How to File an Auto Insurance Claim
What you do in the first 24 hours after a crash has a bigger effect on your settlement than which insurer you picked. Here is the order of operations.
Step-by-step
- 1. Make sure everyone is safe
Move vehicles out of traffic if drivable. Call 911 for injuries or major damage. Turn on hazards.
- 2. Document everything before vehicles move
Photograph all four corners of every vehicle, license plates, the road, debris, skid marks, and traffic signs. Get a wide shot showing positions.
- 3. Exchange information without admitting fault
Get the other driver's name, phone, license, plate, insurer, and policy number. Do not say 'I'm sorry' — that can be used against you.
- 4. Get a police report number
Even for minor accidents, ask the responding officer for the report number. If police don't respond, file a self-report at the nearest station.
- 5. Notify your insurer the same day
Call the claims line on the back of your insurance card. You are required to report — failing to do so can void coverage even if the other driver is at fault.
- 6. Get an independent repair estimate
The insurer's estimate is a starting point, not a final number. Take the car to a body shop you trust for a written estimate.
- 7. Don't sign a release until you understand it
Once you sign, you usually waive future claims for that incident — including injuries that show up later.
Common pitfalls
- Posting on social media — adjusters check.
- Taking the first medical bill settlement before knowing the full extent of injuries.
- Letting the at-fault driver's insurer record you without your insurer present.
- Forgetting to ask for a copy of your recorded statement.
FAQ
If you're not at fault and damages are clearly the other driver's responsibility, usually no. At-fault claims with bodily injury typically increase premiums for 3–5 years.
Most policies require 'prompt' reporting — practically, within a few days. State statutes of limitations for lawsuits range from 1–6 years.
If you carry uninsured motorist coverage, your insurer pays as if it were the at-fault carrier. Without it, your only recourse is a lawsuit — which usually recovers nothing.