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Questions & answers · Car insurance

Car insurance claim questions

99 short answers. Each one quotes the official rule it is based on, with the date we checked it. Information only — not legal advice.

Any state · federal rules (15)

Can my insurer cancel or non-renew my car policy, and how much notice do I get?Buying a policy
Does the state approve car insurance rates, and what can I do if mine seems too high?Buying a policy
How do I shop for car insurance?Buying a policy
How long do I have to dispute an auto total-loss settlement, and what is the appraisal process?Paid too little
How long do I have to fix my car after I get an auto insurance check?After payment
My car insurance denied my accident claim saying I was at fault, but the police report says otherwise. What can I do?Denied
My insurer offered $8,000 for my totaled car but Kelley Blue Book says $12,000. What can I do?Paid too little
My insurer refused to pay for a rental car after an accident caused by another driver. What can I do?Denied
Someone hit my parked car and my insurance company will not pay. What can I do?Denied
The at-fault driver's insurer paid my claim but not the full repair cost. Can I get the rest?Paid too little
The other driver had no insurance. Who pays for my car repairs?Who pays
The other driver's insurer denied my claim even though their driver was 100% at fault. Should I claim through my own insurance?Denied
The other driver's insurer refuses to pay, saying their driver wasn't at fault. What now?Denied
What is the deadline to file a car insurance claim after a car accident?Deadlines
Why didn't my insurer take the title after paying a total loss?After payment

Arizona (1)

In Arizona, how long do I have to sue the other driver, and does my share of fault block my claim?Deadlines · Arizona

California (7)

California rental company wants me to buy its damage waiver at the counter — is that required, and what happens if I decline?Buying a policy · California
I had an accident in another state, or I plan to drive to Mexico. Does my car insurance cover that?Who pays · California
I rented a car in California and it got damaged or stolen — do I have to pay, and does my own car insurance or credit card cover it?Who pays · California
I was served with a lawsuit after a car accident. What do I do, and does my insurer help?Other · California
In California, what if I cause a crash that costs more than my liability limit, and should I buy higher limits than the law requires?Buying a policy · California
My car insurance check has my lender's name on it, or the repair shop's. Why?Other · California
My car was towed after a crash. Does my insurer have to pay for the tow?Other · California

Florida (13)

Can the other driver's insurer refuse to pay because it says I was partly at fault, or tell me to use my own policy?Paid too little · Florida, Texas
Florida's minimum coverage is small — how much could I owe if I lend my car and the driver causes a big crash?Who pays · Florida
How can I find out how much liability insurance the at-fault driver has in Florida?Who pays · Florida
How long do I have to sue the at-fault driver in Florida?Deadlines · Florida
I rented a car in Florida and caused a crash — whose liability insurance pays first, mine or the rental company's?Who pays · Florida
If I pay my car insurance late in Florida, what happens?Buying a policy · Florida
In Florida, the other driver's insurer says I was more than half at fault. Can I still recover anything?Denied · Florida
Is my insurer acting in bad faith? What does the law say?Lawyer / bad faith · Florida, Texas
My car flooded. Will my car insurance pay, and will they total it?How to file · Florida
My car was declared a total loss and I think the insurer's value is too low. What can I ask for?Paid too little · Florida, Texas
My Florida PIP claim for physical therapy was denied as not medically necessary. What are my appeal grounds?Denied · Florida
My Florida PIP insurer is slow or denied part of my medical bills. What does the law say?Slow or stuck · Florida
My windshield was cracked. Do I pay my deductible in Florida?Other · Florida

Michigan (1)

In Michigan, does the prompt-payment law apply to the other driver's insurer when I make a claim against its customer?Paid too little · Michigan

New Jersey (11)

A driver hit my car and drove off, and I don't have the plate number. Who pays for the damage?Who pays · New Jersey, Texas
Hail dented my car. How do I file a claim, and will my insurance pay?How to file · New Jersey, Texas
In New Jersey, how does the other driver's insurer set the value of my totaled car, and what if I find a similar car that costs more?Paid too little · New Jersey
In New Jersey, how soon must the other driver's insurance company contact me and settle my car damage claim?Slow or stuck · New Jersey
In New Jersey, I cannot agree with the other driver's insurer on my car damage. Where can I take my complaint?Complaint / outside review · New Jersey
In New Jersey, my car is a total loss and I still owe a loan. Will the other driver's insurer pay off the loan?Paid too little · New Jersey
In New Jersey, the at-fault driver's insurer says it will not pay or its customer does not have enough insurance. What can I do?Appeal · New Jersey
In New Jersey, the other driver's insurer says I am partly at fault. Can I still be paid for my car damage?Denied · New Jersey
In New Jersey, will the other driver's insurance company pay for my rental car and for storage fees?Paid too little · New Jersey
My car was stolen. How do I file an insurance claim?How to file · New Jersey, Texas
My engine caught fire, and my insurer says it was wear and tear, so it won't pay. What can I do?Denied · New Jersey, Texas

New York (4)

I rented a car in New York and it was damaged or stolen — will the rental company make me pay, and does my own car insurance or credit card cover it?Who pays · New York
In New York, how long do I have to sue the other driver for damage to my car or for my injury?Deadlines · New York
My car was in a flood. Does flood insurance pay for the car, or does my car insurance?Who pays · New York
Will my car insurance be affected if I drive for Uber?Buying a policy · New York

Ohio (6)

How long do I have to sue the other driver in Ohio for my car damage or injuries?Deadlines · Ohio
In Ohio, the other driver's insurance company is slow to answer my claim. Is there a time rule for it?Slow or stuck · Ohio
In Ohio, the other driver's insurer says I was partly at fault and cuts my payment. Can I see how it counted my share?Paid too little · Ohio
In Ohio, the other driver's insurer totaled my car. How must it work out the cash offer?Paid too little · Ohio
In Ohio, two drivers caused my crash and each has a different insurer. Who pays my car damage, and do I wait while they argue?Who pays · Ohio
Ohio's minimum liability limits look low — what happens if I cause a crash and a court judgment against me is bigger than my insurance pays?Who pays · Ohio

Pennsylvania (1)

The other driver's insurer says we were equally at fault (50/50). In Pennsylvania, can I still be paid?Denied · Pennsylvania

Texas (33)

A driver hit my car in Texas. What information must the other driver give me, and what should I get at the scene?How to file · Texas
How do I file a car insurance claim after an accident, and what should I keep?How to file · Texas
How long do I have to fix my car after I get the insurance check?After payment · Texas
How long do I have to sue the other driver in Texas for my car damage or injuries?Deadlines · Texas
I am renting a car in Texas — do I need the rental company's damage waiver and liability policy, or does my own car insurance cover me?Buying a policy · Texas
I caused a car accident in Texas and the other driver's bills are higher than my liability limit — am I personally responsible for the rest?Who pays · Texas
I hit a deer with my car. Does my insurance pay, and can they drop me?Other · Texas
If I cancel my car insurance early, do I get money back?Other · Texas
Is there a deadline to file a car insurance claim after an accident?Deadlines · Texas
My auto insurer and I disagree on the amount of my car damage. What is appraisal?Paid too little · Texas
My auto insurer denied my claim. What can I ask for, and what are my options?Denied · Texas
My auto insurer is treating my claim unfairly. How do I complain to the state, and what can they do?Complaint / outside review · Texas
My car was totaled, but I owe more on the loan than the insurer will pay. What is gap insurance?Who pays · Texas
My friend borrowed my car and had a wreck. Does my policy cover her?Other · Texas
My insurer called after my accident and I did not answer. Can it refuse to renew my policy?Other · Texas
My insurer declared my car a total loss and the amount seems too low. What can I ask for?Denied · Texas
My insurer won't pay for a rental car while mine is being fixed. Is that right?Denied · Texas
My Texas auto insurer says I reported the accident too late. Can they deny it?Denied · Texas
Someone hit my parked car in Texas and drove off. What was the driver supposed to do, and what can I do?Who pays · Texas
Texas minimum liability limits feel too low — what coverage can protect me if a crash costs more than my policy pays (umbrella / higher limits)?Buying a policy · Texas
The accident was not my fault. How do I claim with the other driver's insurance?How to file · Texas
The other driver's insurance company is slow to answer my car claim in Texas. Does the Texas claim-payment deadline law apply to it?Slow or stuck · Texas
The other driver's insurance says I was partly at fault. In Texas, does that change what I can get?Denied · Texas
The other driver's insurance says their driver wasn't at fault. Can I appeal that, and who pays now?Appeal · Texas
The other driver's insurer denied my claim or isn't responding. Can I use my own insurance?Denied · Texas
They totaled my car. How is the amount set, can I keep the car, and what happens to the title?Paid too little · Texas
What if no company will sell me car insurance?Buying a policy · Texas
What is personal injury protection (PIP) on my Texas car policy, and what does it pay?Other · Texas
Who pays for my rental car after a crash, and am I covered driving a rental?Who pays · Texas
Will my car insurance change if I move?Buying a policy · Texas
Will my car insurance cover me while I drive for a ride-hailing or delivery app?Who pays · Texas
Will my car or home insurance premium go up if I file a claim — even if it wasn't paid?Buying a policy · Texas
Will my personal car insurance cover me if I drive for Uber or Lyft?Buying a policy · Texas

Virginia (3)

In Virginia, how fast must the other driver's insurance company respond after I report my car damage claim?How to file · Virginia
In Virginia, how long do I have to sue the other driver for my injuries or my car damage?Deadlines · Virginia
In Virginia, the other driver's insurer denied or lowballed my car claim. What can I ask it to give me in writing?Appeal · Virginia

Washington (4)

How long do I have to sue the other driver in Washington, and will the insurer warn me before the deadline?Deadlines · Washington
In Washington, the other driver clearly caused the crash but their insurer tells me to use my own collision coverage. Is that allowed?Who pays · Washington
In Washington, the other driver's insurer has not answered my claim. What time rules does it have?Slow or stuck · Washington
In Washington, the other driver's insurer pays less than my repair shop's estimate. Do they have to explain why?Paid too little · Washington