People who get into car accidents, especially in serious accidents, should file an insurance claim as soon as possible for both property and medical coverage. This is especially important if the other driver is found to be at fault or if the other driver leaves the scene of the accident.

It is also important to note that some states like New York have an explicit deadline to make a claim after a car accident and that some insurance companies have deadlines specified in their policies.

How long do I have to make a claim after a car accident?

There is no general deadline to make a claim after a car accident, but it should still be filed as soon as possible.

Each insurance policy will have its own wording and rules pertaining to the claim filing process, with most not having any strict deadlines. Consumers should always review their policy in this section to be sure. Most insurance companies require policyholders to make their claim “promptly” or “within a reasonable” amount of time. This is because insurance companies need time to investigate the claim, including the circumstances around the accident.

It is also important to note that the ideal time period to file a car accident claim can vary between states, especially those with laws surrounding no-fault car insurance.

For example, New York law requires that a claim be filed within 30 days of a car accident, unless if there are outstanding circumstances that prevent or make it unreasonable for the person to do so.

Does waiting to file a claim reduce the chances of getting paid?

Only in specific circumstances in cases where waiting to file the car accident claim is the reason for the insurance company to deny it. Otherwise, the insurance company could be liable for bad faith insurance.

However, waiting to make a claim after a car accident could raise the chances of potential claim denial because the procedure was not strictly followed.

What information is needed to file a claim after a car accident?

After an accident, it is important to make sure several things happen. While filing a police report is not necessary, it is recommended for the insurance claim filing process. This is especially prevalent if another driver is involved so there is some form of proof and documentation of the transpired events.

This is because there are times when it is unclear who is at fault, which makes a major difference in how the insurance filing process plays out.

It is important to note that insurance companies deal with other insurance companies, so the driver’s insurance company will represent them if there is any dispute or if an arrangement is needed to assign the other party payouts.

Retain any financial receipts that resulted in either property damage or medical injuries, especially if the car accident may have caused long term impairments. This can often be shown in medical evaluations, therapy treatment bills, and other diagnoses that may be discovered after the collision.

This article is not legal advice or medical advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.