How to file an auto insurance claim

Car accidents can be chaotic. And in the middle of it all, you’re expected to gather information, stay calm, and somehow remember how insurance works. In most cases, you’ll want to file a car insurance claim once everyone is safe, especially if there are injuries, deployed airbags, or another driver involved.

Here’s exactly how to file an auto insurance claim, in ordered steps, so you can handle the situation confidently.

Step #1: Make sure everyone is safe

Before you think about paperwork or your auto insurance, make sure everyone involved in the accident is safe and injury-free. If anyone is hurt — even slightly — call 911 immediately.

• If you can move your vehicle and there are no injuries, turn on your hazard lights and drive to the side of the road out of the way of traffic.
• If you can’t move your vehicle or there are injuries, turn on your hazard lights and set out traffic cones, triangles, or flares if you have them. Stay put until emergency services come.

Once everyone is safe, and emergency services have been contacted if needed, you can move on to the next step.

Step #2: Don’t admit fault

It’s natural to want to apologize after an accident. However, it’s important to avoid admitting fault at the scene, even casually. Things like road conditions, traffic signals, or the other driver’s actions could factor into what happened, so you might not have the full picture yet.

It’s generally best to let police reports, claims adjusters, and state law determine the liable party. You can check on the other driver and exchange information, but stick to the facts.

Step #3: Call the police and fill out a police report

Typically, you should call the police after a vehicle accident — especially if there are injuries, major damage, or a dispute about what happened. You’ll also need to call if the accident was a hit and run. However, not every fender bender legally requires an officer at the scene.

For example, in Kansas, you typically don’t need to file a police report if there are no injuries and total damage is under $1,000, though you’ll still need to stop and exchange information with the other driver. And in Washington, the police don’t need to investigate unless the crash involves an injury or at least $1,000 in property damage, but each driver must file a collision report online within four days.

Step #4: Exchange personal and vehicle information

Once everyone is safe and law enforcement has been contacted (if needed), exchange information with the other driver. Be sure to collect their:

• Full name and contact information
• Driver’s license number and the issuing state
• License plate number
• Vehicle make, model, color, and vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Insurance company name and policy number
• Location of the crash

You’ll also want to get the names, addresses, and phone numbers for any passengers in the vehicle, as well as any bystanders who witnessed the accident. In the case of bystanders, having a neutral third-party account can be extremely helpful if there’s a disagreement later.

Step #5: Assess the scene and document any damage

Once you’ve exchanged information, document as much as you can. You might not think you’ll need every image, but insurance investigations often rely on small details. It’s better to have too much documentation than not enough.

Use your phone to take clear photos (including close-ups and wide-angle shots) of:

• Damage to all vehicles involved
• License plates
• The surrounding area (traffic signs, signals, skid marks)
• Any visible injuries

If it’s safe, a short video walking around the scene and vehicle can also help capture more context.

Even if the accident seems minor, take the photos and videos anyway if possible. You can always decide later whether to file a claim, but you can’t go back and recreate the scene.

Step #6: Review your insurance coverage and deductible

Before you file a car insurance claim, take a few minutes to review your policy information. This will help you confirm if filing a claim (and potentially increasing future premiums) makes sense based on your deductible and coverage options.

You’ll want to check:

• Whether you have collision and comprehensive coverage
• Your deductible amount
• Whether you carry rental car reimbursement
• Whether you have accident forgiveness

For example, if your deductible is $1,000 and the damage looks minor, you might decide to get an estimate first before filing a claim. But if repairs will clearly exceed your deductible, you could decide to move forward with filing a car insurance claim right away.

Step #7: Contact your insurance company ASAP

Once you’ve reviewed your coverage, the next step is to notify your car insurance company as soon as possible.

There usually isn’t a strict deadline — you don’t have to file an insurance claim within 24 hours, for example — but waiting too long can complicate things. It’s generally best to report the accident while everything is still fresh, so you don’t forget any details.

See: Car insurance discounts

Step #8: File a claim

Once you’ve completed the first seven steps, now is the time to officially file your car insurance claim. For many people, this part ends up being less overwhelming than you’d think, especially if you took good photos and videos and have your information ready.

Many insurers let you start the claims process through their mobile app (easiest), through their website (also easy), or by phone (a little bit harder). If another driver was found to be at fault, you can file a third-party claim with their insurer instead of — or in addition to — a first-party claim with your insurer.

For the actual claim, you’ll need to provide:

• The date, time, and location of the accident
• A description of what happened
• Photos or video of the damage
• The other driver’s insurance information (if applicable)
• The police report number (if one was filed)

After you submit your claim, the insurance company will assign a claims adjuster to your case. This person reviews the details and confirms coverage. If needed, they might request additional information from you or stop by to inspect the damage in person.

If the accident involved another driver, the adjuster will also investigate who’s at fault. This process can take time, especially if there are conflicting accounts.

Step #9: Get quotes for any repair costs (if applicable)

Once coverage is confirmed and if your claim is approved, you’ll move into the repair phase. You typically have two options: use a repair shop in your insurer’s preferred network or choose your own.

Using a preferred shop is often faster. The insurer might pay the shop directly, and the process can feel more streamlined. But you’re not required to use a preferred shop. If you trust a specific mechanic or body shop, you can usually get your own estimate and submit it to your adjuster.

Your adjuster will review the estimate and approve repairs based on your coverage. If the shop finds additional damage after they start working, they can submit a supplemental request to the insurer. If everything is approved, repairs begin.

Step #10: Get paid

Typically, insurance companies have about 30 days to investigate a claim, depending on the state. In general, easier claims will process faster than more complex cases.

How you get paid depends on what kind of claim you’re filing. Here’s what to expect for different types of claims:

• If your car is not being repaired, your car insurance company might issue the claims payout directly to you, minus your deductible.
• If your car is being repaired, your insurer might pay the repair shop directly. This is generally the case if you used a preferred shop, for example. You’ll typically pay your deductible to the shop when repairs are finished. Once the estimate is approved, payment for repairs could be issued in as little as 48 hours with some insurers.
• If your vehicle is totaled, the insurer will calculate your car’s actual cash value (ACV), which is what your vehicle was worth right before the accident. If you have an auto loan for the car, the payment might go to your lender first. If you owe more than the car is worth and don’t have gap insurance, you could be responsible for the difference.