{"id":353041,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:36","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/car-accidents\/car-accident-property-damage-claims-faq.html"},"modified":"2025-10-28T16:21:35","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T21:21:35","slug":"car-accident-property-damage-claims-faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/car-accidents\/car-accident-property-damage-claims-faq.html","title":{"rendered":"How To File a Property Damage Claim for a Car Accident"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How To File a Property Damage Claim for a Car Accident<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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To file a property damage claim<\/span> after a car accident<\/span>, you must seek compensation for your vehicle’s repairs or value from an insurance company<\/span>. This usually means filing a third-party claim with the at-fault driver<\/span>\u2019s insurer, or a first-party claim with your own if the other driver is uninsured. The process requires submitting evidence of the damage and your financial losses to the insurance adjuster<\/span> to receive a settlement check for your car’s repairs.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

At some point, most of us will be involved in a motor vehicle<\/span> accident. The good news is that most car crashes<\/span> are minor. However, there is still a good chance you\u2019ll experience property damage<\/a>, even in a minor accident.<\/p>\n

If you didn\u2019t cause the car accident<\/span>, it doesn\u2019t seem fair that you should be left paying for the damage. The at-fault party<\/span><\/a> should compensate you for any damages you suffer, including property damage. Usually, the insurance company<\/span> will pay for your car repairs. If this doesn\u2019t happen, you may have no choice but to sue the other driver personally for damages.<\/p>\n

This article explains how to file a property damage claim<\/span> after a car accident<\/span>, discusses what to do if the insurance carrier doesn\u2019t pay your auto <\/span>insurance<\/span> claim<\/span><\/a>, and demonstrates how to seek reimbursement<\/span> for car repairs and other property damage. If you were in a recent auto accident<\/span>, contact a local car accident<\/span> attorney<\/span><\/a> to discuss your case. They\u2019ll explain your legal options<\/span> and help you decide how best to proceed.<\/p>\n

Steps to Take Immediately After a Car Crash<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are specific steps you must take after your motor vehicle<\/span> accident if you want to preserve your right to file a claim for property damage<\/a>. If you fail to complete these steps, you\u2019ll jeopardize your chances of recovery.<\/p>\n

In the moments after a car crash<\/span><\/a>, you should do the following:<\/p>\n