How do I claim car insurance damage?

Asked by: Mr. Enoch Turcotte III  |  Last update: July 16, 2023
Score: 4.7/5 (9 votes)

5 Steps to File a Car Insurance Claim
  1. Contact Your Insurance Company. Contact your agent or insurer to report the accident as soon as possible. ...
  2. File a police report. Your insurance company will request a police report number. ...
  3. Wait for an adjuster. ...
  4. Get a report from the insurance adjuster. ...
  5. Accept payment.

How does car insurance claims work?

They will consider the damages to the vehicle, as well as the cause of the accident. Once they have collected all the information they need, they will either accept or deny your claim. If they accept the claim, they will provide you with a check based on the type of insurance you have and the value of the damages.

What are 3 important tips on filing an auto insurance claim?

Gather relevant evidence and documentation
  1. Call the police. ...
  2. Record all accident details. ...
  3. Avoid mistakes that could impair your claim. ...
  4. Open a case. ...
  5. Work with a claims adjuster. ...
  6. File the report before the deadline. ...
  7. Understand fault. ...
  8. Know how long it may take to settle a claim.

What are the documents required to claim car insurance?

Documents Required for Claim Process
  • Filled claim form along with your signature.
  • Tax receipts.
  • Copy of your insurance policy.
  • Copy of your car registration certificate (RC)
  • Driving license of the driver.
  • Copy of the FIR.
  • An estimated bill of the car's repair cost.
  • Original repair bills and payment receipts.

What do you say when filing an insurance claim?

Make sure you get the following:
  1. Name, address and phone number of the other driver(s) and a photo of their driver's license, if possible.
  2. Insurance policy numbers.
  3. Year, make, model and license plate numbers of all the vehicles involved.
  4. Photos of the accident from all sides and angles.

How to make a car insurance claim - Which? top tips

24 related questions found

What should you not say to your insurance company after an accident?

Even if you know the accident was your fault, don't say sorry or admit guilt at the scene as your insurer might have a clause about it. Exchange details with the other's involved and get in touch with your insurer to report the incident.

How long do you have to file an insurance claim?

How soon after a car accident do you have to file a claim? You must always tell your insurer about a car accident as soon as possible. Ideally, within 24 hours of the accident taking place. If you're making a claim, you will need to check your insurance policy, but most companies demand you claim within two weeks.

How long after an accident can you file a claim?

Car accident claim time limit: Car accidents and road traffic accidents in general have a three-year limit from the date of the accident. If you were left incapacitated and unable to claim for some time after your accident, you would have a three-year limit from the date of recovery.

Is it worth claiming on car insurance for a dent?

In a nutshell, small dents/scratches on your car's surface does not require a car insurance claim. In fact, it is best to refrain from raising a claim in such a scenario, as you may otherwise lose a lot of money.

How long do you have to report an accident to your insurance company?

After being involved in a car accident, you should report it to your car insurance provider as soon as you can. Many insurers specify that you need to inform them about an accident within 24 hours of the incident.

Can you claim car insurance without your knowledge?

Claims without knowing insurance details

It is difficult, although not impossible for someone to make a claim against your car insurance without your insurance details. Following any accident, the parties involved should have exchanged relevant insurance details.

What happens if you don't declare an accident?

What happens if I fail to report an accident to my insurers? Failure to report an accident can lead to your policy being declared void by your insurers which could result in you being uninsured in respect of vehicle damage in the event of a later accident.

How does car insurance work when you are not at fault?

If you are involved in an accident and found not to be at fault, the insurance of the responsible party will cover your costs. When you buy a motor insurance policy from an insurance company, you will get an insurance disc and a certificate of insurance.

How long does car insurance take to pay out?

It usually takes 30 days for insurance to pay out after a car accident. Most car insurance companies try to resolve accident claims as quickly as possible, which typically leads to a payout within a month of a claim being filed.

Do you call your insurance co or the other party?

If you absolutely have to speak to the other party's insurance, have your own insurance agent do the talking. And if the other driver won't contact their insurance or doesn't have any, call yours and explain the situation.

How do I claim if someone hits my car?

Steps to take at the scene
  1. Call the police. An officer will document the incident and create an official accident report, which you will typically need to have when filing your claim with your insurance company, says the Insurance Information Institute (III). ...
  2. Document the accident. ...
  3. Notify your insurer.

What happens when someone hits your car?

Call the police

If someone hits your vehicle, notify the police even if you think it was a minor accident. They'll write up a police report, which can then be used for your insurance claim. Police also act as an objective arbitrator if disagreements arise between you and the other driver.

What should I not tell about car insurance?

Avoid using phrases like “it was my fault,” “I'm sorry,” or “I apologize.” Don't apologize to your insurer, the other driver, or law enforcement. Even if you are simply being polite and not intentionally admitting fault, these types of words and phrases will be used against you.

Do I need to tell my insurance if someone hits me?

Yes. You need to declare all accidents that you're involved in, regardless of who or what was at fault. Almost every insurance provider will have a clause in their policy requiring you to declare any incidents you've been involved in while driving in the past 5 years.

Do I need to report a minor car accident UK?

You must report the accident to the police within 24 hours if you do not give your details at the time of the accident. You must also report the accident to your insurance company, even if you're not planning to make a claim.

Do you have to go through insurance after minor accident?

Drivers must have valid insurance which covers you in the event of damage or injury. But when it comes to a minor scratch or prang, motorists may decide it's not worth going through the insurance companies. Instead of claiming through the insurer, the parties could agree to handle the issue privately.

Do I pay excess if not at fault?

Paying the excess when it's not your fault

If the other driver has admitted fault and has already told their insurer, your excess might be waived. But usually you'll have to pay it – so make sure you can afford it. When your insurer is certain you're not at fault, you'll get it back.

Do I need to report a minor car accident to the police?

You don't need to leave your insurance details unless someone is injured, but it can speed up the claims process if you do. If you didn't exchange details at the scene, you should report the accident to the police within 24 hours.

What do you do in a minor car accident with no damage?

Essential Steps in Any Car Accident
  • Stay Calm and Clear the Road.
  • Exchange Contact and Insurance Information.
  • Take Photos of the Accident.
  • Call the Police and Report the Accident.
  • Stay At the Accident Scene Until a Police Officer Arrives and a Files a Police Report.
  • Double Check for Damage.
  • Inform Your Insurance Company.

What happens if your car door hits another car?

This situation happens more often than you might think. In most cases, the person who opened the car door that was hit by another vehicle is deemed at fault for causing the collision because it was their responsibility to check the mirrors before opening the door.