auto insurance claims

Auto insurance claims are demands or requests made to a car insurance company for payment of repair costs and medical expenses related to an accident covered under the terms of a car insurance policy. The amount and type of expenses paid by auto insurance claims will vary with the type of insurance coverage that is purchased.

Major Types of Car Insurance Claims

In most instances, there are three major types of claims that can be made requesting payment under a car insurance policy. They are: collision claims, comprehensive claims and liability claims.

Collision Claims

Collision claims can be made to request payment for damages and repairs to the insured driver’s vehicle due to a collision. This type of claim pays for regardless if the insured driver is at fault or not. Claims can be paid up to the actual repair or replacement amount minus a predetermined deductible.

Comprehensive Claims

This type of claim will pay for damage to the insured driver’s vehicle suffered as a result of reasons other than a car collision accident. For example, comprehensive claims can be made when a vehicle is damaged by flood, fire or storm. Also, coverage claims are used to request replacement costs for a vehicle that is stolen or vandalized as well. These claims also have a deductible.

Liability Claims

Claims paid for under liability coverage will pay for car repair costs and medical expenses for other parties involved in an accident—besides the insured drivers. With liability claims, the insured driver’s vehicle and expenses are not covered and will not be paid.