collision coverage pays for your vehicle's repairs (minus your deductible), and your liability coverage pays for the other person's damages. If the other driver is at fault, their liability insurance should pay for your damages, and you should not have to use your own coverage.
Some states follow comparative fault rules, which means both drivers can share responsibility. For example, if you were found to be 20 percent at fault and the other driver 80 percent at fault, the other driver's insurance pays 80 percent of your damages, and your insurance covers the remaining 20 percent (minus your deductible). Other states follow contributory fault rules, where you cannot recover anything if you are found to be even partially at fault.
If you disagree with the adjuster's fault information, you can request a review or file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner. You can also hire an independent appraiser to assess the damage and provide a second opinion on repair costs, though you will pay for this service upfront.
Filing a claim against the other driver's insurance
If the other driver was clearly at fault and you have their insurance information, you can file a claim directly against their liability policy instead of using your own collision coverage. This is called a third-party claim. To do this, contact the other driver's insurance company, provide your information and an account of the accident, and ask them to open a claim.
The other driver's insurer will assign their own adjuster to investigate. That adjuster will contact you, inspect your vehicle, and determine whether their policyholder is liable. If they agree that their driver caused the accident, they will authorize repairs or payment. If they deny the claim, you will need to file under your own collision coverage or pursue the claim in small claims court or through a lawyer.
Filing a third-party claim takes longer than filing with your own insurer because you are dealing with a company that has no direct relationship with you. However, if the claim is approved, you avoid using your own coverage and your rates should not increase. Keep all correspondence with the other driver's insurer in writing—email or certified mail—so you have a record of what was said and when.
What to do if the other driver is uninsured or unidentified
If the other driver has no insurance or you could not get their information, you will need to file under your own uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage or your collision coverage. UMPD is optional in most states and covers damage caused by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. Collision coverage covers damage to your vehicle regardless of fault, but you pay your deductible.
If you were hit by an uninsured driver and you have UMPD coverage, file a claim with your own insurer and explain that the other driver was uninsured. Your adjuster will investigate and, if they confirm the other driver had no insurance, will approve the claim under your UMPD coverage. You will pay your UMPD deductible, which is often lower than your collision deductible.
If you do not have UMPD coverage and the other driver is uninsured, your only option is collision coverage. You will pay your collision deductible, and your insurer may pursue the uninsured driver in court to recover the cost, though this is often unsuccessful if the driver has no assets or insurance.
Keeping track of expenses and documentation
Save every receipt and document related to the accident and your claim. This includes the police report, photos you took at the scene, medical bills if you were injured, receipts for a rental car while yours is being repaired, and any out-of-pocket expenses like transportation costs or hotel stays if you were stranded. Your insurer may ask for these documents to support your claim.
If you rent a car while yours is being repaired, check whether your insurance policy covers rental car expenses. Many policies include rental reimbursement coverage up to a daily limit (often $30 to $50 per day). If your policy does not cover it, you may be able to claim the rental cost against the other driver's liability insurance if they were at fault.
Keep a record of all communication with your insurance company and the other driver's insurer. Write down the date, time, and name of each person you speak with, and follow up phone calls with an email summarizing what was discussed. This creates a paper trail that protects you if there is a dispute later.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a car accident claim usually take?
Most straightforward claims are resolved in two to six weeks. If fault is clear, both drivers agree on what happened, and the damage estimate is straightforward, your claim may be approved and paid within two to three weeks. If fault is disputed, the other driver's insurer denies the claim, or the damage is extensive, the process can take two to three months or longer.
Will my insurance rates go up if I file a claim?
If you were at fault, most insurers will raise your rates at your next renewal, typically by 10 to 40 percent depending on your state and insurer. If the other driver was at fault and you filed a claim against their insurance, your rates should not increase. If you file under your own collision or uninsured motorist coverage, the rate increase depends on your insurer's policy and whether you were found to be at fault.
What if the repair shop's estimate is higher than the insurance adjuster's estimate?
If the repair shop finds additional damage once they begin work, they will contact your insurer for approval before proceeding. If the adjuster's initial estimate was too low, the insurer will typically approve the additional repairs. If you disagree with the adjuster's estimate, you can hire an independent appraiser to provide a second opinion, though you will pay for this service upfront.
Can I choose which repair shop fixes my car?
Yes. Your insurance company may have a network of preferred shops, but you have the right to use any licensed repair shop you choose. If you use a non-preferred shop, the insurer will still pay for repairs, though they may pay based on their own estimate rather than the shop's quote. Get the repair shop's estimate in writing and provide it to your adjuster.
What should I do if the other driver's insurance denies my claim?
Ask the insurer in writing why they denied the claim and request a detailed explanation. If you disagree with their decision, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner, which will trigger an investigation. You can also pursue the claim in small claims court if the damages are below your state's limit, or hire a lawyer to file a civil lawsuit if the damages are higher.