Why is my insurance company asking for pictures of my car?

Asked by: Elian Reichert  |  Last update: April 6, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (41 votes)

Taking photographs of a vehicle can help insurers evaluate the condition of the insured vehicle, avoid fraudulent claims, assess the vehicle's value and estimate claim payouts.

Why is Progressive asking for pictures of my car?

If you need to file an auto insurance claim after an accident, your insurer may send an adjuster to inspect your vehicle to get an accurate repair estimate. The adjuster may take photos of the entire vehicle to document the damage and make sure it matches the information in the accident report.

Do insurance ask for pictures?

The pre-insurance inspection (or photo audit) is usually required when you first secure your policy. This involves taking photos of your vehicle to document its condition and any pre-existing damage. The post-accident inspection, on the other hand, is used to document damage after a car accident occurs.

Should I submit photos to an insurance claim?

Post-Loss Documentation

These images will be invaluable when filing your insurance claim, providing a clear, visual representation of the destruction. Be sure to: Take wide shots of each affected area. Capture close-ups of damaged items and structures.

Why do insurance companies take pictures?

Having the insurance company come take pictures or inspect your house is a good thing. They are looking for hazards that could cause a claim or even a lawsuit. The purpose is to protect you better and save you hassle & money in the long run.

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29 related questions found

Is it okay to have a picture of your car insurance?

Yes, you can provide a picture of your vehicle's insurance information. California Vehicle Code 16028 states, “The evidence of financial responsibility may be provided using a mobile electronic device.”

What kind of pictures do insurance companies need?

In the case of damage caused by storms or falling trees, many of the photos your insurance company takes will be of the exterior of your home. However, the adjuster will likely wish to take pictures inside the house as well. They will likely be searching for structural damage, leaks, or similar unsafe conditions.

What should you not say when making an insurance claim?

Eight things NOT to say to an insurance adjuster are:
  1. admitting fault,
  2. anything about your injuries,
  3. anything on the record,
  4. speculating about the crash,
  5. that you do not have a lawyer,
  6. providing unnecessary information,
  7. accepting a settlement, and.
  8. sharing medical records.

Can you file a claim without pictures?

Hence, if you are pursuing a California car accident claim for compensation, you must have evidence showing that the other party's actions directly caused the crash. One crucial piece of evidence that insurance providers evaluate when determining liability in an auto crash is the photos of the accident.

Should you take pictures after a car accident?

Another essential step should occur at the accident scene: taking photographs. Evidence showing damages, injuries, and possible causes of the wreck are all available at the crash scene. Drivers or passengers who are physically able to take pictures should thoroughly photograph the accident scene.

What is photo inspection for car insurance?

Pre-Insurance Photo Inspection

The photo inspection creates a record of the physical condition of the vehicle. In addition to taking photos of your vehicle, the inspector likely will record your vehicle identification number (VIN), odometer reading, the vehicle's condition, options, and accessories.

Does Geico ask for pictures of cars?

Full vehicle access. Give yourself room to move around your whole vehicle so you can take pictures from all sides. Proof of ownership. We need a photo of the vehicle title or registration to verify ownership and issue payment.

Do insurance companies look at your car?

What is underwriting? It's how insurance companies look at your house, car, and personal history to determine if they will offer you a policy. Then, they use the information gathered during underwriting to help price your policy. Each company has different underwriting rules that determine who they'll sell a policy to.

What happens if I opt out of Progressive snapshot?

In some states and situations, if you opt out more than 45 days after enrollment, you may receive a surcharge to your policy at the next renewal, and if you've already shared your driving data with us it may impact your renewal rate.

What is Progressive being sued for?

The 69-page complaint filed on April 26 alleges that multiple car insurance companies — including the Progressive Corporation (“Progressive Insurance”), USAA and its affiliates — owed “duties of good faith and fair dealing to hundreds of thousands of California residents and businesses each year,” the complaint said.

How much does photo inspection cost?

There is no charge to you for the photo inspection, which takes approximately 15 minutes to complete, including the report and photographs.

Should I submit photos to insurance claim?

However, pulling out your camera should be the first thing you do following one of these issues. Photos of the damage immediately following an accident or disaster, and then documenting the repairs as they happen, are a key part of a smooth, efficient insurance claims process.

When should you not file a claim?

If the claim amount equals or is less than the deductible, there's not much sense in filing a claim. “Most car insurance policies have a deductible in place which you have to pay before their coverage kicks in,” says Ross. “If your damages are minor, you're much better off just paying out of pocket.”

What are red flags in insurance claims?

No witnesses to the alleged injury-producing incident. Insufficient detail was provided surrounding the injury-producing incident. Alleged injury seems inconceivable considering the work which the claimant performs. Injury is not visible (e.g., soft tissue injury)

What are the 3 most common mistakes on a claim that will cause denials?

Here, we discuss the first five most common medical coding and billing mistakes that cause claim denials so you can avoid them in your business:
  • Claim is not specific enough. ...
  • Claim is missing information. ...
  • Claim not filed on time (aka: Timely Filing)

What should I not tell my insurance company?

The insurance adjuster doesn't need to hear your entire life story. Sharing personal anecdotes or irrelevant experiences might even hurt your claim. Stick to the facts and avoid extra details about your family, job history, prior injuries, or unrelated accidents.

Why is insurance asking for pictures of my car?

In the case of a claim, pictures of your car can be used to verify the exact damage caused and estimate your payout amount. In the case of pre-insurance photo inspections, the pictures are used to document any pre-existing damage so that you can't file a fraudulent claim for damage that existed before you got coverage.

How do I take pictures of my car for insurance?

Capture images from every angle to provide a comprehensive view of the damage. This includes capturing the damage to all vehicles involved, the road conditions, and relevant details such as skid marks, traffic signals, and road signs.

Do insurance companies take pictures inside your house?

Yes, insurance companies regularly take pictures or even videos of your home and the surrounding property when inspecting a house. This helps them determine what issues (if any) may impact your coverage and lets them compare before and after photos if you have to file a claim in the future.