How Can I Check the Status of My Auto Insurance Claim?
Last Updated on July 28, 2023
Keeping track of your car insurance claim is important. You can learn when you’ll receive payment. You can stay up-to-date on repairs or get alerts if more evidence is needed.
Most insurance companies make it easy to check the status of your insurance claim. In fact, many companies let you check claim status using an app or website.
Checking the status of your insurance claim is always a good idea. Today, we’re explaining how to check the status of any auto insurance claim.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Most insurance companies handle thousands of claims per year. They have well-established claims processes. Many of them make it easy to check the status of your insurance claim.
Start by checking your insurance company’s website or app. Login to your account and try to check the status of your claim. You may need to enter your claim number, which was assigned when you filed your insurance claim.
You can contact your insurer about your claim in multiple ways, including:
- Contacting support staff via the website or online form
- Calling your insurer
- Using your insurer’s mobile app
Claim support phone numbers, by insurer:
| Insurer | Claim Contact Number |
|---|---|
| 21st Century | 888-244-6163 |
| AAA | 800-222-7623 |
| Allstate | 800-255-7828 |
| American Family | 800-MY-AMFAM (800-692-6326) |
| Amica Mutual | 800-242-6422 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Group | 888-252-4626 |
| Bristol West Insurance | 800-274-7865 |
| Chubb | 800-252-4670 |
| COUNTRY Financial | 866-COUNTRY (866-268-6879) |
| Dairyland | 800-334-0090 |
| Erie Insurance | 800-367-3743 |
| Farmers | 800-435-7764 |
| GEICO | 800-841-3000 |
| Infinity | 800-334-1661 |
| Kemper | 888-252-2799 |
| Liberty Mutual | 800-225-2467 |
| MetLife | 800-854-6011 |
| National General | 800-468-3466 |
| Nationwide | 800-421-3535 |
| Progressive | 800-PROGRESSIVE (800-776-4737) |
| Safeco | 800-332-3226 |
| Say Insurance | 800-225-5729 |
| Texas Farm Bureau | 800-266-5458 |
| The General | 800-280-1466 |
| The Hanover | 800-628-0250 |
| The Hartford | 800-243-5860 |
| Travelers | 800-252-4633 |
| USAA | 800-531-8722 |
| Westfield | 866-937-2663 |
In most cases, you will not need to call the claim support phone number to check the status of your claim. Most insurers now let you check the status of your claim online or via the mobile app. Just login to your account or open your app.
Things to Know About Your Insurance Claim
Checking the status of your claim can reveal useful information about your claim. Most insurers will explain the following about your insurance claim:
- Whether your claim has been received, is processing, or has been closed
- Whether your claim was approved or denied
- The date on which your claim was received or completed
- The name and contact information of your advisor or adjuster
- Your car insurance policy number or claims number
How Long Does It Take to Process My Claim?
Most insurers aim to process a claim within 14 to 21 days of receiving it. Insurance companies do not want claims to stretch out. They want to close your claim as quickly and efficiently as possible, although they may investigate the claim further if they suspect insurance fraud.
On average, a car insurance claim should be closed within 15 to 45 days.
More complicated claims may take longer. A claim with multiple personal injury claims, for example, could take months to process. The insurer has to consider multiple injuries, extensive medical bills, future physical therapy costs, and other expenses.
A simple claim will take less time. A minor fender bender with no injuries, for example, will be much simpler for your insurer to process.
Insurance claims can also take longer if there’s a dispute over fault. If you claim the other driver was at fault, and the other driver denies it, then your insurer may have to conduct an investigation.
What Happens If My Insurer is Delaying My Claim?
Every year, insurance companies across the United States are accused of acting in bad faith. Insurance companies may act in bad faith by delaying your claim, dragging their feet, or offering disappointingly low payouts.
Some insurance companies also act in bad faith by refusing to investigate your claim or denying your claim without giving a reason.
Each state has a regulatory agency in charge of the insurance industry. When an insurer is acting in bad faith, you can report the insurer to your state’s insurance commissioner.
Some policyholders also hire an insurance attorney. You might hire an attorney if your claim has a significant amount of disputed money at stake.
What Happens If the Claim is With a Different Insurer?
If the other driver was at-fault for the accident, then you would contact the other insurer to check the status of your claim.
In this situation, the other insurance company may have given you a claim number when you filed the claim. You can call or email that insurance company to check the status of that claim. Or, some insurers let you enter a claim number into a website or mobile app to check the status – even if you’re not a customer.
Contact the other insurance company if you’re uncertain about how they’re handling your claim.
Insurers Process Claims Differently
All insurance companies use the same basic process for a car insurance claim:
- Step 1) The insurer receives your claim
- Step 2) The insurer assigns an adjuster or agent to evaluate the claim
- Step 3) The insurer accepts, rejects, or adjusts the claim, then sends the final payment to the policyholder.
This is the basic process for an insurance claim, although all companies approach this process differently. Plus, each claim is unique. Sometimes, an insurer can work through these three steps in just a few hours or days. In other cases, it takes weeks or months.
Insurers have different processes for handling claims. Some insurers are notoriously slow with insurance claims processing. They’re more thorough with an investigation.
After a natural disaster, your insurance company may be overwhelmed with claims. A hailstorm, for example, can force the insurer to suddenly process thousands of car repair claims.
For all of these reasons, claims processing times depend largely on your insurance company, the type of claim being processed, and other factors.
Final Word on Checking Claim Status
Contact your insurance company to check the status of your claim. You can call or email your insurance agent to check the status of your claim. Or, some insurers have a mobile app.
By checking the status of your claim regularly, you can stay up-to-date on payment details and settlement information. Your insurer may also alert you if you need to provide more information – like additional photos, receipts, or paperwork.
Contact your insurer, visit your insurer’s website, or check your insurer’s mobile app to check the status of your claim.
