Whether or not you simply acquired right into a automobile accident and must file a automobile insurance coverage declare otherwise you merely need to perceive the auto insurance coverage declare course of, we’ve acquired you coated. Let’s stroll by the essential steps of the automobile insurance coverage claims course of, the timeline from declare to fee, and every little thing in between. That means, if that you must make a automobile insurance coverage declare, you’ll know simply what to do.
Key Takeaways
- After an accident, guarantee everybody’s protected, collect data (together with time of accident, events concerned, and photos of injury and the scene), and name the police earlier than submitting your declare.
- You need to file an insurance coverage declare no matter who’s at fault.
- After your declare is filed, it is going to be reviewed so fault could be decided. Automobile damages and restore prices shall be assessed, and your insurance coverage firm will subject fee.
What Are Automobile Insurance coverage Claims?
An insurance coverage declare for a automobile accident is while you ask an insurance coverage firm to cowl the prices of any damages or medical bills after a automobile accident. The method for submitting a declare might differ, based mostly on the place you reside and the kind of insurance coverage you have got, however all the required steps ought to be comparable for essentially the most half.
Who Ought to File the Declare?
Automobile insurance coverage claims are usually filed by the driving force who’s at fault—nevertheless it’s a good suggestion to file a declare along with your insurance coverage firm no matter who brought about the accident. Primarily based on the proof supplied, your insurance coverage firm will decide who’s at fault. Submitting a declare even while you’re not at fault may also function a superb precautionary measure, in case the opposite driver is uninsured or if their insurance coverage is invalid.
In case your accident happens in a state that requires no-fault insurance coverage, it’s your duty to file a declare with your personal insurance coverage firm to cowl private medical bills. Each drivers concerned within the accident should make particular person claims no matter who’s at fault. The motive force who’s at fault can nonetheless use their insurance coverage to cowl damages to the automobile they hit.
Steps to Make a Declare for a Automobile Accident
Should you’ve been in a automobile accident, listed below are the steps to comply with instantly to get from accident to a filed insurance coverage declare.
1. Guarantee Security
Take a second to make it possible for everyone seems to be okay. You or your passengers is perhaps in a state of shock and will not know how one can act at first. Be certain that nobody is significantly injured earlier than you begin making ready for the claims course of.
2. Collect Info
It’s necessary to jot down down as many particulars in regards to the accident as you’ll be able to, from the time it occurred to your recollection of the order of occasions. Change your identify and insurance coverage data with the opposite driver and decide when and the place the accident occurred. Make an preliminary evaluation of how extreme the accident is, so you’ll be able to describe it to your insurance coverage firm. Should you can, take just a few photos of the accident and the scene so as to add to and make clear your case.
3. Name the Police
Notify the police in the event that they haven’t already been known as as a way to file a police report. Your insurance coverage will possible want a police report when evaluating your declare.
4. File a Declare
As soon as everyone seems to be protected, data has been gathered and exchanged, and also you’ve known as the police, you’re able to file your automobile accident insurance coverage declare.
Submitting Made Straightforward: Step-by-Step
To file your declare easily, have these particulars prepared:
- Your coverage quantity (out of your card or on-line account)
- The date, time, and placement of the accident
- Names, insurance coverage data, and get in touch with for others concerned
- Pictures of car harm and the accident scene
- A replica of the police report (if out there)
You possibly can file your declare:
What Occurs After You File a Automobile Insurance coverage Declare?
After you file your automobile insurance coverage declare, a claims handler will start reviewing your case. This a part of the automobile insurance coverage claims course of features a detailed investigation, fault dedication, and harm evaluation, all of which assist decide your payout. Be taught extra about every factor of your auto insurance coverage declare course of:
Investigation and Fault Dedication
After you submit your declare, the investigation and fault dedication will embrace the next:
- A claims handler will contact you inside just a few days to gather any extra data wanted and supply a declare quantity.
- They’ll evaluate your report, pictures of the accident and scene, and the police report (if out there).
- They could communicate with different drivers, witnesses, or restore professionals.
- Your automobile could also be inspected immediately or by a third-party supplier.
- The handler will decide who’s at fault based mostly on the proof supplied.
Injury Evaluation and Protection Evaluate
As soon as the investigation is full, your insurance coverage firm will:
- Evaluate your coverage protection to calculate what’s coated.
- Present or approve a restore estimate on your automobile.
Declare Settlement and Cost
As soon as the investigation, fault dedication, harm evaluation, and protection evaluate are full, your insurance coverage firm will transfer ahead with settling your declare. Right here’s what you’ll be able to anticipate:
- Cost shall be issued to cowl damages, minus any deductible.
- If one other driver is concerned, each insurance coverage firms will coordinate to find out monetary duty.
- As soon as fee is issued and all issues are resolved, your declare shall be closed.
Declare Processing Timing & Steps: From Submitting to Cost
The declare course of can usually take just a few weeks, although it could take longer relying on the time wanted to collect particulars, decide fault, and calculate the payout quantity. Right here’s a fast overview of the declare course of and timing:
| Step | What Occurs? | Estimated Time |
| 1. File Your Declare | Begin your declare on-line, by the app, or by calling our 24/7 claims line. | Instantly – inside the identical day |
| 2. Work with an Adjuster | An adjuster contacts you to evaluate the incident, examine harm, and collect vital particulars. | Inside just a few days after submitting |
| 3. Adjuster Critiques Protection to Decide Payout | The adjuster evaluates your coverage, determines fault, and calculates the payout quantity. | A number of days to a few weeks |
| 4. Obtain Your Cost | After the declare is finalized, your fee is processed—minus any deductible. | Inside just a few days after settlement |
A Good Coverage Makes the Automobile Insurance coverage Declare Course of Clean
Having a superb insurance coverage coverage will make it simpler to undergo the automobile insurance coverage declare course of. At The Common, we consider that everybody deserves high quality protection and top-notch customer support. Get a quote in underneath two minutes, and study extra about automobile insurance coverage from our weblog.
Why You Can Belief The Common’s Declare Course of
The Common has a historical past and observe file you’ll be able to belief:
- A rated by AM Finest for monetary stability
- In enterprise for over 60 years
- 4.7 out of 5 star score from over 120,000 actual buyer opinions on TrustPilot
Listed below are just a few buyer opinions about The Common’s Claims Course of:
- “All the time useful, had a declare with zero issues”
- “The Common has stood by me in a earlier accident the place the opposite occasion had no insurance coverage; and with the Common’s consultant, I used to be capable of get by the declare course of realizing that I used to be not alone.”
- “Been with the Common for YEARS. All the time have superior customer support, greatest costs they usually have made every little thing so easy to make use of, from submitting a declare to answering any questions I’ve had concerning my coverage. “
Incessantly Requested Questions About Automobile Insurance coverage Claims
How lengthy does a automobile insurance coverage declare take?
The time it takes to resolve a automobile insurance coverage declare relies on the complexity of the accident. The method can take wherever from just a few weeks to a couple months. Easy claims could also be resolved rapidly, whereas extra concerned claims—similar to these with accidents or complete loss—take longer to settle.
How lengthy do I’ve to file a declare?
Claims ought to be filed as quickly because it’s protected to take action. Reporting promptly helps guarantee particulars are correct and avoids delays. Particular deadlines might differ based mostly in your coverage and state necessities.
Do I must file a police report for my declare?
Should you’re concerned in an accident, you must contact the police and acquire a report, particularly when one other driver is concerned. A police report helps confirm what occurred and might help the declare course of.
Will submitting a automobile insurance coverage declare elevate my charges?
Submitting an auto insurance coverage declare might have an effect on your premium, notably when you’re discovered at fault. Whereas fee modifications aren’t assured, it’s widespread for insurance coverage charges to regulate based mostly on declare historical past. If the harm is minor and beneath your deductible, overlaying the fee out of pocket might assist keep away from a possible improve.
Is it higher to file a declare or pay out of pocket?
In case your restore prices are lower than your deductible, it could be higher to pay out of pocket. This avoids submitting a declare that gained’t end in a payout and helps maintain your claims historical past clear.
How quickly will a claims handler contact me?
A claims handler (a.ok.a. claims adjuster) usually reaches out inside just a few days of submitting. They may evaluate your data, gather extra particulars, and information you thru the following steps.
Can I observe my automobile insurance coverage declare on-line or within the app?
Sure. After submitting your declare, you’ll be able to log in to your on-line account or use The Common App to view updates, add paperwork, and observe the standing of your declare.
What occurs if my automobile is asserted a complete loss?
In case your automobile is asserted a complete loss, a claims handler will decide its worth earlier than the accident. Should you personal the automobile, fee is usually despatched on to you. If there’s a mortgage or lease, fee could also be despatched to the lienholder.
How do insurance coverage declare payouts work?
After a claims handler opinions your protection and determines fault, your payout is calculated based mostly on restore estimates. If the automobile is repairable, fee is usually made for these repairs. If the automobile is a complete loss, the settlement relies on the automobile’s worth earlier than the accident, minus your deductible.
Ought to I file a declare if I’m not at fault?
Sure, you must nonetheless file a declare. A claims handler will collect data and decide fault as a part of the investigation. Submitting helps make sure the incident is documented and provides safety if the opposite driver is uninsured or doesn’t report the accident. File a declare on-line, over the telephone (1-800-280-1466), or by way of The Common App.
Can I file a third-party declare if I’m not insured by The Common?
Sure. Should you have been concerned in an accident with somebody insured by The Common, you’ll be able to file a third-party declare on-line even when you’re not a policyholder.
Put The Common to Work for You
For over 60 years, The Common has supplied reliable automobile insurance coverage and a declare course of designed to maintain issues quick, clear, and stress-free. You possibly can file and handle your declare anytime—on-line, by The Common App, or by telephone 24/7. With a 4.7 out of 5-star score on Trustpilot from tens of hundreds of consumers, drivers belief The Common to ship fast service and dependable help when it issues most.
