How To File an Accident Claim

Accidents can be stressful, but filing a claim doesn’t have to be. We’ve outlined the five essential steps to take after a car accident, so you can get back on the road as quickly and easily as possible.
Author:
Lily DiGregorio
Lily DiGregorio,Staff copywriter
Lily DiGregorio
Staff copywriter specializing in auto and home insurance for The Hartford.
Reviewed By:
Ben Ewbank
Ben Ewbank,Head of Personal Lines State Product and Pricing
Ben Ewbank
Head of Personal Lines State Product and Pricing at The Hartford.
LinkedIn Profile
Updated: 02/09/2026
Read Time: 11 minutes
customers know how to file an accident claim from The Hartford
Quote Today
Start Quote
 
Accidents happen, even to the safest drivers. If you haven’t filed an auto accident claim before, it may seem like a lot to navigate. At The Hartford, we’re here 24/7 to guide you on how to file an accident claim, so you can feel prepared every step of the way. We’ll help you understand what a car insurance claim is, when to file one and what to expect throughout the process.
 

How To File an Accident Claim in 5 Easy Steps

If you’re unsure how to make an accident claim, we’re here to help. Use these step-by-step tips to guide you through the car accident claim procedure. And if you do need to make a car insurance claim, it’s nice to know that with AARP® Auto Insurance from The Hartford,1 you’ll have someone working for you 24/7 to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible.
 

1. Contact Your Insurance Company To Report an Auto Insurance Claim

 
After ensuring everyone’s safety, you’ll want to contact your insurer to make them aware of the accident and to file a claim. The earlier in the process you do this the better, as it can help save you time and hassle down the road.
 
No matter what, you can always reach The Hartford by phone or online, where our representatives can help you file a claim. Once you’ve reported your claim, they’ll start working to resolve it as quickly and smoothly as possible.
 
There are several ways to contact us and file a car insurance claim. You can call 877-805-9918 to report an auto claim 24/7. You can also report a car accident claim online. Here are three of the most common types of online car insurance claims:
 
Tip:
When calling for help, it can be helpful to get the badge number of the police officer at the scene in case you need to contact them directly. In some cases, you may be asked to provide a recorded statement.
 

2. Review Your Policy’s Coverage and Deductibles

A key part of the auto insurance claims process is to fully understand your insurance coverage. Be sure to review your policy carefully, so you know what to expect.
 
You’ll want to know things like:
 
  • How long you have to submit a claim
  • Your deductible amount
  • How the claim might impact your premium
  • If your coverage includes rental reimbursement
  • What to do if no other vehicles are involved
  • How to contact the other driver’s insurance company if they’re at fault
  • Other important details about your policy
For example, even if you have full coverage car insurance, you may have only bought enough to meet state requirements rather than opting to carry more coverage to help extend your protection. It's also important to understand your collision insurance, which helps cover the replacement or repair costs for your car if you’re in an accident with other vehicles involved, property or an object like a fence or a tree. This is different from comprehensive coverage, which covers incidents involving theft, vandalism, hitting an animal, falling objects and natural disasters. You may also want to check if you have medical payment coverage to help cover medical expenses from an accident.
Note:
If you’re looking for coverage to help replace lost wages resulting from an accident, you’ll want to consider  Personal Injury Protection (PIP) car insurance coverage.
 

3. Work With Your Insurance Adjuster

After you report your car accident, a personal claims representative will be assigned to help make the auto accident insurance claim process as simple as possible. Your insurance adjuster will help document the details of the incident and may ask you about:
 
  • Injuries
  • Witnesses
  • Property damage
  • Vehicle damage
Be sure to provide as much information as you can to ensure they understand the full story of what happened. They will also confirm your contact details so they can reach you directly by phone when necessary.
male driver submitting a car crash insurance claim

4. Capture and Submit Photos

Your personal claims rep may ask you to take and share photos of your vehicle using The Hartford’s online tool. These photos help kickstart the process of documenting the accident. If it’s a covered damage, insurance will help pay for repairs or replacements.

5. Track Your Car Insurance Claim

While your claim is being worked on, we’ll contact you along the way so you know exactly where you are in the process. You can also access your claim online to track your progress yourself.
 
We’re here to help and want to make the claims process easy for you. If you ever have questions or want to know what to expect next, from the repair process to final payments, you can contact your claims representative. Likewise, you can check the status and track your auto claim online anytime.
customer takes a photo with their phone because they know how to make an accident claim

Do You Always Need To File a Claim?

No, you don’t always need to file a car insurance claim, but it’s important to understand the risks if you choose not to. You may decide not to file a claim with your insurance provider if the repairs are less than your insurance deductible. In that case, be aware that it’ll be your responsibility to pay out of pocket.

Services To Get You Back on the Road

We understand that accidents can be stressful, which is why our first priority is to make the claims process as simple as possible. If you need to file a claim, car insurance accident benefits for AARP members are available to help get you back on the road, including:

Auto Repair Network

Use one of our preferred repair shops, and we will back their workmanship for as long as you own or lease your vehicle. We’ll even help you locate the best auto repair shop for your car.

Hear What Customers Say About The Hartford’s Auto Claims Service

We’ve earned a reputation for integrity and trust. That’s why our customers have consistently given us high ratings for our car insurance claim service.*
 
Read our customer reviews and see what they think about our program, claims experience and customer service.
quote 1
“The Hartford is an excellent auto insurance company that took care of every aspect of our claim. … Thank you, The Hartford, for making what could have been a terrible experience into one that was very tolerable!”
 
Michael
review 1
quote 2
“I was very satisfied with The Hartford insurance company concerning my claim. I would highly recommend this company to anyone for their excellent customer service.”
 
Christina
review 1
quote 3
“I am very satisfied with the assistance that I received from the claims agent.  Phone calls were returned in a timely manner. My claims agent was very knowledgeable and understanding.”
 
Martha
review 1
quote 4
“I had an accident that was my fault. The Hartford claims people were very kind and compassionate over the phone. The settlement for my totaled car was fair and prompt. Thank you, The Hartford.”
 
Leeta
review 1
quote 5
“This was the first claim that I have filed in over 30 years. My experience was positive. The staff was timely and efficient. Very businesslike.”
 
Jimmy
review 1
quote 6
“I had a small accident and spent a lot of time criticizing myself for doing something that was very ‘stupid.’  The claims agent was very nice and reassured me that they are there for that reason, and that's why they call it an accident!”
 
Antonio
review 1

Frequently Asked Questions About How To File an Accident Claim

A car insurance claim is an official report you submit to your carrier after an accident in order to receive your insurance benefits. After it’s filed, they can begin investigating the incident and get you on the road to recovery.
Car insurance claims should be filed, whether the accident was your fault, a hit-and-run or an accident with an uninsured motorist. When you report a claim, your insurance company will review your documentation, such as pictures from the accident scene, statements from passengers or a police report. Then, if it’s a covered loss on your policy, you’ll receive payment. By filing a claim, your insurance premium may go up, depending on the severity of the accident.
Car insurance claims may affect your premium. There are several factors to calculate insurance rates and car accidents are one of them. Depending on the type of claim, your insurance premium may increase after reporting an incident, especially if the accident:
 
  • Was severe
  • Is not your first on your driving history
  • Resulted in a high payout
Ultimately, car insurance prices are complex and based on many factors. The best way to understand your exact price and what influences it is to contact your carrier directly.
After an accident, you should file an insurance claim almost immediately. First, be sure to check for injuries and call 911. After making sure everyone involved is safe, you should begin documenting the accident to prepare for filing the claim.
After a car accident, the five steps to file a claim are:
 
  1. Contact your insurance company to report the claim
  2. Ensure you know your policy’s coverage and deductibles
  3. Work with your insurance adjuster to answer any questions
  4. Capture and submit photos of the accident and damage
  5. Track your car insurance claim online or via phone until it’s completed
If you get into an accident that isn’t your fault, you will still file a claim and let the representative know the details of the accident so you can receive your insurance benefits.
 
You’ll also want to ensure you have underinsured/uninsured motorist bodily injury and property damage coverage to help pay for any injuries or damages caused from a hit-and-run driver crashing into your vehicle.
To file a car insurance claim against the other driver in an accident, you’ll follow the same steps as you would with any other car insurance claim. When submitting the details, be sure to mention what caused the accident, who was at fault and what injuries or damages were caused as a result. Your insurance company may offer additional advice or guidance for this process, depending on the specifics of the accident.
The four phases of the car insurance claim lifecycle are generally known as adjudication, submission, payment and processing.
 
  • Adjudication is when you submit your proof of loss documents to your insurance company, who will then determine payment.
  • The submission phase is where you will work with your representative in case anything additional is needed.
  • Lastly, the payment and processing phases go together, but processing is sometimes called out separately as a fourth and final phase, in case it takes a long time for payment to be received. This can sometimes happen, depending on the significance of the claim.
If the damage is minor, getting an estimate before filing a claim may help you decide whether you want to pay out of pocket or file an insurance claim.
Yes, if you file an insurance claim, you can choose to cancel it but only within a certain timeframe.

Related Articles

AARP® Auto Insurance
Quick Links
FAQs
For AARP® Members
Additional Resources
Summaries of coverages and policy features are for informational purposes only. In the event of loss, the actual terms and conditions set forth in your policy will determine your coverage.
 
AARP and its affiliates are not insurers. Paid endorsement. The Hartford pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP membership is required for Program eligibility in most states.
 
The AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155. It is underwritten in AZ, MI and MN by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast; in CA, by Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company; in WA, by Hartford Casualty Insurance Company; in MA, by Trumbull Insurance Company; and in PA, by Nutmeg Insurance Company and Twin City Fire Insurance Company. The AARP Home Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155. It is underwritten in AZ, MI and MN by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast; in CA by Property and Casualty Insurance Company of Hartford; in WA, by Trumbull Insurance Company; in MA, by Trumbull Insurance Company, Sentinel Insurance Company, Hartford Insurance Company of the Midwest, and Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company; and in PA, by Nutmeg Insurance Company. The Hartford does not write new Home business in all areas, including the states of CA and FL. Savings, benefits and coverages may vary and some applicants may not qualify. The Program is currently unavailable in Canada and U.S. Territories or possessions.
 
1 In Texas, the Auto Program is underwritten by Redpoint County Mutual Insurance Company through Hartford of the Southeast General Agency, Inc. Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates are not financially responsible for insurance products underwritten and issued by Redpoint County Mutual Insurance Company. The Home Program is underwritten by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast.
 
* Customer reviews are collected and tabulated by The Hartford and not representative of all customers.