Guides
The Accident Claim Process, Step by Step
Knowing the accident claim process before you actually need it makes the experience meaningfully less stressful and helps you avoid costly mistakes.
The accident claim process starts at the scene
- Check for injuries and call emergency services if needed.
- Move to safety if the vehicles are drivable and it is safe to do so.
- Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver.
- Document the scene with photos, vehicle damage, license plates, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Get a police report if required by your state or if there is significant damage or injury.
Filing the claim
Contact your insurer as soon as possible, most have a claims hotline or app. You will typically need the other driver’s information, the police report number if applicable, photos, and a description of what happened. Be factual and consistent, avoid speculating about fault in your initial statement.
The adjuster’s role in the accident claim process
An insurance adjuster is assigned to investigate the claim, review damage, determine fault where applicable, and estimate repair costs or your vehicle’s actual cash value if it is a total loss. They may inspect the vehicle in person or through photos, and may contact the other driver or witnesses.
In a no-fault state, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage typically pays your medical bills regardless of fault, while property damage liability is still typically resolved based on fault. See our state requirements guide for whether your state is no-fault.
Repairs and payout
- For repairable damage, your insurer typically approves a repair shop estimate, sometimes directing you to a preferred shop, though you generally have the right to choose your own in most states.
- For a total loss, the insurer pays out the vehicle’s actual cash value, its depreciated market value, minus your deductible if applicable.
- If you disagree with an estimate or valuation, you can typically dispute it and provide supporting documentation, such as independent comparable sale listings.
After the accident claim process closes
Expect your premium to potentially increase at your next renewal if you were at fault, the size of the increase depends on your insurer, state, and claims history. Ask directly how a specific claim affected your renewal rate so you understand the real impact. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners outlines your rights during a claim dispute.
Filing with the other driver’s insurer: how a third-party claim works
When another driver is at fault, you generally have a choice: file through your own insurer using your collision coverage, or file a third-party claim directly with the at-fault driver’s insurer under their liability coverage. Filing through your own insurer is often faster, and your insurer typically pursues subrogation to recover what it paid, including your deductible in many cases. Filing directly with the other insurer skips your own deductible but comes with a real downside, their adjuster works for the at-fault driver’s company, not for you, and third-party claims can move more slowly since a liability investigation usually has to complete first.
What to do if you disagree with the settlement offer
A settlement offer that seems too low is not necessarily final. Most policies include an appraisal clause, a formal process where each side hires an independent appraiser and a neutral umpire resolves any disagreement, typically faster and less expensive than litigation. Before escalating, get a second repair estimate or a second total-loss valuation using comparable vehicle listings. Every state has an insurance department that handles consumer complaints against insurers for free, and for larger disputes, consulting an attorney before signing any settlement release is worth the cost, since a signed release typically closes out your ability to seek more later.
What happens if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured
If the at-fault driver has no insurance at all, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own policy lets you file a claim with your own insurer, which effectively stands in for the missing coverage. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage addresses a related situation: the at-fault driver has insurance, but their limits are too low to fully cover your damages, and UIM pays the difference up to your own policy limit. A hit-and-run where the at-fault driver is never identified is typically also handled as an uninsured motorist claim, since there is no identifiable insurer to pursue, which is exactly why carrying UM/UIM coverage matters even in areas where most drivers are insured.
How long does the accident claim process typically take?
Simple claims with clear fault and minor damage can resolve in days to a couple of weeks; complex claims involving injuries, disputed fault, or a total loss can take considerably longer.
Do I have to use my insurer’s recommended repair shop?
In most states, no, you generally have the right to choose your own repair shop, though your insurer’s preferred shop may offer a direct billing arrangement that simplifies the process.
Will filing a claim always raise my rate?
Not always, a not-at-fault claim often has little or no effect in many states and with many insurers, while an at-fault claim is more likely to raise your rate at renewal.
Is there a deadline for filing an accident claim?
Yes, though the exact deadline, a statute of limitations, varies by state and by claim type. Beyond any legal deadline, most insurers also expect prompt notification, often within days, so report an accident as soon as possible.
Will my insurer pay for a rental car while my vehicle is being repaired after a claim?
Only if you specifically added rental reimbursement coverage to your own policy, or if you’re filing against an at-fault driver’s insurer, in which case their liability coverage typically pays for a comparable rental during a reasonable repair period.