What is an insurance claim and when should you file one?

After the immediate aftermath of a car accident, you may be faced with the unfamiliar task of filing an insurance claim. This is something you’ll need to do in order to cover the cost of damages and medical expenses, particularly if you were at fault. Even if you have never filed a car insurance claim before, Bankrate’s team of insurance experts can help you understand the process. Knowing when and how to file a car insurance claim can help you make good use of your coverage to avoid financial strain after a traffic incident.

What is a car insurance claim?

An auto insurance claim is essentially your way of notifying your insurance provider that you’ll need to use your policy to cover expenses after your car is damaged in a covered incident. The process varies from provider to provider, but how you file a car insurance claim usually begins with a phone call, filling out an online form or using your insurance company’s app to begin the process.

It’s important to note that you should file a claim as soon as possible after a car accident. You may even be able to do it while you’re still at the site of the accident. You should file a claim whenever something happens that your policy would cover. So, for example, if you have comprehensive coverage and your car was vandalized or stolen, you would file a claim for the related loss.

Really, when you’ll file an auto insurance claim depends on the types of coverage you have. So let’s look at some of the most common coverage types:

• Liability coverage: This provides protection when you cause an accident or damage with your car. Most states require you to have bodily injury liability coverage if you hurt someone else and property damage liability coverage if you damage someone else’s car, fence, mailbox or other property while you’re behind the wheel.
• Collision coverage: While your liability coverage can pay toward fixing someone else’s car if you’re at fault in an accident and their liability coverage can pay toward fixing yours if they’re responsible, you may still require insurance to step in with paying for repairing or replacing your vehicle regardless of fault. That’s where collision coverage steps in.
• Comprehensive coverage: Comprehensive covers damage or loss to your vehicle that is not caused by an accident or damage that occurs when the car is not moving. This includes theft, vandalism, or a fallen tree branch smashing your windshield. Comprehensive also covers you for hitting a deer.

The more coverage you add to your policy, the more you’ll likely need to pay. But you’ll also be protected against more risks, which means your car insurance claim might cover losses so you don’t have to.

When should I file an insurance claim?

Generally, there are more cases when you should file an auto insurance claim. Here are a few key examples:

When you’ll save money

You should consider filing a car insurance claim whenever your out-of-pocket costs would extend past your deductible. Reminder: your deductible is the amount you’ll pay for certain auto insurance coverage types to kick in. For example, if you do serious damage to your car — say, you back into something large and cause $1,500 of damage. If you have a $500 deductible, you’d really be receiving $1,000 for your auto insurance claim. In that instance, filing a car insurance claim could help save you money.

When you caused an accident or damage to someone else’s car or property

If your accident caused damage to anything other than your own car, you might want to file a claim. If the damage is minor, it might seem like something you can work out with the other driver or property owner independently. However, it’s often safer to connect with your insurer and file a claim through the proper channels. Your car insurance company has claim agents who can work with the agents of the other person’s company to ensure that the rights and responsibilities of each party are taken into consideration.

When someone has hit your car

If someone else hits your car, no matter who’s at fault, you should begin the claims process as soon as possible. If possible, gather as much information from the other driver as possible, including information on their vehicle and their insurance policy info. Get the contact information of any witnesses who are willing to give it and take photo and video evidence of the damage if you can. Keeping an accident checklist in your glove compartment can help prompt you if you’re shaken up by the incident.

When people were injured in an accident

If you’re in an accident with injuries, filing a claim as soon as possible is even more important. Your insurance company will need to have a full picture of any medical costs involved in the accident to properly determine the payout amount it will provide. Even if it appears that no one is hurt in the immediate aftermath, those involved may later discover that they require medical attention, which can make it risky to avoid filing a claim.

Is there ever a time I shouldn’t file an insurance claim?

Even though it can be beneficial to go through the insurance claim process for the financial and legal protection it provides, there are a few times you may consider skipping it:

When the damages are extremely minor

If you’re in a fender bender that leaves little damage to either car, you may not want to file a claim since it might increase your premium, no matter who is at fault. But be cautious here. If it’s truly a minor bump — say, you hit your brother’s car when backing out of your parents’ house and left a small dent in his bumper — you might be justified in skipping it. However, it can be challenging to reach an agreement with a stranger immediately. You might find that it’s easier to contact your insurer.

When you damage your own car

If you have damaged your car, you typically have a little more leeway in regard to filing a claim with your insurance company. Let’s say you’re in a one-car accident, perhaps you backed into a pole or sideswiped a cement barrier, and it results in your car having only minor damage. In these cases, you may be able to get the damage fixed for less than your deductible, so it may make more sense to pay for the damage yourself rather than make a potential premium-raising claim. If the damage is significant, though, you may want to consider contacting your insurer to get help paying for repairs.

How will an insurance claim impact my car insurance rates?

Even if you are not at fault in an accident, your car insurance cost is likely to rise after you make an insurance claim. Why? Insurers are in the business of assessing risk and it’s possible that they may consider you a higher-risk driver once you are involved in an accident, regardless of the circumstances.

Data from Quadrant Information Services shows that drivers with at-fault accidents on their records pay an average of 41 percent more for full coverage policies than drivers with clean records. The surcharge for a minimum coverage policy is similar, about 44 percent more on average for an at-fault accident. If your insurer raises your car insurance rate to a price out of your budget, you may consider comparing quotes from other providers.

But this isn’t always the case. Many insurers offer accident forgiveness. What this means exactly varies from insurer to insurer, but in general, it means your rates won’t go up after your first at-fault accident. Some insurers charge extra for this option while others include it in the basic policy. It’s worth considering looking for an insurer with this option if you have a clean driving record for at least the last three years.

What happens if a driver files against my insurance company?

You can generally expect an insurance claim to be filed against you if you were in an accident. Sometimes, though, this may come as a surprise, like if you were parked next to someone who notes damage on their vehicle. In such an event, your insurance carrier will contact you promptly once the other driver has filed a claim. Your insurer will take some time to review any police records and get in touch with others involved in the accident to determine fault for the incident. You can consult an attorney to ensure you follow the best course of action during this process.

If your insurance determines you are at fault for what happened, you will be responsible for paying your deductible and any expenses that exceed your policy limits. You may also see a spike in the cost of your annual premium at renewal.

Frequently asked questions

• • How do I file an insurance claim?

    Filing a claim is generally a straightforward process that can be initiated by calling your insurer’s claim hotline, filing online or using its dedicated mobile app. Some companies may require you to email documentation to a claims account. Regardless of how you file initially, be sure to provide all the information requested. This may include the other driver’s information — if you have it — as well as police record details and photos of damage. If you are unsure of how to file, reach out to your insurance agent directly to get started.

  • Do I need a police report to file an insurance claim?

    Not necessarily, as long as you can get the necessary information (like proof of damages) to your insurance provider. However, getting a police report can help you in two ways when you’re figuring out how to file an insurance claim.
    
    
    First, the report provides evidence of the accident. This can be especially helpful if you need to prove that the other driver was at fault.
    
    
    Secondly, many states require that certain accidents be reported to law enforcement. You usually need to report an accident when the damages exceed a certain dollar amount or someone was injured. By getting the police report, you gain documentation that may be necessary otherwise.

  • How is fault determined in a car accident?

    Fault refers to the party who caused a car accident. In some accidents, fault is easier to assign than in others, but will typically be ‘officially’ determined by the police and/or insurance companies, although the drivers involved and other witnesses may also play a role.
    
    
    Fault can become a confusing term for a lot of people who live in no-fault states. No-fault, in that instance, does not actually refer to whether or not someone is responsible for causing the accident. Rather, it refers to a set of car insurance rules mandated by the state that require drivers to carry special insurance that kicks in for each driver and their passengers after an accident, regardless of who caused the accident. No-fault does not mean someone did not cause an accident, and the at-fault driver can still be held liable for damages beyond what everyone’s no-fault insurance covered.

  • How long after an accident can you file a claim?

    Each state has a different statute of limitations for filing a claim. The type of damage sustained and your insurance company’s claim protocols could also affect your timeframe. Typically, it’s best to file a claim as soon as possible so you can start the process and receive your payout.
    
    
    If you’re unsure of what to do or when to file, contact your insurance provider. An agent should be able to explain your state’s regulations and the company’s claims process. If you decide to file a claim, the agent can start the process right away.