What Is the Proper Way to File an Insurance Claim After an Accident?

Last Updated on December 27, 2025

After a crash, filing an insurance claim can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re dealing with injuries, a damaged vehicle, and a flood of phone calls. The good news: once you know what your insurer needs, filing an insurance claim is usually a straightforward process.

Below is the proper way to file a claim after a car accident, what information to collect, and how injury and property damage claims typically work.

Key Takeaways

• After a crash, prioritize safety first—then document the scene with photos, witness info, and (if available) a police report number.
• Report the accident promptly and get a claim number; delays can complicate coverage and slow down inspections, repairs, and payments.
• Injury claims may flow through the at-fault driver’s liability coverage, your own PIP/MedPay, or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage depending on your state and policy.
• To avoid delays, stick to the facts, keep every receipt and invoice, and don’t sign releases or accept settlements until you understand what’s included.

Step 1: Prioritize Safety and Document the Scene

Before you think about insurance, take care of immediate safety. Call 911 if anyone is hurt, and move vehicles out of traffic only if it’s safe to do so. Then, work through the essentials you should handle after a car accident.

• Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s).
• Take wide and close-up photos of all vehicles, damage, license plates, road conditions, traffic signs/signals, and any visible injuries.
• Get witness names and phone numbers (if anyone saw what happened).
• If police respond, ask how to obtain the report number and a copy of the report.

Even if you feel “fine,” consider getting checked out as soon as possible. Some symptoms (like headaches, neck/back pain, or soreness) don’t always show up immediately.

Step 2: Decide Whether to File a Claim

Your next decision is whether filing is worth it—and which policy should pay. A common rule of thumb: if repairs are likely to cost less than your deductible, you might choose to pay out of pocket for minor damage. But there are good reasons to report the accident anyway, including potential injuries, hidden vehicle damage, or a dispute about fault that appears later.

If you’re unsure, call your insurer and ask about your options. Reporting doesn’t always mean you must move forward with repairs immediately—you can often open a claim and decide next steps after you understand coverage and costs.

Step 3: Gather the Information You’ll Need to Start a Claim

Having the right details ready can prevent delays. When you contact your insurer, expect to provide:

• Your name and policy number
• Date, time, and exact location of the crash
• Other driver’s name, contact info, insurer, and policy info (if available)
• Driver’s license numbers and license plate numbers for everyone involved
• Witness names and phone numbers (if any)
• Photos/videos of the scene and damage
• Police report number (if a report was made)

Your insurer may also ask for a written or recorded statement. Stick to the facts, avoid guessing, and don’t feel pressured to agree with someone else’s version of events on the spot.

Step 4: File the Claim and Get a Claim Number

You can usually start a claim by phone, online, or through your insurer’s app. (In most states, electronic proof of insurance is valid, and many insurers accept digital claim uploads like photos and documents.)

When you file, ask for your claim number and the adjuster’s contact information, then keep a simple log of who you spoke to and when. For a consumer-friendly overview of what insurers typically request, see the NAIC’s guide to filing an auto claim.

What Happens After You File

While every insurer handles claims a little differently, most claims follow a similar path:

• Claim setup: Your insurer opens the claim and assigns an adjuster.
• Investigation: The adjuster reviews statements, photos, police reports, and sometimes vehicle data or witness info.
• Damage inspection: An estimate is created (in person, by photo, or at a partner shop).
• Repairs or total loss decision: Your vehicle is repaired, or it’s declared a total loss if repair costs exceed a threshold.
• Payment: You receive payment (or your repair shop/lender is paid), minus any deductible that applies.
• Closure and follow-up: The claim is finalized, and subrogation may happen if another party is responsible.

Important: Prevent further damage. Insurers typically expect reasonable temporary steps (like covering a broken window). Save receipts—temporary repair costs may be reimbursable depending on your policy and claim.

How Injury Claims Work

If you’re injured, the correct coverage depends on your state and the circumstances:

• At-fault driver’s coverage: In many states, injuries are pursued through the other driver’s bodily injury liability coverage if they caused the crash.
• No-fault/PIP states: Some states require your own personal injury protection (PIP) to pay first, regardless of fault.
• MedPay: If you carry it, medical payments coverage can help cover medical bills for you and passengers (rules vary by state).
• Uninsured/underinsured drivers: If the at-fault driver has little or no coverage, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can be a critical backup.

You can also use your health insurance to cover treatment while the auto claim works its way through the system. If you’re asked to sign medical authorizations or a settlement release, read carefully—signing a release can limit your ability to seek additional compensation later.

How Property Damage Claims Work

Property damage is handled differently depending on what coverage you have and who was at fault:

• Liability (the other driver pays): If the other driver caused the crash, their property damage liability coverage typically pays for your vehicle damage.
• Your policy pays (first-party claim): If you use your own policy, you generally need collision coverage for crash damage. For non-collision events (theft, hail, falling objects, animal strikes, vandalism), comprehensive coverage usually applies.

Ask your insurer about rental reimbursement, towing coverage, and how payments are issued (to you, the shop, or a lienholder). If your car is totaled, you may be offered an “actual cash value” settlement—review the valuation details, mileage, options, and condition so the offer matches your vehicle.

Claim Tips That Prevent Delays

• Report promptly: Most policies require notice within a reasonable time—don’t wait.
• Be consistent and factual: If you don’t know an answer, say so instead of guessing.
• Keep everything: Photos, estimates, repair invoices, rental/tow receipts, and medical bills.
• Don’t inflate or “round up” damages: It can trigger extra scrutiny and slow down the claim.
• Follow medical advice: Gaps in treatment can make injury claims harder to prove.

When to Consider Hiring an Attorney

Many straightforward property damage claims can be handled without legal help. But you may want to talk to an attorney if you have significant injuries, liability is disputed, the other insurer is denying responsibility, or you’re being pressured into a quick settlement. Here’s a helpful overview from FindLaw on when to hire a car accident lawyer.

What to Do If You Disagree With the Settlement

If an offer doesn’t seem fair, ask the adjuster to explain it in writing and provide the documents behind the decision (vehicle valuation, estimate line items, or coverage explanation). If you still can’t resolve it, you can escalate within the company and contact your state insurance department. The NAIC also explains how to handle claim complaints when you believe a claim is being mishandled.

FAQs on Filing an Insurance Claim After an Accident

Note: This article is general information, not legal advice. Coverage rules and deadlines vary by state and policy.