What is the basic process for car insurance claims?
4 Answers
First, call to report the incident, promptly inform the on-duty traffic police or the traffic management department of the public security authority. If there is no dispute over the facts and causes, you can leave the scene. In the event of a traffic accident, the vehicle driver should immediately stop the car, protect the scene, and preserve evidence. Actively assist the insurance company in completing necessary tasks such as vehicle inspection, photography, and damage assessment. Learn from the traffic management department about the extent of your responsibility in the accident. The insurance company confirms the claim, and the claims adjuster issues a work order specifying the repair items and time.
Last time my car got rear-ended on the road, fortunately I had checked the insurance procedures beforehand. The first step is to ensure safety - after stopping the car, turn on the hazard lights, get out to check if anyone is injured, and call 110 to report to the police if necessary. Then collect information by taking photos of the other party's license plate and driver's license, and it's best to use your phone to photograph the accident scene and damaged parts, which makes it easier for the insurance company to verify. Next, immediately contact your insurance company to report the accident, providing details about the incident, location, and time - they will give you a claim number. After that, submit required materials such as copies of your driver's license, accident photos, and repair invoices, which can be uploaded through their app or submitted at a service center. The insurance company will arrange for an assessor to inspect the vehicle's damage and determine the compensation amount. Once approved, take the car to a repair shop - typically the claims department will directly pay the repair shop or deposit money into your account. The whole process usually takes one to two weeks, but don't forget to regularly check your policy status to avoid affecting future premiums. My experience tells me that learning more about auto insurance knowledge in advance can save a lot of trouble.
I previously handled a minor scrape accident and felt the insurance claim process was quite efficient. First, ensure safety and promptly move the vehicle to prevent secondary accidents. Take down the other party's contact number and insurance company name, then mutually agree on liability and take photos for evidence. Contact your own insurance company to report the incident—many now use WeChat mini-programs where entering accident details automatically registers the claim. When submitting the claim, prepare your ID, policy, and repair estimate; usually, uploading via an app suffices. The insurance company will send an adjuster to assess the actual loss amount, and if reasonable, approve the payout. My lesson is to report early for quicker resolution—don’t delay until documents expire. Choosing their partnered repair shops may speed up compensation with transparent costs. Remember to stay calm while driving; handling incidents calmly ensures a smoother process.
When I was a novice, I had an accident and was extremely nervous, but quickly figured out the process. First, park the car, call the police to ensure safety, take photos and gather information, then call the insurance company. Submit the required documents, wait for damage assessment and compensation, and once the car is repaired, it's basically over. The key is to act promptly without delay, and learn from each experience to prevent future issues.