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                  CONNECT POWERED BY AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE logo
                  • Home
                  • Insurance Choices
                    • Auto Insurance
                      • Coverage
                      • Benefits
                      • Discounts
                      • Payments
                    • Home & Condo Insurance
                      • Homeowners Standard Coverages
                      • Condo Coverage
                      • Additional Coverage Options
                      • Discounts
                      • Payments
                    • Renters Insurance
                      • Coverage
                      • Benefits
                      • Payments
                    • Umbrella Insurance
                      • Coverage
                      • Discounts
                      • Payments
                    • Specialty Insurance
                      • Coverage
                    • Business Insurance
                      • Coverage
                  • Claims
                    • Auto Claims
                      • Filing an auto insurance claim
                      • Auto insurance claim process
                      • Repairing Your Car
                      • Total loss car vs. repairable vehicles
                      • What happens after your car is totaled?
                      • How to determine car value
                      • The basics of not-at-fault accidents
                    • Homeowners Claims
                      • Filing a homeowners insurance claim
                      • Home insurance claim guide
                    • Common Claims Questions
                      • What to do after a car accident
                      • How long does an insurance claim take to settle?
                      • What to do if insurance denies claim and more claims tips
                      • I’ve hired an insurance claim attorney - what can I expect?
                      • What is subrogation?
                      • What effect does a not-at-fault accident have on my insurance?
                    • Types of Insurance Claims
                      • Rear-end collisions
                      • Parking lot accidents
                      • Identity theft
                      • Home theft
                      • Water damage
                      • Wind and hail damage
                    • Ways to Report a Claim
                      We're available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. File a claim report online or report a claim anytime by calling us now.
                      File a claim
                  • Learning Center
                    • Auto
                      • Safe driving tips
                      • Car maintenance
                      • Car buying tips
                    • Home & Renters
                      • Home maintenance
                      • Home safety
                      • Home buying and selling
                      • How to rent
                    • Disaster Preparedness
                      • Wildfires
                      • Tornadoes
                      • Hurricanes
                      • Earthquakes
                      • Floods
                      • Natural Disasters
                    • Understanding Insurance
                      • Insurance coverage
                      • Insurance Rates
                      • Insurance terms
                    • Florida Hurricane Mitigation Discounts
                    • About
                      • Benefits and Discounts

                        Check out all the different benefits and discounts that we offer through CONNECT. From auto to home insurance, we've got you covered.

                        See benefits and discounts
                      • Customer Testimonials

                        See what customers have to say about their experience with CONNECT. Read auto and home insurance reviews to learn about our superior customer service and more!

                        Hear from our customers
                    • Help
                      • Contact Us
                        Have questions around your insurance policy or claims? We’re here to help. Find a CONNECT phone number and other contact info you need.
                        Visit our contact page
                      • General FAQs
                        Find answers to your billing, coverage, claims, documents and profile questions.
                        See all FAQs
                      • Holiday Hours
                        On certain dates, some of our services may be limited.
                        See our holiday hours
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                                  Auto Insurance Claim FAQ
                                  Auto Insurance Claim FAQ
                                  • Claims
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                                      • Filing an auto insurance claim
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                                      • Repairing Your Car
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                                      • How to determine car value
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                                    • Common Claims Questions
                                    • Types of Insurance Claims
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                                  1. Home
                                  2. Claims
                                  3. Auto Claims
                                  4. Filing an auto insurance claim
                                  • Claims
                                    • Auto Claims
                                      • Filing an auto insurance claim
                                      • Auto insurance claim process
                                      • Repairing Your Car
                                      • Total loss car vs. repairable vehicles
                                      • What happens after your car is totaled?
                                      • How to determine car value
                                      • The basics of not-at-fault accidents
                                    • Homeowners Claims
                                    • Common Claims Questions
                                    • Types of Insurance Claims
                                    • Ways to Report a Claim

                                  Filing an Auto Insurance Claim: What to Expect

                                  Whether your car insurance claim is the result of an accident with another driver, vehicle theft or weather-related circumstances, your first step to filing an auto insurance claim is to start a report online, submit a claim online as a guest or call us.

                                  I was just involved in an auto accident. When should I start my claim?

                                  Your safety is our first priority. As long as you and your loved ones are safe, log in to your online account, start a guest claim, or call us right away. You can call us from the accident scene, or you can call us from the comfort of your own home, but it's important that you touch base with us as soon as you're able.

                                  Should I drive my vehicle after the accident?

                                  If you see any leaking fluid or broken glass, or your airbag has deployed or you hear loud clunking noises, it's probably not a good idea to drive your vehicle after an accident. As an alternative, you can elect to have your vehicle towed. (If you've added towing coverage to your auto insurance policy, generally the charges are covered up to $75 – or more, in some states.)

                                  What happens after I file the auto claim?

                                  A claims representative will contact you within one business day after you file an auto claim.

                                  What will my claims representative ask?

                                  Your claims representative will go over all of the facts with you and get a recorded statement if needed. Your claims representative will also verify damages and obtain information about passengers, if there were any. Then your claims representative will talk about your coverage and the next steps.

                                  What will happen to my vehicle?

                                  Your claims representative can arrange for an inspection of your vehicle at a repair shop of your choice. Don’t have a preferred repair shop? Find one with our easy-to-use search tool.

                                  What if my vehicle is totaled?

                                  If the accident was severe and your vehicle is a total loss, we'll research market prices for that particular make and model in your area with similar characteristics and give you an estimate for the cost of your totaled vehicle.

                                  What if it takes a week or longer to repair or replace my vehicle?

                                  If you opted for rental coverage, an add-on to your existing auto insurance policy, it will help cover the cost of a rental vehicle for a reasonable period of time you'll be without your vehicle while it is being repaired or replaced. We will help you arrange for a rental vehicle at the facility of your choice.

                                  How long will the auto insurance claim process take?

                                  We will process your auto insurance claim as quickly as possible, but it depends on the complexity of the case and the severity of the damage.

                                  While your auto insurance claim is being processed, do not hesitate to call or contact us at any time to talk through any questions you may have.

                                  --

                                  RELATED INFORMATION

                                  • Step-by-Step Guide to Filing an Auto Insurance Claim
                                  A.M. Best, the leading independent rater of insurers in the country, has rated the companies within the CONNECT group “A” (Excellent), the third highest of their 15 ratings, for financial strength, stability and soundness of operating performance. Better Business Bereau Accredited Business

                                  File an Auto or Home Insurance Claim

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                                  © 2025 American Family Connect Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Inc. All rights reserved.

                                  CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, is the brand name of American Family Connect Property and Casualty Insurance Company and American Family Connect Insurance Company, Madison, WI. Depending on the state, auto policies are underwritten by either company, or by an affiliate, Midvale Indemnity Company, Madison, WI. Property policies are underwritten and issued by affiliates based in Boston, MA, including: Homesite Indemnity Company, Homesite Insurance Company, Homesite Insurance Company of California, Homesite Insurance Company of Florida, Homesite Insurance Company of Georgia, Homesite Insurance Company of Illinois, Homesite Insurance Company of New York, Homesite Lloyd’s of Texas, and Homesite Insurance Company of the Midwest. The American Family Connect Insurance Agency, Inc., places policies with related and unrelated companies. Each insurer is solely responsible for the claims on its policies and pays the Agency for policies sold. In Texas, certain property coverages may be underwritten by Ranchers & Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. Prices, coverages and privacy policies vary among these insurers. Each company has sole financial responsibility for its products. Some products, discounts, benefits, and savings may vary, may not be available in all states, and are subject to limitations.

                                  We provide this information to help you understand insurance. Any coverage is subject to the terms of your policy. Please refer to your policy and declaration page for complete coverage details.