What is the process for filing a car insurance claim?
3 Answers
Here is the detailed process for filing a car insurance claim: 1. Reporting the Incident: Promptly call the nationwide unified customer service hotline of your auto insurance provider to report the incident. For example, "Pacific Insurance" uses 95500, "Taiping Insurance" uses 95589, or "Ping An Auto Insurance" allows online reporting through the "Ping An Good Driver" app. Insurance regulations stipulate that policyholders must report the incident within 48 hours of the accident. If the report is filed after 48 hours and the policyholder cannot provide relevant accident evidence, the insurance company may refuse to compensate due to the inability to verify the authenticity of the accident and the extent of the damage. 2. On-Site Investigation: After receiving the report, the insurance company will arrange for an adjuster to assist with on-site handling. The adjuster will inform you of the required claim materials, which must be submitted to the insurance company promptly after the accident is resolved. 3. Damage Assessment: The adjuster will assess the vehicle's damage and issue a damage assessment report. If the policyholder agrees with the amount stated in the report and has no objections, they can sign to initiate the claim process. If the policyholder believes the insurance company's assessment is unreasonable, they should refuse to sign the report. 4. Submission and Review of Claim Materials: After the accident is resolved, submit the required claim materials as per the insurance company's instructions. Upon receiving the materials, the insurance company will complete the approval process as quickly as possible and notify you of the results. The review time depends on the claim amount; larger claims may take longer to process. 5. Receiving the Compensation: Bring your ID card to collect the compensation. If someone else is authorized to collect on your behalf, a written authorization letter and the IDs of both the authorizer and the authorized person are required. Compensation can be paid via online banking. During the claim process, simply provide your bank card details and fill out an authorization form. Once the claim is processed, the compensation will be transferred to the designated bank account promptly.
Last month, I was involved in a rear-end collision while driving. I immediately stopped the car, turned on the hazard lights to ensure no one was injured, and then took out my phone to take comprehensive photos from all angles: the other party’s license plate, the damaged areas of the vehicles, and the surrounding environment. Next, I contacted my insurance company’s customer service hotline, provided my policy number and personal information, and gave a brief description of the accident. They instructed me to upload the photos, as well as scanned copies of my driver’s license and vehicle registration, through their app—the entire process took less than half an hour. Later, the insurance company sent an assessor to the scene or a designated repair shop to evaluate the damage. I opted for one of their partnered repair shops, and my car was fixed within three weeks, with the costs settled directly. It’s advisable to report the accident within 48 hours to avoid delays, and regularly checking your policy’s validity can save a lot of hassle.
Over the years of driving, I've had a few minor scrapes and collisions. The insurance claim experience I've accumulated is: Don't panic after an accident. First, park the car steadily, turn on the hazard lights, and take photos for evidence, ensuring the angles cover all details and the surrounding environment. Call the insurance company with your policy number ready. The customer service will record the time, location, and cause of the accident. Submitting materials through the APP, including scanned copies of documents, is the fastest method. I prefer to do it immediately to avoid forgetting. Next, wait for the loss assessor to contact you. Choosing their designated repair shop ensures quick and hassle-free repairs, or you can select your own shop for slower reimbursement. Emphasize not moving the vehicle or evidence throughout the process and keep all conversation records in case of disputes.
