How Do You Go Through Your Insurance Company to Get Repairs Done to Your Vehicle?

Last Updated on February 5, 2026

So you want your insurance company to pay for vehicle repairs. What’s the right way to go through your insurer so the claim moves quickly and the work gets done correctly? Below is a clear, step-by-step guide to the process of filing an insurance claim and getting your car repaired.

Before filing a claim, confirm the damage is covered (usually comprehensive or collision) and compare repair costs to your deductible.
Document everything early: photos/video, driver and witness info, and a clear timeline of what happened.
Your insurer’s estimate is often a starting point—repair shops commonly submit “supplements” if hidden damage is discovered.
Insurers may recommend preferred body shops, but you should focus on repair quality, warranties, and clear communication with your adjuster.

Table Of Contents

Step 1: Decide Whether You Should File a Claim
Step 2: Know Which Coverage Applies to Your Repairs
Step 3: Gather the Information You’ll Need to File
Step 4: Start the Claim and Schedule an Inspection
Step 5: Choose a Repair Shop (and Understand “Preferred” Shops)
Step 6: Understand the Estimate, Deductible, and Payment
Step 7: Follow a Simple Checklist to Keep the Claim Moving
FAQs on Getting Car Repairs Through Insurance
Final Word on Getting Repairs Done Through Your Insurer

Step 1: Decide Whether You Should File a Claim

Before you report anything, confirm the damage is actually covered by your policy and that it makes financial sense to file.

If you have collision coverage, it typically pays to repair your car after a crash (regardless of fault), minus your deductible.
If you have comprehensive coverage, it typically pays for non-collision damage like vandalism, theft, fire, falling objects, and storm-related losses.
If you only carry liability coverage, your policy generally pays for damage you cause to others—but not repairs to your own vehicle.

Also compare your deductible to the estimated repair cost. If the damage is close to (or below) your deductible, filing may not be worth it. On the other hand, if there’s hidden damage (common with bumpers, sensors, radiators, suspension, etc.), a claim can protect you from surprise repair bills.

Step 2: Know Which Coverage Applies to Your Repairs

Vehicle repairs are usually part of a property damage claim. They’re separate from bodily injury claims, which relate to medical expenses and similar costs.

Depending on what happened, your repairs might be paid by:

Collision coverage (crash damage)
Comprehensive coverage (non-collision losses)
The other driver’s liability coverage (if the other driver is at fault)
Uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage (where available, and if applicable)
Gap insurance coverage (if your vehicle is totaled and you owe more than it’s worth)
Windshield or glass coverage (if your policy includes it)

Step 3: Gather the Information You’ll Need to File

Once you’ve confirmed you have the right coverage, gather everything your insurer needs to set up the claim. A solid checklist is to collect key details like:

Your full name and policy number
Your policy’s effective dates
Date, time, and location of the incident
The names and contact info for drivers, passengers, and witnesses (if applicable)
The driver’s license number and license plate number for all involved drivers (if applicable)

Take photos and video as soon as it’s safe: wide shots, close-ups, the license plates, the surrounding area, and any visible fluid leaks or broken lights. If this was a single-vehicle accident or weather/vandalism loss, focus on documenting what happened (time, conditions, and what was damaged).

Step 4: Start the Claim and Schedule an Inspection

File the claim with your insurer as soon as practical. Many companies let you file by phone, online, or through an app. Once the claim is opened, you’ll usually receive a claim number and an adjuster assignment.

Your insurance company will typically send an adjuster (or ask for photos/remote inspection) to estimate the repair costs. That estimate is often the “starting point,” not the final number—especially if the shop finds hidden damage after teardown.

Important: Don’t rush into repairs before the insurer has documented the damage (unless it’s an emergency safety fix). If you need to move the vehicle to prevent additional damage, document the reason and keep receipts.

Step 5: Choose a Repair Shop (and Understand “Preferred” Shops)

Insurers often recommend a network or “preferred” body shop. Using one can streamline the process, but you still want quality work. Ask any shop (preferred or not) how they handle supplements, warranties, parts sourcing, and post-repair scanning/calibration for safety systems.

In some situations, the insurance company might require extra steps if you pick a shop outside their network (for example, additional documentation or separate approvals). Your insurer might also tell you to repair the vehicle at a certain repair shop—so it’s smart to read your policy and ask what’s required in your specific claim.

Step 6: Understand the Estimate, Deductible, and Payment

After the inspection, the insurer will approve an amount based on their estimate. If you’re using collision or comprehensive coverage, you’ll generally pay your deductible.

Payment timing: Some insurers pay you directly; others pay the shop; sometimes the check is made out to you and the shop (and may include a lienholder if you have a loan).
Supplements are normal: If hidden damage is found, the shop submits a supplemental estimate to the insurer for approval.
Total loss is possible: If repair costs get too high compared to the vehicle’s value, the claim may switch to a total loss settlement. If you owe more than the settlement amount, gap insurance coverage may help (if you have it).

Step 7: Follow a Simple Checklist to Keep the Claim Moving

Here’s the process broken down into practical, do-this-next steps:

Report vehicle damage promptly. Use the method your insurer prefers (phone, online portal, or app).
If another driver was involved, exchange insurance information and take photos of their license plate and insurance card.
Let the insurer document the damage before you take your vehicle to the repair shop for full repairs (emergency safety fixes are the exception).
Protect the vehicle from further loss when you reasonably can. Insurers generally expect you to prevent avoidable additional damage. For example, if a window is broken, covering it can help prevent damage to the interior.
Keep all receipts (towing, storage, rental, parts, temporary repairs) and share them with the adjuster.
If the repairs are not done properly, contact the shop and your adjuster right away and document the issues with photos.
Reply quickly to requests from the insurer (statements, photos, estimates, repair authorization). Delays often happen when paperwork is missing.

FAQs on Getting Car Repairs Through Insurance

Do I have to use the body shop my insurance company recommends?

Not necessarily. Insurers often recommend preferred or in-network shops to streamline the process, but you can usually choose the repair shop you trust. If you go out of network, the insurer may require additional documentation or may only approve rates they consider reasonable—so ask what changes (if anything) in the process.

When do I pay my deductible for repairs?

In most collision or comprehensive claims, you pay the deductible to the repair shop when you pick up the car. If the other driver’s insurer is paying (a third-party claim), there’s usually no deductible—but fault investigations can take longer.

Why did the repair cost increase after the shop started work?

Hidden damage is common. The insurer’s initial estimate is often based on what’s visible. After teardown, the shop may find additional damaged parts and submit a supplemental estimate (“supplement”) to the insurer for approval. This is normal in many claims.

How long will insurance-covered repairs take?

It depends on the damage severity, parts availability, and the shop’s schedule. Minor repairs might take a few days, while major collision repairs can take weeks—especially if the vehicle needs specialized parts, calibration, or multiple supplement approvals.

Can I request OEM (original manufacturer) parts?

Sometimes. Policies and state rules vary, and many insurers default to aftermarket, remanufactured, or recycled parts when appropriate. If you want OEM parts, ask the adjuster and the shop what’s allowed under your policy and whether you’d need to pay the difference.

What happens if the insurance company says my car is a total loss?

If the cost to repair approaches the vehicle’s value (or hits a state total-loss threshold), the insurer may declare it a total loss and offer a settlement based on the vehicle’s actual cash value. If you have a loan and owe more than the settlement, gap coverage (if you have it) may help.

What if the repairs aren’t done correctly after an insurance claim?

Tell the shop and your adjuster right away, document the issues with photos, and request a re-inspection if needed. Many shops provide a warranty on repairs, and insurers often have processes to resolve quality disputes—especially if the shop is part of a preferred network.

Final Word on Getting Repairs Done Through Your Insurer

If you follow the right steps after an accident, the repair process is usually straightforward: open the claim, document the damage, get an estimate, choose a shop, and let the shop and adjuster handle supplements and approvals.

If the company is delaying, disputing damage, or communication is breaking down, keep everything in writing and escalate through your adjuster’s supervisor or the claims department. If needed, you can also reference your options for when an insurer won’t pay or is stalling.

Finally, check your policy for helpful add-ons. For example, rental reimbursement coverage can pay for a rental car while your vehicle is in the shop—so you can keep living your life while the repairs get finished.

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