My First Car Insurance Claim Experience: A Complete Guide for
Hello, readers! 👋
If you're reading this, you might be panicking or confused because this is your first time filing a car insurance claim—or perhaps you've just experienced a roadside incident 😅.
Don't worry, you're not alone.
A while ago, I was in the same position: the first time I had to file an insurance claim. Anxious? Definitely. Confused? Very much so. But after going through the process, it turned out that claiming wasn't as scary as we thought.
Here, I'm going to share my personal experience:
- The steps of the claim, from start until the car was repaired
- Necessary documents (global version)
- Timeline of the claim process
- Tips for a quick claim approval
- Common questions about insurance claims
Get a cup of coffee ☕, because we're going to have a relaxed but complete chat ✨
📍 The Beginning of the Incident
That day, I was driving casually. Traffic was quite heavy. Suddenly, the car in front slammed on its brakes—and brakkk! 🚘💥 I braked a little too late… and my car's front bumper was dented quite badly.
Honestly, my brain froze for a moment.
But after taking a deep breath, I could only say to myself:
Good thing I have insurance 🙏
And so began my first journey of filing a claim.
🧭 Car Insurance Claim Steps
✅ 1. Document the Incident
Take as many photos as possible.
Take pictures of:
📸
- Damage to your car
- The location of the incident
- The position of the vehicles during the incident
- License plates
- Damage to the other party (if any)
Tip: The clearer the evidence, the easier the claim process.
✅ 2. Contact the Insurance Company
I immediately called the insurance customer service. They asked for:
- Policy number
- Time & location of the incident
- Brief chronology
- Whether a third party was involved
They then gave me a claim report number.
Keep it safe—it's important! 📎
✅ 3. Complete the Claim Documents
Here are the international/global version of the documents:
📂 Documents to prepare:
- Driver’s license
- Vehicle registration document
- Proof of identity (passport / national ID)
- Insurance policy number
- Claim form
- Photos of the damage
If a third party is involved:
- Other party's contact information
- Photos of their vehicle damage
- Their vehicle number
- Statement of the incident
✅ 4. Vehicle Survey / Inspection
I took the car to a partner workshop recommended by the insurance company.
A surveyor / claims assessor checked the condition of the car.
The process only took 15–30 minutes.
After that, they said:
"Please wait for approval in 1–3 working days."
✅ 5. Approval & Repair
Two days later, I received the news:
✅ Claim approved
The car immediately entered the workshop. The repair took about 5 days. The result? Smooth as new! ✨
⏱️ Estimated Claim Process Time
- Incident reporting: 15–30 minutes
- Inspection: 1 day
- Insurance approval: 1–3 days
- Repair: 3–7 days
Total: 4–10 working days, depending on the damage.
💡 Valuable Lessons + Important Tips
⭐ Report as quickly as possible
Ideally \le 24 hours.
⭐ Have documents ready-to-use
To speed up the process.
⭐ Be honest in the chronology
Claims can be rejected if the information does not match the facts.
⭐ Use an authorized / partner workshop
Usually faster & the procedures are clear.
⭐ Save the insurance emergency contact
To be prepared anytime.
📎 About Deductible Cost
Almost all policies have a deductible / excess = the cost paid by the user per incident.
Example: USD $100 – $300 (or equivalent depending on the country).
In my case: about IDR 350,000.
Still much cheaper than the bumper repair cost 😅
😌 Conclusion of Personal Experience
Filing a claim for the first time is nerve-wracking… but after going through it?
- The insurance system turned out to be quite organized
- As long as we follow the procedure, everything can go smoothly
- Insurance is truly a safety net 🔐
The takeaway:
- checkmark Complete documentation
- checkmark Fast communication
- checkmark Honest & transparent
- checkmark Follow the insurance company's process
And don't forget: being calm is key 😄
❓ Car Insurance Claim FAQ
- How long is the claim process? 2–10 days, depending on conditions & country.
- Is the claim definitely approved? As long as it's compliant with the policy & proof is complete, it is generally approved.
- If it was my fault, can I claim? For an all-risk/comprehensive policy, usually yes.
- Is a police report needed? If a third party is involved or there is major damage, usually yes.
- Does claiming affect future premiums? Depends on the insurance company.
⚠️ Disclaimer
This article is based on personal experience and general procedures.
Every country & insurance company has different policies.
Always check your policy and follow the official rules from your insurance provider.
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