How to File a Car Insurance Claim After an Accident
What happens when you file a car insurance claim
When you file a claim, you tell your insurance company about the accident and ask them to pay for the damage. The company assigns an adjuster to your case — this person inspects the vehicle, reviews the police report if there is one, and decides how much the damage is worth. They then either pay you, pay the repair shop directly, or deny the claim if they believe the damage is not covered under your policy.
The whole process typically takes two to four weeks, though it can be faster for minor damage or slower if the claim is complicated. You will need to provide photos of the damage, the police report number (if one was filed), the other driver's information, and any medical records if someone was injured. The adjuster may contact you to ask questions about how the accident happened.
Key Takeaways
- Call your insurance company within 24 hours of the accident, even if you are not sure the damage is covered.
- Take photos of all vehicle damage from multiple angles before the car is moved or repaired.
- Gather the other driver's name, phone number, address, driver's license number, license plate, and insurance information at the scene.
- Your adjuster will inspect the damage and decide what the company will pay based on your policy coverage.
- You can dispute the adjuster's estimate if you believe it is too low, or request a second opinion from an independent appraiser.
Report the accident to your insurance company right away
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident — ideally within 24 hours. Have your policy number ready. Tell them the date, time, and location of the accident, and give a brief description of what happened. Do not admit fault or apologize; simply state the facts as you saw them.
Your insurance company will ask you questions about the accident and may ask whether anyone was injured or if police were called. Answer honestly. If you do not know something, say so rather than guessing. The company will explain what happens next and tell you whether you need to file a police report or take any other steps.
Keep the claim number they give you and write down the name and phone number of the person you spoke with. You will need this information later.
Gather information at the accident scene
Before you leave the scene, collect the other driver's name, phone number, address, driver's license number, license plate number, and insurance company name and policy number. If there were passengers in either vehicle, get their contact information too. If there were witnesses who saw the accident, ask for their names and phone numbers.
Take photos of all damage to both vehicles from multiple angles — the front, back, sides, and close-ups of dents or broken parts. If the accident happened on a road, photograph the road conditions, traffic signs, and skid marks if any. Take a photo of the other driver's license and insurance card if you can.
If police responded to the accident, ask for the report number and the officer's name and badge number. You will need the report number when you file your claim. If police did not respond but you believe the accident was serious or the other driver was at fault, you can file a report yourself at your local police station.
What the insurance adjuster does
After you file your claim, the insurance company assigns an adjuster to inspect the vehicle and estimate the cost of repairs. The adjuster may ask you to bring the car to a specific repair shop, or they may come to you. They will examine the damage, take photos, and compare the damage to similar claims they have handled.
The adjuster will also review the police report, any photos you provided, and statements from you and the other driver. If the accident was your fault, your adjuster will work with the other driver's insurance company to determine who pays what. If the other driver was at fault, their insurance company's adjuster will contact you.
The adjuster then writes an estimate of what the repairs will cost. This estimate is based on the cost of parts and labor in your area. The insurance company uses this estimate to decide how much to pay.
Understand what your policy covers
Your coverage depends on the type of insurance you have. Collision coverage pays for damage to your car if you hit another vehicle or object, regardless of who is at fault. Comprehensive coverage pays for damage from theft, weather, vandalism, or hitting an animal. Liability coverage pays for damage you cause to someone else's car or property, but does not pay for damage to your own vehicle.
If you have collision or comprehensive coverage, you will pay a deductible — a set amount you agree to pay out of pocket before the insurance company pays the rest. Common deductibles are $500 or $1,000. If the repair cost is less than your deductible, you pay the full cost yourself and the insurance company pays nothing.
If you only have liability coverage and the accident was your fault, your insurance will not pay for damage to your car. You would have to pay for repairs yourself or take the other driver to small claims court if you believe they were at fault.
What to do if you disagree with the adjuster's estimate
If you believe the adjuster's estimate is too low, you have the right to dispute it. Get a second estimate from an independent repair shop — one that is not affiliated with your insurance company. Bring both estimates to your insurance company and explain why you think the adjuster's estimate is wrong.
If the two estimates are very different, your insurance company may send a different adjuster to re-inspect the car, or they may agree to split the difference. Some policies allow you to request an independent appraisal, where a neutral third party inspects the car and decides what the repairs should cost. Both you and the insurance company must agree to accept the appraiser's decision.
If you still disagree after the appraisal, you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Department of Insurance. You can also hire a public adjuster — a professional who works on your behalf to negotiate with the insurance company — though you will have to pay them a percentage of any additional money they recover.
How the insurance company pays for repairs
Once the adjuster approves the estimate, the insurance company can pay in one of three ways. They may send you a check for the repair cost minus your deductible, and you take the car to a repair shop of your choice. They may send the check directly to the repair shop. Or they may arrange for you to take the car to a specific repair shop that they work with regularly.
If you choose your own repair shop, make sure it is licensed and insured. Get a written estimate from the shop before work begins. If the repair shop finds additional damage once they start work, they will contact you and the insurance company to approve the extra cost.
Keep all receipts and documentation from the repair shop. If the insurance company later questions the repairs, you will need proof of what was done and what it cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report the accident to the police?
South Carolina law requires you to report an accident to police if anyone was injured, if there is significant property damage, or if the other driver does not have insurance. Even if you are not required to report it, doing so creates an official record that can help your insurance claim. You can file a report at your local police station if police did not respond to the scene.
What if the other driver does not have insurance?
If the other driver has no insurance, your own uninsured motorist coverage will pay for your repairs if you have it. You will still pay your deductible. If you do not have uninsured motorist coverage, you can sue the other driver in small claims court to recover the cost of repairs, though collecting the judgment can be difficult.
How long does it take to get paid?
Most claims are approved within two to four weeks. Simple claims with clear fault may be approved faster. Complex claims involving multiple vehicles, injuries, or disputes over fault can take longer. Once approved, the insurance company typically sends payment within a few business days.
Can my insurance rates go up after I file a claim?
Yes, if you were at fault for the accident, your rates may increase when your policy renews. The increase depends on your driving history, the severity of the accident, and your insurance company's policies. If the other driver was at fault, your rates should not go up.
What if my car is totaled?
If the cost of repairs exceeds 70 to 80 percent of the car's value (the exact percentage varies by insurance company), the insurance company will declare the car a total loss. They will pay you the car's current market value minus your deductible. You will have to surrender the car to the insurance company, and they will sell it for scrap or parts.