Whether or not you simply received right into a automotive accident and have to file a automotive insurance coverage declare otherwise you merely wish to perceive the auto insurance coverage declare course of, we’ve received you coated. Let’s stroll by the fundamental steps of the automotive insurance coverage claims course of, the timeline from declare to cost, and all the pieces in between. That method, if that you must make a automotive insurance coverage declare, you’ll know simply what to do.
Key Takeaways
- After an accident, guarantee everybody’s secure, collect info (together with time of accident, events concerned, and photos of injury and the scene), and name the police earlier than submitting your declare.
- You must file an insurance coverage declare no matter who’s at fault.
- After your declare is filed, it will likely be reviewed so fault could be decided. Automobile damages and restore prices might be assessed, and your insurance coverage firm will problem cost.
What Are Automobile Insurance coverage Claims?
An insurance coverage declare for a automotive accident is if you ask an insurance coverage firm to cowl the prices of any damages or medical bills after a automotive accident. The method for submitting a declare might fluctuate, based mostly on the place you reside and the kind of insurance coverage you’ve, however all the mandatory steps must be related for probably the most half.
Who Ought to File the Declare?
Automobile insurance coverage claims are usually filed by the motive force who’s at fault—however it’s a good suggestion to file a declare along with your insurance coverage firm no matter who brought on the accident. Based mostly on the proof supplied, your insurance coverage firm will decide who’s at fault. Submitting a declare even if you’re not at fault also can function a great 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 accountability 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 automotive they hit.
Steps to Make a Declare for a Automobile Accident
In the event you’ve been in a automotive 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 could be in a state of shock and will not know find out how to act at first. Make sure that nobody is significantly injured earlier than you begin getting ready for the claims course of.
2. Collect Data
It’s vital to put in writing down as many particulars concerning the accident as you may, from the time it occurred to your recollection of the order of occasions. Change your title and insurance coverage info with the opposite driver and decide when and the place the accident befell. Make an preliminary evaluation of how extreme the accident is, so you may describe it to your insurance coverage firm. In the event you can, take a number of 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 referred to as as a way to file a police report. Your insurance coverage will seemingly want a police report when evaluating your declare.
4. File a Declare
As soon as everyone seems to be secure, info has been gathered and exchanged, and also you’ve referred to as the police, you’re able to file your automotive accident insurance coverage declare.
Submitting Made Simple: 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 information, and speak to for others concerned
- Photographs of car injury and the accident scene
- A replica of the police report (if accessible)
You may file your declare:
What Occurs After You File a Automobile Insurance coverage Declare?
After you file your automotive insurance coverage declare, a claims handler will start reviewing your case. This a part of the automotive insurance coverage claims course of features a detailed investigation, fault willpower, and injury evaluation, all of which assist decide your payout. Study extra about every ingredient of your auto insurance coverage declare course of:
Investigation and Fault Dedication
After you submit your declare, the investigation and fault willpower will embrace the next:
- A claims handler will contact you inside a number of days to gather any extra info wanted and supply a declare quantity.
- They’ll evaluation your report, images of the accident and scene, and the police report (if accessible).
- They could communicate with different drivers, witnesses, or restore professionals.
- Your car could also be inspected instantly or by a third-party supplier.
- The handler will decide who’s at fault based mostly on the proof supplied.
Harm Evaluation and Protection Assessment
As soon as the investigation is full, your insurance coverage firm will:
- Assessment your coverage protection to calculate what’s coated.
- Present or approve a restore estimate in your car.
Declare Settlement and Fee
As soon as the investigation, fault willpower, injury evaluation, and protection evaluation are full, your insurance coverage firm will transfer ahead with settling your declare. Right here’s what you may anticipate:
- Fee might be issued to cowl damages, minus any deductible.
- If one other driver is concerned, each insurance coverage firms will coordinate to find out monetary accountability.
- As soon as cost is issued and all issues are resolved, your declare might be closed.
Declare Processing Timing & Steps: From Submitting to Fee
The declare course of can typically take a number of weeks, although it could take longer relying on the time wanted to assemble 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 evaluation the incident, examine injury, and collect crucial particulars. | Inside a number of days after submitting |
| 3. Adjuster Evaluations 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 Fee | After the declare is finalized, your cost is processed—minus any deductible. | Inside a number of days after settlement |
A Good Coverage Makes the Automobile Insurance coverage Declare Course of Clean
Having a great insurance coverage coverage will make it simpler to undergo the automotive 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 below two minutes, and study extra about automotive insurance coverage from our weblog.
Why You Can Belief The Common’s Declare Course of
The Common has a historical past and observe document you may belief:
- A rated by AM Finest for monetary stability
- In enterprise for over 60 years
- 4.7 out of 5 star ranking from over 120,000 actual buyer evaluations on TrustPilot
Listed below are a number of buyer evaluations 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 celebration 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 and so they have made all the pieces so easy to make use of, from submitting a declare to answering any questions I’ve had concerning my coverage. “
Ceaselessly Requested Questions About Automobile Insurance coverage Claims
How lengthy does a automotive insurance coverage declare take?
The time it takes to resolve a automotive insurance coverage declare depends upon the complexity of the accident. The method can take anyplace from a number of weeks to a couple months. Easy claims could also be resolved rapidly, whereas extra concerned claims—corresponding to these with accidents or complete loss—take longer to settle.
How lengthy do I’ve to file a declare?
Claims must be filed as quickly because it’s secure to take action. Reporting promptly helps guarantee particulars are correct and avoids delays. Particular deadlines might fluctuate based mostly in your coverage and state necessities.
Do I have to file a police report for my declare?
In the event you’re concerned in an accident, it’s best to 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 automotive insurance coverage declare elevate my charges?
Submitting an auto insurance coverage declare might have an effect on your premium, significantly when you’re discovered at fault. Whereas charge adjustments aren’t assured, it’s widespread for insurance coverage charges to regulate based mostly on declare historical past. If the injury is minor and beneath your deductible, overlaying the price out of pocket may 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 received’t end in a payout and helps hold 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 a number of days of submitting. They may evaluation your info, gather extra particulars, and information you thru the subsequent steps.
Can I observe my automotive insurance coverage declare on-line or within the app?
Sure. After submitting your declare, you may 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 automotive is asserted a complete loss?
In case your automotive is asserted a complete loss, a claims handler will decide its worth earlier than the accident. In the event you personal the car, cost is often despatched on to you. If there’s a mortgage or lease, cost could also be despatched to the lienholder.
How do insurance coverage declare payouts work?
After a claims handler evaluations your protection and determines fault, your payout is calculated based mostly on restore estimates. If the automotive is repairable, cost is often made for these repairs. If the car is a complete loss, the settlement relies on the automotive’s worth earlier than the accident, minus your deductible.
Ought to I file a declare if I’m not at fault?
Sure, it’s best to nonetheless file a declare. A claims handler will collect info 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 through The Common App.
Can I file a third-party declare if I’m not insured by The Common?
Sure. In the event you had been concerned in an accident with somebody insured by The Common, you may 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 automotive insurance coverage and a declare course of designed to maintain issues quick, clear, and stress-free. You may 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 ranking on Trustpilot from tens of hundreds of shoppers, drivers belief The Common to ship fast service and dependable help when it issues most.
