How To File a Car Insurance Claim: Step-by-Step Guide for 2025

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Whether you cause a minor ding on your bumper or are involved in a high-speed collision on a highway, dealing with car accidents can be stressful. Since out-of-pocket costs can add up quickly, knowing what to do next is key. This guide will walk you through how to file a car insurance claim and help you take the right steps to get reimbursed fairly and avoid financial hardships.

When Should You File a Car Insurance Claim?

Generally, filing a claim is warranted after the following incidents:

• Accidents involving another driver.
• Single-vehicle damage incidents, such as weather damage, if you have comprehensive coverage.
• Damage from vandalism or natural disasters, if you have comprehensive coverage.
• Theft of the vehicle, if you have comprehensive coverage.

It might not make sense to file a claim if your vehicle only incurs minor damage.

What To Do Immediately After an Accident: 5 Quick Steps

If you get into a car accident, here’s what to do immediately:

1. Check for injuries: Start by confirming that your passengers and anyone in the other vehicle are okay. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately for assistance from first responders.
2. Stay aware of safety: If it’s safe to do so, move your vehicles out of traffic and into a safe location while you sort out the situation with the others involved.
3. Call the police: Make sure the police come and file a report. It might seem okay to leave the scene if you have a fender bender, but the other driver might change the story about what happened later on. It’s best to have a police report to send to the insurance company.
4. Document the scene: Take pictures of the accident scene and the damage. Ask witnesses, if there are any, for their contact information so they can verify what happened. If necessary, call roadside assistance.
5. Exchange information: Always share insurance details with the other driver. Having this info lets you work directly with their insurer if they’re found at fault, which can help speed up your reimbursement.

Step-by-Step: How To File a Car Insurance Claim

Here’s how to file a car insurance claim, step by step, so you can get reimbursed quickly:

1. Contact Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible — even if you’re waiting for police to arrive. You can discuss the insurance claim process and what’s covered by your policy.

2. Provide Essential Information

In order to move your claim forward, the insurer will likely need the following information:

• Drivers’ and passengers’ names and contact information
• Vehicle descriptions
• Drivers’ license numbers
• License plate numbers
• Insurance companies and policy numbers
• Witnesses’ names and contact information
• Accident scene location
• The police officer’s name and badge number

Be prepared to answer any questions the insurer has about the situation.

3. Complete a Claim Form

The insurance company will help you start the claims process. They will walk you through how to submit additional documentation like the police report and photos.

Documents You’ll Need To File a Claim

• A police report from the accident
• Contact information for everyone involved
• Estimated repair costs from a repair shop
• Your insurance policy number

You may also need to provide additional details as your claim moves forward, so keep all related documents handy.

4. Meet With a Claims Adjuster

The insurance company will have an adjuster assess the situation and give you an estimate of how much it will cost to repair your car.

Good To Know

The insurance adjuster’s estimate isn’t the final offer. Always get at least one additional repair estimate to make sure you’re not being shortchanged — and remember, repair costs are negotiable if new damage is discovered.

You might also be entitled to diminished value reimbursement if you weren’t at fault. Diminished value refers to the amount of resale value your car has lost even after it was properly repaired.

If your mechanic tells you that the repairs will cost $1,500 but the resale value of your car will be reduced by $2,000 even after they’re completed, negotiate that point with the adjuster.

5. Get Repair Estimates or Use Approved Shops

Most insurance companies provide a list of approved repair shops to work with. Working with an approved shop will typically make the claims process flow smoothly.

If you don’t like any of the approved shops, consider getting repair estimates from other shops. If you find a particularly good deal, consider asking your insurer if they’ll allow you to go through a shop that’s not on the “approved” list.

6. Track the Claim and Receive Payment

After you file your claim, you’ll need to wait on the insurance company. Depending on the situation, it might take days, weeks or months to finalize your claim. Once it is, you can expect to receive your payments to your bank account shortly.

If you are concerned the process isn’t moving quickly enough or just want an update, reach out to your insurer to see where the claim stands at any point in the process.

How Long Does a Car Insurance Claim Take?

Filing a car insurance claim is usually quick — often under 30 minutes — but the full process can take longer depending on the damage and complexity of your case. After you submit your claim, the insurer will need time to review, assess the damage and approve any payouts.

Timeline: How Long a Car Insurance Claim May Take

Here’s a quick guide to the typical timeline. Complex claims or disputes may take longer.

Step	Estimated Time
Filing the claim	Within 1 – 7 days of the accident (submission takes under 30 minutes)
Claim review and investigation	7 – 30 days, depending on complexity and documentation
Repair estimates	1 – 14 days, faster with insurer-approved shops
Payout issued	Within 30 days total, or 1 – 2 weeks after settlement

When Not To File a Car Insurance Claim

It doesn’t always make sense to file a claim. Here’s when to consider skipping a claim:

• Damage is below your deductible:
  • If the damage will cost less to repair than your deductible, filing a claim won’t help you cover the costs.
• You’re at fault for minor repairs:
  • If you caused minor damage during an accident, consider covering the costs to repair the other person’s vehicle out of pocket. Although you can file a claim, it might not make sense financially.
• You want to avoid higher premiums:
  • Typically, insurers will raise your rates after you file a claim. If you don’t mind covering minor repair costs, then skipping a claim can help you keep your auto insurance rates steady.

Final Thoughts

Tackling your auto insurance claim in a step-by-step process can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed by the process. As you navigate the claims process, understanding the details of your specific policy can help. Never be afraid to ask questions throughout the claims filing process to avoid any unwelcome surprises.

Michael Keenan contributed to the reporting for this article.

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