the insurance and contact information of the other party involved
name of the police department involved and the police report number
When you are prepared, contact your insurance agent or company via phone or website and apply for a claim. Your insurance provider will cover the cost for repairs and injuries until they determine who is at fault—as long as you have the appropriate coverage, like
When looking for mechanics to work on your car, you can take your car to a body shop that your insurance company approves of. They will often share a list of shops they partner with in your area.
You can also work with your own mechanic outside of your insurance company’s network. If you choose your own repair shop, you might have to pay the difference between the shop’s estimate and what your insurer decides is a fair price.
Filing a claim can often increase your insurance premiums. If you feel your rate increases too much, try
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.