What happens after you file a car accident claim
When you file a car accident claim with your insurance company, they assign an adjuster to your case. That adjuster will contact you within one to three business days, ask you to describe what happened, and request documents like the police report, photos of damage, and contact information for the other driver. They may also inspect your vehicle in person or send you to a repair shop of their choosing.
The adjuster's job is to determine whether the accident falls under your policy coverage and, if so, how much the company owes. This process typically takes two to four weeks, though complex cases or disputes over fault can take longer. During this time, you can still drive your car unless it is unsafe, and you are not required to accept the first damage estimate the adjuster offers.
Your insurance company will either approve the claim and issue payment, deny it based on policy language or coverage limits, or offer a settlement amount you can negotiate. If you disagree with their decision, you have the right to appeal or file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner.
Key Takeaways
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after an accident, ideally within 24 hours, and report the incident even if you are unsure whether you will file a claim.
- Gather the police report number, photos of all vehicle damage, the other driver's insurance information, and contact details for any witnesses before you call your insurer.
- An adjuster will contact you to document the accident and may inspect your vehicle or send you to a specific repair shop to estimate costs.
- The claim process usually takes two to four weeks, and you can dispute the adjuster's damage estimate or settlement offer if you believe it is too low.
- If your insurance company denies your claim, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner or consult a lawyer about your options.
Steps to take when ready after the accident
Before you contact your insurance company, collect information at the scene. Take photos of the damage to all vehicles involved, the accident location, road conditions, and traffic signs or signals. Get the other driver's name, phone number, address, driver's license number, license plate, vehicle make and model, and their insurance company name and policy number. If there are witnesses, ask for their names and phone numbers.
Call the police non-emergency line if there is any injury, significant property damage, or dispute over what happened. The police report creates an official record and gives you a report number to share with your insurer. Even if police do not respond, file a report online or in person at your local police station within a few days.
Do not admit fault or apologize for the accident to the other driver, their insurer, or anyone else. Statements like "I'm sorry" or "It was my fault" can be used against you later. Stick to factual descriptions of what you saw and heard.
What documents your insurance company will ask for
Your insurer will request the police report number so they can obtain the full report themselves. Have this number ready when you call. They will also ask for photos of the damage, which you should have taken at the scene. If you did not take photos, take them now before any repairs begin — the adjuster needs to see the damage in its original state.
You will need to provide the other driver's insurance information and contact details for any witnesses. If the other driver left the scene or you did not get their information, tell your insurer when ready; this affects how your claim is handled. You should also have your own policy number and driver's license available when you call.
Keep receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident, such as rental car costs, medical treatment, or temporary repairs. Your insurer may reimburse these if they are covered under your policy.
How the adjuster determines what your claim is worth
The adjuster inspects your vehicle or reviews photos and estimates repair costs using industry pricing guides and local repair shop rates. They compare the cost to repair your car against its current market value. If repairs cost more than the car is worth, the insurer may declare it a total loss and pay you the vehicle's actual cash value instead.
The adjuster also reviews the police report and witness statements to determine fault. In states that follow comparative fault rules, your own percentage of fault can reduce what you receive. For example, if you are found 20 percent at fault, your payout is reduced by 20 percent. In no-fault states, your own insurance pays for your damages regardless of who caused the accident, up to your policy limits.
The adjuster's estimate is not final. If you believe the damage estimate is too low or does not account for all repairs needed, you can request a second opinion from an independent mechanic or get your own repair estimate and submit it to your insurer.
Disputing the adjuster's estimate or settlement offer
If the adjuster's damage estimate seems low, obtain a written estimate from a repair shop of your choice and send it to your insurer. Many insurers will review competing estimates and may increase their offer. You are not required to use the repair shop your insurance company suggests, though some policies offer incentives for doing so.
If you disagree with the settlement amount for a total loss, research your vehicle's value using resources like Kelley Blue Book or NADA Guides and provide that information to your adjuster. Include details about your car's condition, mileage, maintenance history, and any recent repairs or upgrades. If the adjuster still will not budge, ask to speak with a supervisor or request that the dispute go to appraisal.
Appraisal is a process where you and your insurer each choose an appraiser, those two appraisers choose a third, and the appraisers determine the vehicle's value or repair cost. The result is binding on both you and the insurance company. Your policy should explain whether appraisal is available and what it costs.
When to contact a lawyer about your claim
You may want to consult a lawyer if your insurer denies your claim and you believe the denial is wrong, if the settlement offer is significantly lower than independent estimates, or if the accident caused serious injury. A lawyer can review your policy, the adjuster's reasoning, and the evidence to determine whether you have a case.
Many car accident lawyers work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of what you recover rather than charging an upfront fee. This makes it easier to afford legal help if you cannot pay hourly rates. Before hiring a lawyer, ask about their experience with insurance disputes in your state and what percentage they charge.
If you decide not to hire a lawyer, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner if you believe your insurer acted unfairly. The commissioner's office investigates complaints at no cost to you, though the process is slower than going to court.
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, typically within 24 to 72 hours. Waiting longer can give your insurer reason to deny the claim, especially if they argue that the delay prevented them from investigating properly. Call even if you are unsure whether you will file a claim.
Will filing a claim raise my insurance rates?
That depends on your policy and whether you are found at fault. If the other driver is at fault and their insurer pays, your rates usually do not increase. If you are at fault, most insurers raise your rates at your next renewal, though the amount varies by company and state. Ask your agent what to expect before you file.
What if the other driver's insurance company contacts me?
You are not required to speak with the other driver's insurer. You can tell them to contact your insurance company instead. If you do speak with them, stick to facts and do not admit fault. Anything you say can be used against you in a dispute.
Can I choose my own repair shop?
Yes. Your policy does not require you to use the shop your insurer recommends. However, some insurers offer discounts or faster processing if you use one of their preferred shops. Get the details in writing before you decide.
What does "actual cash value" mean?
Actual cash value is what your car was worth when ready before the accident, accounting for age, mileage, and condition — not what you paid for it or what it would cost to replace with a new one. This is what insurers typically pay for a total loss.