How to File a Car Insurance Claim and Get Your Repair Paid

How insurance pays for car repairs after you file a claim

When you file a claim with your insurance company, they assign an adjuster to inspect the damage, estimate the repair cost, and decide whether the damage is covered under your policy. If it is covered, the insurer pays the repair shop directly, pays you, or gives you a check to take wherever you choose — the method depends on your insurer and the type of claim. The entire process typically takes one to three weeks from the time you file until you receive payment.

The key to getting paid is reporting the damage quickly, providing photos and a police report (if applicable), and choosing a repair shop. Your insurer will not pay for repairs you have already completed without their approval, so do not authorize work before the adjuster has seen the vehicle.

Key Takeaways

• Report the damage to your insurance company within a few days of the incident, and provide your policy number, the date and location of the damage, and photos if you have them.
• The insurance adjuster will inspect your vehicle, estimate repair costs, and determine coverage based on your policy type and deductible.
• If the damage is covered, you can choose your own repair shop in most states, and the insurer will either pay the shop directly or issue you a check.
• Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance covers the rest, and it applies to collision and comprehensive claims but not liability claims.
• If you disagree with the adjuster's estimate, you can request a second opinion, hire an independent appraiser, or file a dispute with your state insurance commissioner.

Steps to file a claim and start the payment process

Call your insurance company's claims line as soon as possible after the damage occurs. Have your policy number ready, and be prepared to describe what happened, when it happened, where it happened, and whether anyone else was involved. The representative will open a claim file and assign an adjuster to your case.

Take photos of the damage from multiple angles before you move the vehicle or have any repairs done. If the damage was caused by an accident, a theft, or vandalism, file a police report and get the report number — your insurer will ask for it. If another vehicle was involved, collect the other driver's name, phone number, address, insurance company, and policy number.

The adjuster will contact you to schedule an inspection, usually within one to three business days. During the inspection, the adjuster will photograph the damage, measure it, and write an estimate for repairs. You can be present during this inspection and point out any damage you see. After the inspection, the adjuster sends the estimate to the repair shop or to you, depending on your insurer's process.

What your deductible means and how it affects your payout

Your deductible is the amount of money you agree to pay toward repairs before your insurance pays the rest. Common deductibles are $250, $500, $1,000, and $2,500. If your repair estimate is $3,000 and your deductible is $500, you pay $500 and insurance pays $2,500.

Deductibles explore to collision claims (damage from hitting another vehicle or object) and comprehensive claims (damage from theft, weather, vandalism, or animals). Deductibles do not explore to liability claims, which pay for damage you cause to someone else's vehicle or property — the other person's insurance or your liability coverage pays for that repair.

If the repair cost is less than your deductible, you pay the full cost yourself and insurance pays nothing. For example, if your deductible is $1,000 and the repair is $800, you are responsible for the entire $800.

Choosing a repair shop and authorizing the work

In most states, you have the right to choose your own repair shop, even if your insurance company has a preferred network. Your insurer cannot force you to use a specific shop, though they may offer a discount if you do. Ask your insurer for a list of preferred shops in your area, or choose a shop you trust.

Once you have chosen a shop, give the adjuster's estimate to the repair shop and ask them to review it. If the shop believes the estimate is too low, they can contact the adjuster to negotiate or request a supplement. Do not authorize the shop to begin work until the adjuster has approved the estimate and you have agreed to pay your deductible.

Some insurers pay the repair shop directly once the estimate is approved. Others issue a check to you, and you pay the shop. A few insurers issue a check to both you and the shop jointly, which means you both have to sign it before the shop can cash it. Ask your adjuster which method your insurer uses.

What happens if the repair estimate seems too low

If you or your repair shop believe the adjuster's estimate does not cover all the damage, ask the shop to provide a written estimate of their own. The shop can send this estimate to the adjuster, who will review it and either increase the original estimate or explain why they believe their estimate is accurate.

If the adjuster and the shop cannot agree, you can hire an independent appraiser to inspect the vehicle and provide a third estimate. Some insurance policies include appraisal clauses that outline how to resolve disputes over repair costs. Check your policy or call your insurer to learn whether appraisal is an option.

If you remain unsatisfied with the outcome, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner or department of insurance. These agencies investigate disputes between policyholders and insurers and can order the insurer to pay if they find the insurer acted unfairly.

How to handle a total loss claim

If the repair cost exceeds 70 to 80 percent of your vehicle's value (the exact threshold varies by state and insurer), your insurer may declare the vehicle a total loss. In this case, the insurer pays you the actual cash value of the vehicle, minus your deductible, rather than paying for repairs.

The adjuster determines the actual cash value by researching similar vehicles in your area using tools like NADA Guides or Kelley Blue Book. If you disagree with this valuation, you can provide your own valuation from a trusted source and ask the adjuster to reconsider. Some insurers will negotiate the value if you present evidence that comparable vehicles are selling for more.

Once the insurer pays you for a total loss, the vehicle belongs to the insurance company. You must surrender the title and keys. If you want to keep the vehicle, you can negotiate with the insurer to reduce the payout by the salvage value, though this is uncommon.

What to do if your claim is denied

Your insurer may deny a claim if the damage is not covered under your policy, if you did not pay your premium, or if the insurer believes you caused the damage intentionally. Common reasons for denial include driving without collision or comprehensive coverage, allowing your policy to lapse, or filing a claim for wear and tear rather than sudden damage.

If your claim is denied, the insurer must provide a written explanation of why. Read this explanation carefully and check your policy to see whether the denial is correct. If you believe the denial is wrong, call your insurer and ask them to reconsider. You can also request a copy of the adjuster's report and the photos they took.

If your insurer still refuses to pay, you can file a complaint with your state insurance commissioner, hire an attorney, or pursue arbitration if your policy includes an arbitration clause. Before taking legal action, consider whether the repair cost justifies the time and expense of a dispute.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get paid after I file a claim?

Most claims are resolved within one to three weeks from the time you file. The adjuster typically inspects the vehicle within one to three business days, and the insurer sends payment within a few days after that. Complex claims or disputes over repair costs may take longer.

Can I choose any repair shop I want?

Yes, in most states you have the right to choose your own repair shop. Your insurer cannot require you to use a specific shop, though they may offer a discount if you use a preferred shop. The shop you choose must be licensed and insured.

What if the repair shop finds additional damage after starting work?

If the shop discovers damage that the adjuster did not include in the original estimate, they can request a supplement. The shop sends photos and a written description of the additional damage to the adjuster, who inspects it and decides whether to approve additional payment. Do not authorize the shop to repair damage beyond the approved estimate without the adjuster's approval.

Do I have to pay my deductible before or after the repair?

This depends on your insurer and repair shop. Some shops collect your deductible when you drop off the vehicle. Others collect it when you pick up the vehicle. Ask the shop when they expect payment and whether they accept cash, check, or credit card.

What if I disagree with the adjuster's damage estimate?

You can ask your repair shop to provide their own written estimate and send it to the adjuster for review. If the adjuster and shop cannot agree, you can hire an independent appraiser or file a complaint with your state insurance commissioner. Some policies include appraisal clauses that outline the dispute process.