Things You'll Need:
- Copy of your insurance policy Copy of police report or incident report
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Step 1
If your claim only involves your car and not damage to another person or property, skip to step 3. Otherwise, call the police directly and report the accident. Call 911 only if there is an emergency.
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Step 2
Exchange insurance information and contact information with anyone else involved in the accident. Make sure the police file a police report or incident report.
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Step 3
Contact your insurance company by phone or online as soon as you can. Most companies have someone available at all times. Follow the directions of the representative who takes your call. That person will guide you through the company's claims procedure.
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Step 4
If you were at fault or no one was at fault for your auto damage, skip to step 6. If another person was at fault in the accident, contact that person's insurance company and ask it to reimburse you for expenses your insurance company won't cover. This could include your deductible or any time you miss from work.
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Step 5
Be prepared to explain your reason for filing a claim with the other party's insurance company. Explain why that person is at fault, and give details about what you expect in compensation. The company may deny part or all of your claim. Depending on the amount of money involved and the strength of your case, you may want to seek legal assistance and take your claim to court.
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Step 6
Expect your insurance provider to send a claims adjuster to meet you and evaluate your claim. That may be unnecessary if your company has a deal to accept the quote from an authorized repair shop.
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Step 7
If you are unhappy with the amount your insurance company offers you, you can escalate your claim to an arbitration process. In the meantime, your insurance company will probably give you the lower amount and pay you the rest later if they lose in arbitration.
