how to claim insurance for car repair

Follow these instructions to file a claim for car repairs: 1. Contact your insurance company and tell them what happened. You should give them the time, location, names of people involved, and a summary of the situation—along with the other driver’s name, phone number, and insurance information.

Full Answer

Do I need to file a car repair insurance claim?

Being adequately covered to take care of car repairs is worth it. If something does go wrong, like you drive into a deep pothole or have a fender bender with another vehicle, you will need to file a car repair insurance claim. So how do you file a car repair claim?

Who do I file a claim with after a car accident?

Things are a bit different if you have collision insurance, however. In that case, you can file a claim with either your auto insurance company or the other driver's insurer. Filing with your insurer starts a process called subrogation.

How do I make sure my car insurance claim gets paid?

You’ll want to follow several steps to make sure your claim gets paid and your car is repaired as quickly as possible. How do I file a car insurance claim? Most insurers offer several ways to file a claim and make the process convenient for you. Those include: Online. You can submit claims forms online through most major insurer’s websites.

What car repairs does insurance pay for?

The car repairs your insurance pays for depends on the type of coverage you requested for your policy. If you only purchase the minimum amount of liability insurance your state requires, your policy will cover accident-related damage and injuries you cause to someone else. But it won’t pay for damage to your vehicle or your medical bills.

Is it worth it to file a car insurance claim?

It is worth it to file a car insurance claim if you were injured, the cost of the damage is more than you can afford to pay out of pocket, or anoth...

Does filing a claim increase car insurance rates?

Filing a claim will increase car insurance premiums from 3% to 32% on average for three to five years in almost all cases. How much your rate goes...

How do car insurance companies pay out claims?

Car insurance companies pay out claims by sending a check or bank transfer to the person who filed the claim, or by paying the mechanic directly....

How does fault affect car insurance claims?

Fault affects car insurance claims by determining which driver's insurance company will cover the damage. In most states, the at-fault driver's...

How can I negotiate a settlement with an insurance claims adjuster?

To negotiate a settlement with an insurance claims adjuster: Start by filing a claim and sending a completed proof-of-loss form to your insurer a...

What is an insurance claims history report?

An insurance claims history report is a list of all the car insurance claims an individual has filed over the past 5-7 years. Most car insurance co...

Do I have to file a claim after an accident?

No, you do not have to file a claim after an accident . Most car insurance companies require you to report accidents as soon as possible, but re...

Should I file an insurance claim for bumper damage?

Yes, you should file an insurance claim for bumper damage if the cost of repairs is significantly higher than your deductible or another driver w...

Should I file a claim with my auto insurance or theirs?

You should file a claim with the other driver's auto insurance company if you are not at fault for the accident and you have standard liability ins...

Type of car insurance that covers repairs

First things first, when we refer to car repair insurance, we aren't talking about mechanical breakdown insurance.

How much does car repair insurance cost?

As for how much it costs to have collision and comprehensive insurance, it may seem like a lot, but it's a drop in the bucket compared to shelling out thousands of dollars or more, after a serious accident.

How much will repairs cost if you have a car repair insurance policy?

Of course, it's important to not fall into that trap of thinking, "Well, car repair insurance will pay for everything. If I have a car accident, I won't have to pay anything." That isn't likely to be the case.

Is car repair insurance worth it?

When an accident happens and you need to repair your car, having the right car insurance for repairs can save you thousands of dollars. Being adequately covered to take care of car repairs is worth it.

How to file a car repair insurance claim

If something does go wrong, like you drive into a deep pothole or have a fender bender with another vehicle, you will need to file a car repair insurance claim.

When is it not worth filing a car repair insurance claim?

As it turns out, there are a couple of times when you might be better off paying for repairs yourself and not using your car repair insurance.

Do I have to fix my car with insurance money?

Let’s say your insurance company sends you the car repair insurance claims check and now you’re thinking, "you know, my car can still safely drive. Is it okay if I spend this check something else instead of repairing my car?”

How much does insurance go up if you are not at fault?

On average, a not-at-fault accident makes insurance costs go up by about 12%, compared to 45% for an at-fault accident.

How long does it take for auto insurance to pay out?

It typically takes about 30 days for an auto insurer to pay out a claim, but the exact timeframe can vary depending on the policyholder's state and the circumstances of the claim. Most car insurance policies state a maximum amount that the insurer will pay for different types of claims.

How much does insurance increase with a claim of $2,000?

Drivers who make a single claim of $2,000 or more can expect their premiums to increase by an average of 20% to 40% for three to five years. Let's say you backed into your mailbox, causing $700 in damage, and you've got a $500 deductible. That means the insurance company is only going to pay $200 of the cost.

What happens if you are found to have contributed to an accident?

If you are found to have contributed to the accident in even a small way, the amount you can recover from the other driver’s insurance company could be reduced proportionally.

How much does car insurance raise your premium?

Car insurance claims raise premiums by an average of 12% to 45%, depending on the circumstances and insurance company.

What to do if you don't get a police report?

If you did not get a police report at the scene, you can still go to a local police station to file a report.

What happens if your car is damaged?

If your car needs to be repaired or replaced after sustaining damage, the process of filing a claim will be determined by what caused the damage. Something other than a collision: If your car is stolen, vandalized, or damaged by weather, file a claim under your own comprehensive insurance.

What to do if you are in a car accident?

If you’re involved in a car accident, the first thing to do is step back, catch your breath and make sure you and your passengers haven’t been injured. Soft tissue injuries are a concern even in a bumper-bump, and injuries raise the stakes for an insurance claim.

What is liability insurance?

Liability insurance pays for a victim’s claims for damages such as medical expenses, property damage, lost wages and pain and suffering. Almost every state requires minimal liability coverage, but amounts vary. California, for example, requires only $15,000 in injury coverage for one person in an accident.

What happens if someone crashes into you?

If someone else crashes into you, in the simplest scenario you’ll make a claim against their liability insurance. This is called a third-party claim: You’re the third party to the other driver and their insurance company. The other person’s insurer will process the claim, but don’t count on a quick payment. The insurer might want ...

Why is it important to have high insurance?

For those with assets and savings, a high amount of auto insurance is a way to protect what you’ve worked for. Liability insurance also pays for your legal defense if you’re sued over something covered by your policy, like a car accident. Collision insurance is optional unless it’s required for your car loan or lease.

How many car accidents are reported by police every year?

There are about 6 million crashes reported by police every year in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. About three million people are injured or killed in these car accidents, so there are a huge number of lawsuits and insurance claims every year.

What is the most valuable tool after a car accident?

But the most valuable tool after a car accident is your cell phone. Take pictures of the damage to your car and the other vehicles involved, license plates, road conditions like ice, rain or snow, and any other contributing factors such as nearby intersections and road signs.

How long does it take to get a subpoena for an accident?

Filing fees are usually reasonable, and the wait time for a hearing is generally about a month or two. You also have the right to subpoena witnesses, including the other driver, the insurer’s claims adjuster, and anyone else who may have been involved with the accident.

What to do if your car is damaged?

Following a car-damaging event, you should immediately contact the following authorities: 1 9-1-1 emergency services if anyone is injured 2 Local police if other cars/property is involved 3 Your insurer to report a claim

Who pays to fix your car?

Who pays to fix your vehicle. If you're at fault for an accident, your insurer will cover your repairs after you pay your deductible, however if the other driver is at fault you can file a claim with their insurance provider. If the other driver is at fault, you can choose to have his insurer handle your claim;

What is the deductible for collision insurance?

Collision and comprehensive are typically optional coverages that pay for your repairs to your vehicle after an accident. These protections carry a deductible — usually about $250, $500 or $1,000. The lower your deductible, the higher your premiums will be, but the less you'll be responsible for out of pocket if you file a claim.

What does collision insurance pay for?

These aren't required by law but can be required by your leasing or finance company. Collision Insurance pays for repairs or replacements to your car when involved in an accident ...

Why is it important to have full coverage on a new car?

If you have a newer model, it's worthwhile to get full coverage because the value you stand to lose is higher if your car gets totaled. These coverages are all different from liability insurance, which covers damages to another person's car or property, as well as bodily injuries, that result from an accident you caused.

How much does rental car insurance cost?

Often, there's a per-accident, per-day, and maximum days limit (such as $600 per accident, $20 per day, and 30 days maximum) for this coverage, which can cost less than $10 per day. Having both comprehensive and collision is ...

What does comprehensive insurance cover?

Comprehensive Insurance covers damages to your vehicle not caused by a collision. Incidents include theft, vandalism, fire, falling objects, severe storms and natural disasters, hitting an animal, and acts of God or nature that are typically out of your control when driving.

Types of policies

It is useful to broadly understand the different types of insurance policies and what “liability” will be covered under each of these insurance types.

To claim or not to claim?

Various factors go into deciding whether you can or should claim insurance on your car body/paint repairs namely:

Do the math

To determine if it makes financial sense to claim insurance for your car body/paint repair, we have some simple worked examples to illustrate the above point:

Payment methods for insurance claims

Depending on the Insurer and the workshop, a customer will be able to make “cashless” or “cash-payment” insurance claims.

How much does car insurance increase after an accident?

According to Savvy, car insurance rates can increase from 6 to 10% after an accident. If your policy includes accident forgiveness, the insurance company won’t increase your rates after your first at-fault accident. This add-on is available from several major insurers for an additional premium.

What to consider when selecting an auto insurance policy?

There are many things to consider when selecting an auto insurance policy. Price. Rates can vary widely between insurers, so it’s important to shop around before choosing a policy. Coverage. Make sure the policy you choose offers the different types of coverage you need. Policy limits.

What type of insurance covers a rental car?

Rental car insurance. If you’re in an accident or a plow runs into your car while it’s removing hail or snow, you’ll need to get your car repaired. This type of insurance covers the cost of a rental until you can drive your car again. Non-owner car. If you drive cars you don’t own, non-owner car insurance provides liability coverage ...

What is the standard car insurance policy?

A standard car insurance policy typically includes up to five major types of coverage that can help protect you if you’re in an accident, your vehicle is stolen, or another covered incident damages your car. Types of major insurance coverage: Liability. Medical payments and personal injury protection. Collision.

What does car insurance cover?

What You Didn’t Know Insurance Covered. Most people buy car insurance to help pay for repairs and medical bills if they’re in an accident. But it can also cover lost wages and funeral expenses, and it’s not just for accidents. If you carry comprehensive coverage, the insurance company will pay for damaged caused by weather-related events, ...

What happens if your car is not covered by the manufacturer's warranty?

But if the warranty is expired and your car is not covered under an extended warranty, you’ll likely be on the hook for repair costs. MBI, or mechanical breakdown insurance, helps pay to repair parts and systems your standard auto insurance policy doesn’t cover.

How often do you need to renew MBI insurance?

If you purchase MBI, you can typically renew it annually until your car reaches a certain age or number of miles, depending on the policy.