What happens after I report a claim to my insurance carrier?

Acknowledge, assign adjuster, investigate, decide. Most carriers move within 7-30 days for routine claims.

Can I get multiple repair estimates after a property insurance claim?

Yes, you can and often should get more than one repair estimate after a property insurance claim. Multiple bids help verify that the adjuster's settlement figure reflects actual market costs, and your estimates can be shared directly with the adjuster to support a fair settlement.

Is RV insurance required in Georgia?

Yes for motorized RVs in Georgia (liability matches state auto minimums). Travel trailers borrow from the towing vehicle. Specialty RV coverage strongly recommended for physical damage and personal effects.

What is a deductible?

The amount you pay out of pocket on a covered claim before insurance pays the rest. Higher deductibles mean lower premiums.

How do I cancel my insurance policy?

Cancellation is a written request to the carrier with a specific date, usually 14 days notice. Most carriers refund unused premium pro rata. Never cancel before the new policy is in force.

General FAQs

What information do I need when calling my insurer after an accident?

All FAQs

Quick answer: Have your policy number, the date, time, and location of the accident, contact and insurance information for all parties involved, a description of what happened, and photos of the vehicles and scene if safely collected.

When you call your insurer after an accident, have your policy number, the date, time, and location of the crash, a description of what happened, and the other driver’s name, contact information, and insurance details ready. The more complete your information, the faster a claims representative can open your claim. Calling from the scene is fine once everyone is safe.

What is the first thing to locate before calling?

Your policy number is the starting point. Find it on your ID card, your insurer’s mobile app, or your declarations page, the summary document at the front of your policy packet that lists your coverages, limits, and effective dates. Without the policy number the claims line will still take your report, but the process starts faster with it in hand.

What information will the claims representative ask for?

Accident basics: the date, time, exact location, and a short, factual account of how it happened.
Other driver’s information: name, phone, address, insurance company, policy number, plus vehicle make, model, and license plate.
Vehicle and damage details: which areas are damaged and whether your car is drivable.
Witnesses and police: any witness names and contact information, and the police report number if officers responded.
Photos: pictures of the vehicles, the scene, and any visible injuries, which you can share with the adjuster later.

For example, after a rear-end collision in Cobb County, you stand safely off the road and call your claims line. You read off your policy number, give the intersection and time, share a photo of the other driver’s insurance card, mention one witness, and provide the police report number. The representative opens your claim in about ten minutes and explains the next steps for an estimate.

What should I say, and what should I avoid saying?

Stick to the facts when describing the crash. Do not guess at fault or speculate about what caused the accident. Report what you observed and what happened to your vehicle. The insurer’s claims adjuster, the person who investigates the claim and determines what the insurer owes, will establish responsibility based on evidence, statements, photos, and the police report.

How does my deductible factor into the claims process?

Your deductible is the amount you pay before your insurance covers the rest of a covered loss. If your deductible is $500 and the repair estimate is $3,200, your insurer pays $2,700. The adjuster will explain when and how your deductible applies depending on which coverage is handling the claim. For example, if the other driver is fully at fault and their liability insurance pays your repair bill, your own deductible may not apply at all.

What keeps a claim moving after the first call?

Respond promptly to the adjuster’s follow-up requests. Send photos quickly, get a repair estimate, and confirm where your vehicle is if it needs to be inspected. Delays in responding are the most common reason straightforward claims take longer than they should. Keeping a short checklist in your glovebox or phone notes makes this process easier under stress.

Knowing what your auto insurance covers before an accident removes guesswork at the worst possible moment. A free coverage review will walk through your coverages, limits, and deductibles so you know exactly where you stand before you ever need to make a call.