Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

How do I get paid by my insurance company after a car accident?

I was in my first-ever accident yesterday, and I am a little freaked out. How do I make sure I receive money from my insurance company to pay for repairs from the accident?

avatar
Nick Kunze · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
We’re sorry to hear about your accident, but we’re glad you’re safe!
It can be a hassle to file a claim with your insurance company and get a payment, but here are some steps to make this as easy as possible.
First, make sure you document the accident as clearly as possible—take pictures of any damages and get the other driver’s insurance and contact information. You’ll also want to file a police report so there’s a record of the incident. Your insurance company will ask for any documentation.
Then, submit a claim to your insurance provider with as much information as possible. An adjuster will contact you to get information about the incident and will evaluate the damage. They will often recommend an approved body shop at which you can get your car repaired.
Be sure to submit all receipts to your insurance provider, so they can review it and authorize final payment. For particularly challenging situations, it could be worth hiring an accident attorney to help your case.
If you’re ever unhappy with your
car insurance
policy, it might be time to consider a switch. Turn to insurance broker
Jerry
for up to 50 personalized quotes from top providers. Jerry will take care of all of the hard work—like filing paperwork and canceling your old policy—so you don’t have to!
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings