Car Insurance Claims FAQs

If you've ever had to file an auto insurance claim, you know there's a whole process to follow. Being prepared ahead of time can help you streamline this process and potentially get reimbursed faster. It also never hurts to understand which types of claims are covered under the different sections of your car insurance policy.

A local independent insurance agent can help you get set up with an auto insurance policy if you're still in need. They can also help break down all of your coverages and when you'd file a claim under each one. Until then, you can use our guide to some of the most frequently asked questions about car insurance claims.

Table of Contents

Q. When Should I File an Auto Insurance Claim?

Q. How Do I File an Auto Insurance Claim?

Q. How Does My Deductible Work?

Q. What If My Car Was Stolen?

Q. What If I Was in an Accident?

Q. What If the Accident Was a Hit-and-Run?

Q. What If the Other Driver Is Uninsured?

Q. Do I Get a Rental Car While Mine Is Being Repaired?

Q. What If Someone Else Is Driving My Car and Gets in an Accident?

Q. When Is a Car Considered "Totaled"?

Q. Will My Car Insurance Rates Go Up If I File a Claim?

Q. How Can an Independent Insurance Agent Help with Car Insurance?

When Should I File an Auto Insurance Claim?

Ideally, you should file a car insurance claim ASAP. Once you've moved your vehicle to safety and sought medical attention for any injured parties, it's typically recommended to file a claim right from the scene of the accident. 

If it's an incident other than a traffic accident, you should be able to file your claim right away. You'll also want to notify your independent insurance agent immediately about the incident and file a police report if you've been in a crash.

How Do I File an Auto Insurance Claim?

How you can file a car insurance claim depends on your specific auto insurance company. Some carriers allow 24/7 claims reporting by phone or online, while others have specific contact hours. Regardless of your insurer's customer service availability, you can always contact your independent insurance agent and have them initiate the process for you.

Your independent insurance agent can contact your car insurance company for you to file the claim once you've provided them with all the necessary information. Your agent can also keep you updated through every step of the claims process, including providing an ETA of when you can expect reimbursement if your claim is approved. When you contact your agent or insurance company, make sure you have the following information ready:

Having all of this information ready to go when you contact your independent insurance agent, the police, and your insurance company can help you get back on track and return to normalcy faster.

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How Does My Deductible Work?

Your deductible is the amount that you are responsible for when you file a claim. Car insurance deductibles typically range from $500 to $1,000, though they can be higher or lower. Many different sections of your auto insurance policy have their own deductibles, such as collision insurance, uninsured motorist insurance, and personal injury protection (PIP).

Let's use a multi-vehicle collision for which you were at fault as an example. Perhaps your vehicle is badly damaged after the accident. To get reimbursed for physical damage to your vehicle due to a collision, you'd file a claim, and your auto policy's collision coverage could pay the damages if approved. If your collision insurance deductible is $500 and your damages come to $15,000, your insurance company could reimburse you for up to $14,500 if the full claim is approved.

What If My Car Was Stolen?

If your vehicle is stolen, first, be sure to file a police report. You'll also want to contact your independent insurance agent and insurance carrier right away. If your auto insurance policy had comprehensive insurance, you may be eligible to receive compensation for the actual cash value of your car. You'd just be responsible for paying your deductible amount first.

If your auto policy doesn't have comprehensive coverage, you may be out of luck in terms of reimbursement for a theft. That's why it's helpful to consider getting full coverage when you first purchase your car insurance. Having as much coverage as you can afford can help ensure you can receive reimbursement for many different kinds of disasters, including auto theft.

What If I Was in an Accident?

If you've been in an accident, the first priority is always to get everyone to safety. If possible, remove all vehicles from the flow of traffic and park them on the side of the road. Call 911 for medical help if anyone is injured, and report the incident to the local police. 

If you're unable to move the vehicles involved out of the way, stand clear of traffic and wait for help to arrive. Document as much of the accident as you can, including by taking photos and videos. Exchange information with any other drivers involved, including names, addresses, and insurance information. Be sure not to admit fault or apologize for what happened. Determining who was at fault is up to the authorities at the scene.

What If the Accident Was a Hit-and-Run?

If the other driver flees the scene without giving you their information, wait for the police to arrive and explain what happened. Then call your insurance company, and they’ll take you through the next steps. You may have coverage for a hit-and-run accident if your auto policy includes uninsured motorist coverage. You'll just have to pay your deductible first. 

What If the Other Driver Is Uninsured?

If your policy includes uninsured motorist coverage, which is required in some states but optional in others, it can also provide reimbursement if you're ever in an accident with an at-fault driver who doesn't carry any or enough car insurance of their own to properly reimburse you. 

Likewise, if your policy includes collision coverage, you may still be covered for damage to your vehicle. If you don't have uninsured motorist insurance or collision insurance, you may have to take the at-fault driver to court to collect compensation. 

Do I Get a Rental Car While Mine Is Being Repaired?

This depends on your car insurance policy and whether you have rental reimbursement coverage. Policies that include rental reimbursement coverage can cover rental vehicle fees while your car is being repaired. If your policy doesn’t have this coverage, you will have to pay the cost out of pocket.

If you rent your vehicle through an approved provider, they can bill your insurance company directly, so you have no upfront costs. But if you choose to go through an unapproved rental company, you’ll need to pay the costs upfront and then submit a claim to be reimbursed. 

What If Someone Else Is Driving My Car and Gets in an Accident?

With car insurance, the coverage is typically attached to the vehicle, not the driver, so your auto insurance would likely cover the accident. If there are liability expenses that exceed your policy's limits, however, your friend’s insurance policy can help cover the difference. 

When Is a Car Considered "Totaled"?

The definition of what is considered “totaled” varies from state to state. But, in most states, if the damage exceeds 75% of the vehicle’s value, it’s typically considered a total loss. This can occur after a major accident or another serious incident.

If your car is totaled, you can only be reimbursed for its actual cash value at the time of the accident. Keep in mind that new cars depreciate at a faster rate than older cars. If your car is only a couple of years old and you still have several years of payments left on your auto loan, it's likely that your vehicle’s actual cash value will be lower than what you still owe on it. 

Unless you have gap insurance under your auto policy, you may still be making payments on a car you no longer own. Gap insurance can reimburse you for the "gap" in the amount still owed on a vehicle loan or lease and its actual cash value if your car is totaled.

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Will My Car Insurance Rates Go Up If I File a Claim?

This depends on your insurance company. Some companies offer accident forgiveness for your first accident. In most cases, however, an accident will increase your risk profile and can result in higher auto insurance rates. Unfortunately, many drivers with just a single at-fault accident on their records pay an average of 44% more for auto insurance than those with clean records.

How Can an Independent Insurance Agent Help with Car Insurance?

Independent insurance agents are your greatest allies when it comes to all things car insurance. First, they can shop and compare coverage from multiple local carriers for you and present you with several quotes to find the absolute best deal. 

But your agent will also be there throughout the life of your policy, so they can assist you with filing claims and handling other matters, such as updating your coverage when necessary. And if you ever have questions about your policy or the claims process, your agent is only a phone call away.