How to file an insurance claim

The sooner a claim is reported with the right details, the sooner it moves. Here is the order we recommend, plus the Pennsylvania rules that apply after a car crash.

At the scene of a car crash

1. Make sure everyone is safe. If the vehicles can be driven, move them out of traffic.
2. Call 911 if anyone is hurt, or if a vehicle can't be driven and needs a tow. Pennsylvania requires drivers to notify police right away in either case.
3. Exchange names, phone numbers, insurance companies, policy numbers, and plate numbers with the other drivers. Don't admit fault at the scene.
4. Take photos: damage to every vehicle, plates, the road and intersection, and any visible injuries.
5. Call your carrier's claims line. The number is on your insurance ID card and your declarations page.
6. Call us at (610) 800-4410 once the claim is open, and we'll follow up with the carrier.

Pennsylvania reporting rules

• Police notice. The driver must notify police immediately if a crash injures or kills anyone, or if a vehicle is damaged too badly to be driven and has to be towed (75 Pa.C.S. § 3746).
• Written report to PennDOT. If police don't investigate a crash like that, each driver must send PennDOT a written report within five days (75 Pa.C.S. § 3747). PennDOT's form is the Driver's Accident Report (AA-600).
• In Philadelphia. Philadelphia police generally do not respond to minor crashes where no one is hurt. When that happens, the names, plate numbers, and photos you collect at the scene are what the claim relies on, so collect them before anyone leaves.

Injury claims after a car crash

Your own policy's first-party medical benefit pays the medical bills for you and others covered by your policy, regardless of who caused the crash. Pennsylvania requires at least $5,000 of it on auto policies (75 Pa.C.S. § 1711). That requirement excludes motorcycles, so a rider's medical bills are paid by any medical benefit the rider added to the motorcycle policy, or otherwise by the rider's health insurance.

Your tort election matters if you were hurt by another driver. Full tort keeps your right to sue for pain and suffering. Limited tort still lets you recover medical and other out-of-pocket costs, but pain and suffering only for a "serious injury" or one of the exceptions in 75 Pa.C.S. § 1705(d). See full tort vs limited tort for how the two compare.

For a non-emergency claim

Property damage to a parked vehicle, a tree on your roof, a tool stolen from a job site: call us first if you have time. We can open the claim with the carrier while you're on the line, pass along the adjuster's contact details, and check in until the claim closes.

What to have ready

• Your policy number (on your declarations page or insurance card)
• Date, time, and location of the incident
• Names, contact details, insurance, and plate numbers for anyone else involved
• Photos of the damage and the scene
• The police report number, or a note that police did not respond

What happens after you file

1. An adjuster contacts you. The carrier assigns an adjuster who reviews the loss and may ask for a recorded statement, photos, or documents.
2. Inspection and estimate. The adjuster or an appraiser inspects the damage, or reviews photos and a repair estimate, and the carrier decides what the policy covers.
3. Repair and payment. Payment is made less your deductible. Rental car costs are paid only if your policy includes rental reimbursement or the other driver's carrier accepts liability.
4. Recovery from the at-fault party. If someone else caused the loss, your carrier may pursue that party's insurer (subrogation). If it recovers, you may get some or all of your deductible back.

We don't pay claims — we help them move

The carrier pays the claim. Our role is to coordinate, follow up, and push back if the adjuster moves slowly or the offer looks low. Not sure which carrier you're with? Check your declarations page or ID card, or call us and we'll look it up. Curious how we pick carriers in the first place? Here is how we match you to one.

After hours?

Your carrier's claims number is printed on your insurance ID card and on the first page of your declarations. Call it to open the claim, then call us at (610) 800-4410 when the office opens (Mon–Sat · 9 AM – 7 PM ET · Sun closed) and we'll take it from there.