How do I file a comprehensive claim?

You can file a comprehensive claim by calling your insurance company or going on their website or mobile app promptly. You’ll need to give your insurer information about the incident and wait for an insurance adjuster to inspect your vehicle. It takes 30 days on average for your insurer to settle your claim, but the exact time frame depends on the severity of the damage and your state’s laws.

Comprehensive claims are filed when a covered vehicle is stolen or damaged by things other than a collision, like natural disasters, animals, or falling objects. Your insurer will pay for any damages after your claim is approved and  you’ve paid your deductible.

How to File a Comprehensive Claim

1. Notify Your Insurance Company

It’s best to contact your insurance company right away after an incident. Your insurance agent can advise you about whether the incident is covered and if you should follow through with the claim based on the information you provide them.

When you notify your insurer, provide the following information:

• Which covered vehicle was involved
• The location and time of the incident
• A basic description of the incident and the severity of the damage
• Evidence of the damage, including photographs and repair estimates

Note the name of the insurance agent or representative you’re speaking to as well as their direct phone number and the claim number they provide you.

2. File a Police Report, If Necessary

Filing a police report may not be necessary in most cases involving comprehensive claims, but it can expedite the claims process and is especially crucial if your car was stolen or vandalized. In some states, you may also be required to file a police report if you hit a domestic animal, like a dog or cat.

3. File a Comprehensive Claim

You can file a claim by phone, online, or from your insurance company’s mobile app, if applicable. When you file a comprehensive claim, include when and where the incident occurred, photos of the damage, and the police report if you filed one. Filing a claim on the insurer’s website or mobile app gives you the ability to easily check the status of your claim, upload photos of damage, and reserve a rental car.

4. Wait for an Insurance Adjuster’s Report

Once you file your claim, your insurance company will assign an adjuster to your claim, which is someone who investigates and evaluates insurance claims. The insurance adjuster will ask you for additional information about the incident. The adjuster will then either inspect the damage to your vehicle or ask you to take the car to an approved repair shop for an inspection and an estimate of the repairs.

Ultimately, the adjuster will issue a report to your insurance company. Once the report is reviewed, your insurer will decide how much to pay for repairs or reimburse you if your car is declared a total loss.

5. Pay Your Deductible (for Repairs)

Once your insurance company approves your claim for repairs to your vehicle, they will either pay the repair shop directly or send you a check or direct deposit, minus the deductible, so you can pay for the repairs yourself. If your insurer pays the mechanic directly, you will have to pay your deductible to the mechanic.

Keep in mind that you’ll have to cover the repairs out of pocket if your car is still drivable and the repair costs don’t exceed your deductible. If your deductible is high, it may not be worth filing a comprehensive claim, even if the cost of the damage exceeds your deductible by a small margin.

6. Receive Payment for the Claim (Totaled Car)

If your vehicle is totaled by a covered incident or stolen and not recovered, your insurance company will reimburse you for the cost of your vehicle’s actual cash value, not including the deductible. After the insurance adjuster authorizes the final amount to pay you for your claim, you have to sign off on the offer.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guides on comprehensive insurance and filing an insurance claim.