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How long does it take to file a claim?
How long does it take to file a claim? I was in an accident this morning—luckily just a minor fender bender, but it still shook me up a little. I was already late to work, and everything is so busy I don't know when I will have time to call my insurance company. How long will this process take?
Shannon Martin · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
I’m so sorry to hear about your accident. However, I’m happy to say that filing a claim isn’t as time-consuming as you think! The average first-contact claim call is only about 10 minutes long. You can squeeze it into your lunch break!
It is important that you file the claim
right away.
The claims agent will have questions about things that are easily forgettable but vital to your case. These might include:- What time of day did the incident occur?
- What were the weather conditions?
- Were there any witnesses?
Also, a delayed claim report gives the other driver the chance to share false information, so you want to have your side of the story on record first.
Many
car insurance
companies now offer in-app claims services, which means that you can report the whole incident without speaking to an agent at all. Before setting up your claim via app, make sure you have pictures of any damage your vehicle sustained. Submitting photos of your car is a routine part of the process, and will help speed it up, as it will help your insurance agent fact-check your claim.If you’re not entirely satisfied with how your provider handles this claim, give
Jerry
a try when it is time to shop for a new insurance policy. The Jerry app shops prices with over 50 insurance companies and delivers customized quotes straight to your phone in seconds! Once you’ve picked a plan, we’ll even help you switch—and if you have any questions, you can text an agent for immediate assistance.Best of luck with filing this claim, and hope all 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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