What is the property damage insurance claims process?The property damage insurance claims process typically involves reporting the damage to the insurance company, having an adjuster assess the damage, obtaining repair estimates, and receiving a payout from the insurance company to cover the cost of repairs or replacement.What is the property damage insurance claims process?

Did you have your first accident recently? One of the most frustrating parts of filing insurance claims is dealing with the technicalities of the claims process.

If you’re not sure what the process is, it can stress you out. Don’t worry – we’re here to show you how to handle property damage claims for car insurance.

Read our guide to learn about various types of property damage claims, why car insurance companies recommend higher coverage levels, and how property damage claims work for commercial businesses.

What is the property damage insurance claims process?

The property damage insurance claims process is a series of steps to get your car repaired through an insurance company. Each insurance company is different, but the claims process is the same for most companies.

Preferably, you should make car insurance claims over the phone, but you can also file them on an insurance company’s mobile app.

You’ll also need to know what type of property damage claim to file. For example, a driver at fault in a car accident can’t file a property damage liability insurance claim, but they can file a collision insurance claim.

How do you start the property damage insurance claims process?

You can start your property damage insurance claim by contacting your insurance company. However, a little more goes into the car insurance claim process.

Step 1 – Call Your Car Insurance Company

If you’re in an accident, you need to make a few phone calls. First, call law enforcement to mediate the accident. Police can establish who was at fault in a car accident and record the incident for the state authorities.

While you wait for the police, contact your insurance company and tell them you were in an accident. A representative will ask for your name, address, policy number, and driver’s license to verify your identity.

Step 2 – Identify Your Property Damage Insurance Claim

Police officers can issue a report showing which driver is at fault. If you were not at fault, you would need to file a liability insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

You’ll have to file a collision insurance claim if you were at fault. Comprehensive insurance covers accidents that don’t involve collisions.

Therefore, you’ll need to make a comprehensive coverage claim for incidents related to unforeseen accidents such as storms, floods, fires, animal damage, and vandalism.

Step 3 – Provide More Details to the Claims Agent

You’ll need to make copies of the police report, take photos of the property damage, and sign documents related to your claim.

Start looking for estimates after you follow up with the insurance company covering your property damage costs.

Step 4 – Get Repair Estimates

Most insurance companies require at least two estimates for property damage. To expedite the estimate process, go to a repair or body shop that frequently takes requests from your car insurance company.

Step 5 – Receive Your Property Damage Insurance Claim

After the insurance company approves the estimates, it will provide a claim check to you or the repair shop. The claim won’t be issued until the deductible, if any, is paid.

Property damage insurance claims don’t have a deductible through liability insurance, but collision and comprehensive coverage do.

The first payment you receive isn’t final. If it takes more to repair your vehicle, the insurance company will cut another check. However, the amount can’t exceed the coverage limit listed on yours or the at-fault driver’s policy.

Do you need a higher coverage level?

Property damage insurance claims have a limit. For example, if someone hits your car, their liability insurance will cover you, but if your damage was $28,000 and the at-fault driver has a $20,000 limit for property damage, you’ll be stuck paying the difference.

You can sue the other driver for the remaining balance, but there’s a way to avoid court battles.

Drivers can avoid this situation by raising their coverage limits above the minimum requirements when buying a car insurance policy. It costs more to increase your coverage level, but you won’t be insufficiently covered.

You can’t control what others do. Therefore, we recommend adding uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This protects you from incidents where you’re not at fault, the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance, or the driver doesn’t have an adequate coverage limit.

Is there a time limit for property damage insurance claims?

Yes, there is. The property damage claim time limit is often called the statute of limitations. Each state has a different length.

Let’s look at a complete list of the statute of limitations by state.

Statute of Limitations for Filing Property Damage Car Insurance Claims by State

Louisiana has the shortest property damage claim time limit, but Rhode Island’s limit lasts a decade.

These statutes also apply to the commercial property damage insurance claims process. We recommend that you file your insurance claims immediately.

Is the commercial property damage insurance claim process the same as personal car insurance?

No, it isn’t, but it’s similar. Commercial property damage claims go through the same steps, but the coverage amounts are much higher, and some claims move much faster.

Do property damage car insurance claims cover personal items?

No, they don’t. Car insurance follows the insured vehicle but not the driver or their personal items. You’ll need to purchase a separate insurance policy to cover your personal items, such as laptops or phones.

What are car insurance claim secret adjuster tactics?

Some believe that insurance adjusters are using methods and tricks to pay out as little as possible. It’s uncommon for a car insurance adjuster to try and manipulate the numbers to save money. However, adjusters are known to choose the cheapest of three estimates before a claim is paid out.

Case Studies: Property Damage Insurance Claims Process

Case Study 1: John’s Car Accident

John was involved in a car accident where he was rear-ended by another driver. The accident caused significant damage to the rear of John’s car. He immediately contacted his insurance company to report the incident and initiate the property damage insurance claim process.

The insurance company assigned an adjuster who assessed the damage and requested repair estimates from approved repair shops. After reviewing the estimates, the insurance company issued a claim check to cover the cost of repairs. John took his car to a repair shop recommended by his insurance company, and the repairs were completed successfully.

Case Study 2: Sarah’s Commercial Property Damage

Sarah owns a small business, and her commercial property recently suffered damage due to a severe storm. The storm caused roof leaks and water damage to the interior of her business premises. Sarah contacted her insurance company and filed a property damage insurance claim. The insurance company assigned an adjuster who inspected the property and documented the extent of the damage.

Sarah provided additional details, including photographs and repair estimates from reputable contractors. Once the claim was approved, the insurance company issued a claim check to cover the cost of repairs. Sarah hired a contractor to address the damages and restore her business property to its previous condition.

Case Study 3: Michael’s Coverage Limit Challenge

Michael was involved in an accident where his car sustained significant damage. The accident was caused by another driver who was at fault. However, the at-fault driver had a low coverage limit for property damage on their insurance policy. The repair estimates for Michael’s car exceeded the at-fault driver’s coverage limit, leaving Michael with a portion of the repair costs to cover.

Michael decided to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover the remaining balance. Through the legal process, Michael was able to secure the additional funds needed to fully cover the repairs.

Property Damage Insurance Claims Process: The Bottom Line

Property damage insurance claims are straightforward. The process can take a few weeks before anything is paid out to you.

That’s why we encourage drivers to opt out of receiving a paper check in the mail. Payments work much faster when sent electronically. Let your insurance company send your claim to the repair shop to avoid any complications.