Filing an auto insurance claim is something no one wants to do and that many drivers view as a necessary evil. When it does happen, it is important to know the process and when you can expect to receive compensation for an accident.
To file a car insurance claim itself should take merely minutes. Once injuries have received medical attention and police have been spoken to (if applicable), you should call your insurance provider as soon as possible. You can typically file an auto insurance claim over the phone or online in a few minutes.
However, the rest of the process may take longer.
Have the Right Information
To ensure that you help speed the process along, you should have the correct information regarding the accident at the ready. This includes the insurance information and vehicle information of all drivers involved as well as the circumstances of an accident. If a police report was filed, this can be used by the insurer to help calculate how much compensation you may receive after an accident depending on fault.
When is an Auto Insurance Claim Approved?
An auto insurance claim should generally be approved relatively quickly as long as there are no complications or inconsistencies when it comes to the accident. Auto insurance claims will only be approved if the circumstances of the accident itself is covered under your auto insurance policy.
If you get into a wreck with an uninsured motorist and do not have uninsured motorist coverage, for example, you may not be able to receive compensation through an auto insurance claim. Be sure to check your policy and make sure you have the right amount of coverage. Insurers recommend that most drivers carry full coverage auto insurance in order to fully protect their vehicle.
When Does Car Insurance Pay Out?
In some states, there are mandates for how long an insurance provider can take to pay out compensation after a claim is approved. In many cases this is within 30 days of the approval, but this can vary depending on your location and the insurer.
Compensation will only be paid for approved claims. It is crucial for you to remain in contact with your insurance agent throughout the claims process up until compensation is paid. It should typically take only a few weeks for compensation to be paid once a claim as been approved.