How to File a Car Accident Claim
Where a car accident claim goesAs of October 20, 2026
- Report the crashPolice or DMV if your state requires it, then the insurers.
- Adjuster reviewThe adjuster checks coverage, fault and damage. Keep notes.
- Decision or offerThe insurer accepts, denies or offers. You can answer in writing.
- Payment or disputeSign a release and get paid, or use your coverage, complain or sue.
To file a car accident claim, report the crash to your own insurer by phone, app or online, and file with the other driver's insurer if that driver caused it. Below: each step, the deadlines, the claim lines of four large insurers, and what to do if the claim is denied or the damage exceeds the coverage.
How do you file a car accident claim?
Report the crash to your insurer by phone, app or online as soon as you can. If the other driver caused it, also file with that driver's insurer. Have the date, place, vehicles, damage and the other driver's insurance details ready.
The NAIC, the national group of state insurance regulators, says to call the number on your insurance card as soon as possible. Many insurers also take claims in their apps. State Farm asks for the date and time, the vehicles involved, a description of the incident and the damage, and the location.
- Your own insurer: tell it about the crash even if you were not at fault. Progressive says its customers are technically required to report a claim either way, and Allstate's policy requires notice right away.
- The other driver's insurer: this is a third-party claim. Texas regulators say to file it, let your own insurer know, and send the other insurer the police report if police came.
- Keep a record: write down the claim number. The NAIC says to note the name and contact details of everyone you talk to at insurers, adjusters and repair shops.
In California, the insurer must acknowledge your claim and start investigating within 15 calendar days (10 CCR § 2695.5), and accept or deny it within 40 days after proof of claim (§ 2695.7). These rules protect third-party claimants too.
Should you file with your insurance or the other driver's?
Either works. A claim against the at-fault driver's insurer costs no deductible, but that company has to accept fault first. Your own collision coverage pays your repairs minus the deductible, and your insurer then tries to recover the money. Tell your own insurer either way.
Their insurer (third-party claim). GEICO says the at-fault driver's liability coverage should pay your vehicle repairs, medical expenses and other losses. Texas regulators warn that you have no contract with that company, so you have fewer options. It may say its driver wasn't at fault, blame both drivers, or say its driver doesn't have enough insurance.
Your insurer (first-party claim). If the other company won't pay, file with your own. Texas regulators note this requires collision coverage. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage pays if the at-fault driver had no insurance or too little. Your insurer tries to recover what it paid, and you might get your deductible back. Progressive says it can't promise that.
No-fault states. There you typically turn to your own insurer first, whoever caused the crash. Your policy covers your own medical expenses up to its limits.
How long after a car accident can you file a claim?
Tell the insurers right away, since most set deadlines for reporting. For a claim against the other driver, the real cutoff is your state's deadline to sue: for injuries, two years in California and Florida, three in New York. Government agencies have their own deadlines.
- Insurer notice: Allstate's policy requires notice right away, and Texas regulators say most insurers have deadlines for filing claims. GEICO says the time limit varies by state, insurer and claim type.
- Warning in California: an insurer that may rely on a deadline to deny your claim must warn you in writing at least 60 days before it runs out. That rule does not apply if a lawyer represents you on the claim.
- Government vehicles: in California, an injury claim against a public entity must be presented within six months (Gov. Code § 911.2). A claim against the federal government must be presented in writing to the agency within two years (28 U.S.C. § 2401). If the agency doesn't decide within six months, you may treat that as a final denial and go to court.
Can you file a claim without a police report?
Yes. Insurers take claims without a police report, though a report helps them decide fault. But some states, such as California and New York, require your own written report to the DMV after crashes with injuries or larger damage, even if no officer came.
GEICO asks for police report details when you have them, but says you can still report the claim without them. It weighs statements, photos and police reports when it decides fault. If police did come, get a copy and send it to the insurer.
Reporting rules in four large states:
- California: injury, death, or more than $1,000 of damage to one person's property: report to the DMV within 10 days on form SR 1, whether or not you caused the crash (Vehicle Code § 16000). With injuries, a written report to the California Highway Patrol or city police is also due within 24 hours (§ 20008).
- Texas: injury, death, or a car that can't be driven normally and safely: notify the local police or sheriff immediately (Transportation Code § 550.026). An investigating officer must write a report for injury, death or apparent damage of $1,000 or more (§ 550.062).
- New York: injury, death, or more than $1,000 of damage to one person's property: a written report to the DMV within 10 days (Vehicle and Traffic Law § 605).
- Florida: injury, death, or apparent damage of at least $2,000 (since October 1, 2026): notify police immediately (§ 316.065). If no police report is required, send the state a written report within 10 days (§ 316.066).
After a hit-and-run, call the police promptly, the NAIC says. California regulators note that most policies require police notice within a set time, and Texas regulators say uninsured motorist coverage won't pay for a hit-and-run you didn't report.
What should you not say to an insurance adjuster?
Don't admit fault, don't guess, and don't sign anything about fault. Stick to what you saw and what your records show. Don't sign a release until you know what treatment you still need. The other driver's adjuster works for that insurer.
Insurers tell their own customers the same. Progressive: don't admit fault. GEICO: never claim fault, because legal liability is decided only after the adjuster's investigation. State Farm: don't make voluntary payments, obligations or admissions of fault. California regulators add: don't sign statements about fault or promise to pay for the other side's damage.
- Recorded statements: your own insurer may take a written or recorded statement, and California regulators say to cooperate with your insurer's adjusters. The other driver's insurer may also ask you for an interview. You have no contract with that company.
- Conflicting stories: when accounts differ, GEICO interviews each person in depth. Calm, factual answers help you there.
- The release: signing it ends further claims for the accident. Texas regulators say to talk to your doctor about future treatment first.
- Notes: write down who you spoke with and when.
What happens when a claim exceeds the insurance limits?
The at-fault driver's insurer pays only up to the policy limit. Above it, you can use your own underinsured motorist coverage if you have it; the at-fault driver is personally responsible for the rest. California's minimum is just $30,000 for one injured person.
- Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage: it steps in when the other driver doesn't have enough insurance. Rules differ by state. In California, a car counts as underinsured only if its liability limit is below your own uninsured motorist limit. UIM starts after the at-fault driver's liability limits are paid out, and pays at most your UIM limit minus what you already received from that side (Insurance Code § 11580.2).
- Medical bills: Texas regulators say that if the other driver's limits don't cover them, file with your own auto insurer (PIP, medical payments or UIM) or your health insurer.
- The driver personally: anyone found legally responsible for more than their insurance covers pays the difference out of pocket, says the Insurance Information Institute. You can sue the driver for it.
The table shows each state's minimum liability coverage.
Minimum liability insurance by state (per person / per accident / property)
| State | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000 |
| Alaska | $50,000 / $100,000 / $25,000 |
| Arizona | $25,000 / $50,000 / $15,000 |
| Arkansas | $25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000 |
| California | $30,000 / $60,000 / $15,000 |
| Colorado | $25,000 / $50,000 / $15,000 |
| Connecticut | $25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000 |
| District of Columbia | $25,000 / $50,000 / $10,000 |
| Delaware | $25,000 / $50,000 / $10,000 |
| Florida | no required bodily injury liability coverage — only $10,000 PIP and $10,000 property damage liability |
| Georgia | $25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000 |
| Hawaii | $40,000 / $80,000 / $20,000 |
| Idaho | $25,000 / $50,000 / $15,000 |
| Illinois | $25,000 / $50,000 / $20,000 |
| Indiana | $25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000 |
| Iowa | $20,000 / $40,000 / $15,000 |
| Kansas | $25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000 |
| Kentucky | $25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000 |
| Louisiana | $15,000 / $30,000 / $25,000 |
| Maine | $50,000 / $100,000 / $25,000 |
| Maryland | $30,000 / $60,000 / $15,000 |
| Massachusetts | $25,000 / $50,000 / $30,000 |
| Michigan | 250/500/10 by default, or as low as 50/100/10 if you choose it in writing |
| Minnesota | $30,000 / $60,000 / $10,000 |
| Mississippi | $25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000 |
| Missouri | $25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000 |
| Montana | $25,000 / $50,000 / $20,000 |
| Nebraska | $25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000 |
| Nevada | $25,000 / $50,000 / $20,000 |
| New Hampshire | no mandatory auto insurance — but any policy you buy must carry at least 25/50/25 plus uninsured motorist coverage |
| New Jersey | $35,000 / $70,000 / $25,000 |
| New Mexico | $25,000 / $50,000 / $10,000 |
| New York | $25,000 / $50,000 / $10,000 |
| North Carolina | $50,000 / $100,000 / $50,000 |
| North Dakota | $25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000 |
| Ohio | $25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000 |
| Oklahoma | $25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000 |
| Oregon | $25,000 / $50,000 / $20,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $15,000 / $30,000 / $5,000 |
| Rhode Island | $25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000 |
| South Carolina | $25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000 |
| South Dakota | $25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000 |
| Tennessee | $25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000 |
| Texas | $30,000 / $60,000 / $25,000 |
| Utah | $30,000 / $65,000 / $25,000 |
| Vermont | $25,000 / $50,000 / $10,000 |
| Virginia | $50,000 / $100,000 / $25,000 |
| Washington | $25,000 / $50,000 / $10,000 |
| West Virginia | $25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000 |
| Wisconsin | $25,000 / $50,000 / $10,000 |
| Wyoming | $25,000 / $50,000 / $20,000 |
From the state insurance codes, checked October 2026. Many drivers carry more than the minimum.
How do you file a GEICO car accident claim?
Call GEICO at 1-800-841-3000, use the GEICO Mobile app, or file on GEICO's online claim form. If the at-fault driver has GEICO and you don't, the same form has an option for people who had an incident with a GEICO customer.
The online form first asks who is reporting. For GEICO customers, the report starts with the state, the date and time, and a short description. You can file even without police report details. A GEICO claim examiner then calls to explain next steps and set up a damage inspection.
When an accident is reported, GEICO assigns a liability examiner to investigate. Where accounts conflict, the examiner interviews each person in depth. GEICO says it will re-examine its decision if new information comes in.
How do you file a State Farm car accident claim?
Call State Farm at 1-800-732-5246, day or night, use the State Farm app, or file online. Not a State Farm customer? The State Farm claims page has a separate entry for claims for non-customers.
Start on the State Farm claims page. Have the date and time, the vehicles involved, a description of the incident and the damage, and the location ready.
When someone makes a claim against a State Farm customer, State Farm says it investigates the allegations. Subject to the policy, it pays the claims its customer is legally liable for.
How do you file a Progressive or Allstate claim?
Progressive: call 1-800-776-4737, use the app, or file online; non-customers can file online as a guest. Allstate: customers file in My Account or the Allstate app; non-customers call 1-800-255-7828.
Progressive tells drivers to stay at the scene, not admit fault, call the police and exchange information, then report the accident. It says it resolves many property damage claims within 7 to 14 days, though repair times vary.
Allstate customers start a claim in My Account or the Allstate app. Customers and non-customers can both track a claim in My Account.
How much is my car accident claim worth?
It depends on your vehicle damage, medical bills, lost wages and pain, and on how much coverage the at-fault driver has. Of 60,783 paid car accident claims we analyzed, half paid $5,000 or less.
Our figures cover paid car accident claims against the federal government (U.S. Judgment Fund), New York City and Chicago, 2009–2026. These are public payers, not insurers, and the totals include claims for property damage only.
- Federal vehicle crashes settled without a lawsuit: median $5,608 (33,508 claims).
- Settled after a lawsuit was filed: median $37,000 (2,424 claims). Part of the gap is selection: serious cases are more likely to be sued.
- The NAIC average bodily injury liability claim nationwide was $28,919 in 2022.
What if my car accident claim is denied?
Ask for the reason in writing and answer it with evidence. If the other driver's insurer still refuses, file with your own coverage, complain to your state insurance department, or go to court. You don't have to accept a payment you think is unfair.
- Get it in writing. In California, an insurer that denies a third-party claim, or disputes fault or damages, must do so in writing. The letter must say you can have the matter reviewed by the California Department of Insurance. Texas regulators say to ask for the reason in detail and in writing.
- Use your own coverage. Collision coverage pays your repairs if the other company won't. Your insurer then tries to collect from it.
- Ask the regulator. California: file a Request for Assistance online or by mail (1-800-927-4357); improper denials and delays are among the issues it handles. Texas: complaints must be in writing (1-800-252-3439), and the other driver's insurer must then write back explaining its denial. The Texas Department of Insurance can't decide who was at fault.
- Go to court. In Texas, claims under $20,000 can go to Justice Court, where you don't need a lawyer. For larger claims, the limit is your state's deadline to sue.
California also bars insurers from trying to settle with an unreasonably low offer.
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Sources
- GEICO: What to Do After a Car Accident
- GEICO: Report a Claim (online form)
- State Farm: Car Accident Claims
- Progressive: Claims
- Progressive: Claims FAQ
- Allstate: Auto and Motorcycle Claims
- California Vehicle Code § 16000
- Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 550
- New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 605
- Florida Statutes § 316.065 (2026)
- Cal. Code Regs. tit. 10, § 2695.7
- California Insurance Code § 11580.2
- California Department of Insurance: So You've Had an Accident
- Texas Department of Insurance: Automobile Insurance Guide
- Texas Department of Insurance: Dealing With the Other Driver's Insurance
- NAIC: What You Should Know About Filing an Auto Claim
- Settlement Insight analysis of 60,783 paid car accident claims (U.S. Treasury Judgment Fund, New York City Comptroller and City of Chicago records), 2009–2026.
About This Information
Editorially Reviewed — Content reviewed for accuracy using published legal research, government data, and verified court records. See our methodology. Reviewed by Leonard Goldberg, Editor · Last updated - $236 billion in real payouts analyzed · See what we found
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