How to File an Insurance Claim After a Car Accident

Report the Accident Within 24 Hours

Call your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident. Most policies require "prompt notification," and waiting can give them grounds to reduce your coverage or deny the claim entirely. Some policies have specific time limits written into the contract.

You are reporting to your own insurance company first, regardless of who was at fault. Even if the other driver was clearly responsible, your insurer needs to know about the accident. They will guide you on whether to file against your own policy or pursue the other driver's insurance.

Have the following ready when you call:

• Date, time, and location of the accident
• Other driver's name, insurance company, and policy number
• Police report number
• A brief, factual description of what happened
• Whether you have been to the doctor

What to Tell Them

Stick to facts. Describe what happened in simple, objective terms:

"I was heading northbound on Main Street at approximately 35 mph. I was stopped at a red light at the intersection of Main and 5th. The other vehicle struck the rear of my car. I sustained damage to the rear bumper, trunk, and taillights. I went to the ER and was diagnosed with whiplash."

Facts only. Date, time, location, what you observed, what happened to your vehicle, and what injuries you have. Do not explain why you think the accident happened. Do not theorize about what the other driver was doing. Do not describe your emotional state.

What NOT to Tell Them

This is where people make expensive mistakes. Here are phrases that can cost you thousands:

If you are uncomfortable with any question, it is perfectly acceptable to say "I'd like to review that with my attorney before answering." Even if you do not have an attorney yet, this signals that you are taking the process seriously. If your injuries are significant, read our guide on when to hire a lawyer.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims

If the other driver does not have insurance, or if they left the scene in a hit-and-run, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage kicks in. If the other driver has insurance but not enough to cover your damages, your underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage fills the gap.

Here is what you need to know about UM/UIM claims:

• You are filing against your own insurance. That makes them both your insurer and your adversary. They have an incentive to minimize the payout.
• A police report is almost always required. For hit-and-runs, the report documents the incident and the fact that the other driver fled.
• Some states require physical contact. For your UM claim, the other vehicle may need to have physically struck yours. Check your state's requirements.
• Evidence is especially critical. Since there is no other driver to make a claim against, your evidence is all you have. Dashcam footage can be the difference between a successful claim and a denied one.

How Evidence Affects Your Claim

Insurance claims are decided on evidence. The more documentation you provide, the harder it is for the adjuster to dispute your account or minimize your damages.

Photos show the damage and conditions. The police report provides an official account. Medical records document your injuries. But dashcam footage shows exactly what happened, from an unbiased source, with a timestamp.

When an insurance adjuster reviews a claim with dashcam footage showing the other driver running a red light, they do not argue about fault. When the footage shows the speed of impact, they do not argue about the severity. The claim gets processed faster and the settlement is higher because there is nothing to dispute.

For a detailed look at how dashcam footage is used in legal and insurance proceedings, read our guide on dashcam footage as evidence.

If They Deny Your Claim

Insurance claim denials happen, and they are not always the final word. If your claim is denied, here is what to do:

Get the denial in writing. Ask for a detailed explanation of why the claim was denied. They are required to provide this. Read it carefully and understand their specific reasons.

Review your policy. Compare the denial reasons against your actual policy language. Insurance companies sometimes deny claims based on interpretations that do not hold up when challenged.

File an appeal. Most insurers have a formal appeals process. Submit additional evidence, correct any factual errors in their denial, and reference the specific policy provisions that support your claim.

Contact your state's insurance department. Every state has a regulatory body that oversees insurance companies. Filing a complaint can prompt a review of the denial.

Consult an attorney. If the claim is substantial and the denial seems unjustified, a personal injury attorney can evaluate whether the denial is legitimate or whether the insurer is acting in bad faith. Bad faith denials can result in additional damages beyond the original claim.

At-Fault vs. No-Fault States

How your claim is processed depends partly on which state you are in. There are two main systems:

Regardless of your state's system, evidence matters. Fault still needs to be determined for property damage claims, for claims that exceed PIP limits, and for any potential lawsuit. Strong evidence like a police report and dashcam footage protects you in every state.

For the full accident response process, including steps to take before you even think about insurance, see our complete car accident guide.