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How do I make a car insurance claim for damage I did to my own vehicle?
I hit a pole last night and damaged the fender—and yes, I’m still kicking myself. Luckily, I was the only person involved in the accident, but my car is pretty banged up. How do I make a claim for this type of damage?
Ben Guess · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
I’m so glad you’re okay—and I’m happy to say that making a claim for damage you caused only requires collision coverage.
If you’ve been in a single-vehicle accident, you can make a claim through your insurance company if you have
collision coverage
, which covers you for any type of crash. Simply call your insurance provider, give them any relevant information and answer their questions, and your claim should be processed in about 30 days.You will most likely need to pay your
deductible
for any single-vehicle accident. If your car is significantly damaged, it’s always best to file a claim. However, in this case, you will be at fault, meaning that your insurance rates may go up if you file a claim instead of paying out of pocket, so be sure to consider your options!If you find that your new premium is more than you can afford, it might be a good idea to shop around to make sure you’re getting the best deal on the coverage you need. To do this easily, check out the
Jerry
app—we’ll get you customized quotes from top insurers in seconds, so that all you have to do is pick the plan that works best for you. And once you choose one, we’ll even help you switch!Best of luck, and hopefully everything goes smoothly!
View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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