How to Get an Insurance Claim Number for Collision Repairs

Getting an insurance claim number is essential for ensuring you will get reimbursed for collision repairs. While the process is relatively simple, it is important not to skip any steps, or you risk losing partial (or even complete) coverage for your damages. Once obtained, the insurance claim number will help you keep tabs on the repair process and make sure the payment is processed quickly and without problems.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Information from other driver
• Blue form

1. Get information from the other driver involved in the accident, including not only personal facts, but also details relevant to the car (make, model) and the driver's own insurance policy information. You will need to provide this to your insurance company in order to process the policy and obtain a claim number.

2. Ask your insurance company for a claim number when you file your collision report. The company should issue the number right away, but it may not give you any specific paperwork for it. The number alone is enough to help you when bringing your car in for collision repairs.

3. Find out your assigned insurance claim number by calling the direct repair shop, if you have one. Some insurance companies refer you directly to an assigned repair shop rather than let you choose your own. If that is the case, you may not get an insurance claim number at the time you file your report.

4. Make sure you provide all needed information at the time of filing the original collision report. Missing details may delay the procedure and compromise your chances of getting complete coverage.

5. Fill out a "blue form" notification for serious damages that go beyond a scratch or small dent. This is especially important if you are at fault or want to avoid a premium increase in the future. A "blue form" will also accelerate the process of obtaining an insurance claim number.

Tips & Warnings

• Some companies have a time limit in which you can file to get an insurance claim number. If you are unsure of what it is, call to confirm how soon you need to provide all details after the accident. This information should also be included in the original policy you signed, so check there, too.
• Insurance companies may not file your insurance claim number for collision repairs after they give it to you, so if you lose it, you risk having to start the process all over again.