How to Claim Car Insurance: A Complete Guide to the Claim Process

Add car insurance to the list of things you need but you hope you’ll never use. Alas, just like power generators, fire extinguishers, and basic first aid kits, you’ll eventually arrive at a situation where you’ll have to go through a car insurance claim process.  

Dealing with situations like a car accident or car theft is stressful as it is. You don’t need the added stress of handling all the added expenses related to your car. That’s why you bought an insurance policy in the first place.

Filing a car insurance claim in the Philippines ensures that you’ll receive assistance and compensation for the loss or damage your car will sustain in an accident. As a responsible car owner, you should know the entire car insurance claim process and the steps you need to take in the aftermath of a road accident.

After all, you paid good money to protect your car from unforeseen events. You don’t want to waste that investment now, do you?

Note that this article is only meant to give you a general idea about the car insurance claim process. Car insurance providers in the Philippines have different requirements, procedures, and other things related to claims, so it’s still best to consult your insurer for specific concerns with your insurance claim.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

When you get into an accident, remember to stay calm and have the presence of mind to do the following. This will help speed up the processing of your insurance claim.

1. Get a Police Report

The police will gather all important details, investigate the incident, and note the damages to the vehicles and properties. Don’t forget to request a police report since it’s a requirement when you file an insurance claim.

If there are no police in the area, write down and sketch the details of the accident in a sheet of paper then ask all parties involved to sign it.

2. Take Pictures of the Aftermath

Use your smartphone to take pictures of the accident with the actual vehicle position, a close-up view of the damaged portion of your vehicle showing the plate number, and other vehicle involved in the collision. Also, check the dash cam videos from the cars involved for added evidence.

3. Get All the Important Information

Try to get the following details needed for filing a car insurance claim from the other party. If the other party fled and you failed to identify the other vehicle, talk to the witnesses around the area for more details.

• Names, contact details, and addresses of the other party
• Names, contact details, and addresses of the witnesses
• Model and plate number of the cars involved
• Driver’s license number
• Details of the car insurance policy of the other car

4. Undergo a Medical Examination

This step is important to secure a medical certificate, another insurance claim requirement. It will indicate the extent of the injury sustained and the required treatment or medication.

What are the Car Insurance Claim Requirements?

When filing a car insurance claim, your insurance provider will require you to present certain documents.

Primary Car Insurance Claim Requirements

Here are the basic car insurance claim requirements you need to secure.

• Police report – Must contain a detailed account of how your car was damaged (in case of own damage) and who’s at fault (when the accident is somebody else’s fault)
• Accomplished insurance claim form – Fill out an online form from the insurer’s website or head to its office to complete the form in person. You may also contact your insurance provider via email and submit the form and other requirements online.
• Pictures of the damaged or lost parts of your vehicle and the full view of the car showing the plate number
• Car repair estimate
• Photocopy of driver’s license with official receipt (OR)
• Photocopy of certificate of vehicle registration with MVRR number

Additional Claim Requirements

Aside from the basic documents, you also need to prepare other documents depending on the nature of your claim.

For auto passenger personal accident claim:

• Valid ID (photocopy)
• Birth certificate (photocopy)
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Certificate of employment
• Original copy of medical certificate and medical receipts with prescription
• Certified true copy of death certificate
• Certified true copy of funeral bills or receipts

For third-party bodily injury claim:

• Valid ID (if the third party is of legal age)
• Birth certificate (if the third party is a minor)
• Original copy of Medical Certificate and medical receipts with prescription
• Income tax return (in case of loss of income)

For third-party death claim:

• Valid ID of heirs or claimants (photocopy)
• Birth certificate (photocopy)
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Certified true copy of death certificate
• Certified true copy of funeral bills or receipts
• Income tax return (in case of loss of income)

For third-party property damage claim:

• Letter of claim from a third-party insurer or claimant
• Police sketch plan of the accident scene
• Original copy of Certification of No Claim issued by the third-party insurer (for vehicles)
• Proof of ownership (for non-vehicle properties)

For lost or stolen vehicle claim:

• Full set of keys of the lost car
• Car insurance policy (original copy)
• Alarm Sheet and Complaint Sheet from the Traffic Management Group or TMG (original copies)
• Certificate of Non-Recovery from TMG (original copy)
• Original copy of Cancellation of Chattel Mortgage (if applicable)
• Letter of release from financial institution (if applicable)

What is a Certificate of No Claim in Insurance?

In case of an accident involving a third party, you’ll need to secure a Certificate of No Claim from the third party’s insurance company prior to the processing of your car insurance claim. This document certifies that the third party has not made any claims from his own insurance, preventing them to file a double claim in the future.

How to Get a Certificate of No Claim

If the third party doesn’t have a comprehensive car insurance, they can still secure a Certificate of No Claim from their CTPL insurance provider. Note that most providers charge ₱50 to ₱100 to produce a Certificate of No Claim, while the more high-end providers don’t charge anything.

Car Insurance Claim Process in the Philippines

Once you have all the needed information, documents, and evidence from the incident, you can proceed with filing a car insurance claim. Contact your car insurance provider immediately and report the damage or loss by providing the following information.

• Nature of vehicle damage/loss
• Date and time of the incident
• Your contact details
• Policyholder’s name
• Policy number
• Nature of claim (i.e., own damage, theft, third-party bodily injury, etc.)

The insurance company will walk you through the next steps regarding your insurance claim. It will also provide you with instructions on what to do with your car, a list of accredited car repair shops, and the documents you need to submit.

How to File a Claim with the Insurer

If you prefer to handle everything in your claims processing—from filing a claim to getting an approval—then it makes sense to deal directly with the car insurance company. To file a vehicle claim, call, email, or visit your insurer’s claims services or customer service department.

A claims service officer will guide you through the process, explaining the steps to filing a claim. You’ll also be provided with a list of requirements to submit, forms to accomplish, and referral to the insurance company’s accredited car repair shops.

Of course, the officer can also assist you with your concerns or questions about your vehicle claim. For example, the claims services staff can coordinate with the roadside assistance team for towing your car. You may also ask for a referral for legal consultation.

Know more about car insurance providers in the Philippines:

• Malayan Car Insurance
• MAPFRE Car Insurance
• Prudential Car Insurance

How to Contact a Car Insurance Company When Filing a Vehicle Claim

Some of the car insurance companies in the Philippines accept claims filed directly by their clients. Here are their contact details:

How to File a Claim Through Your Car Insurance Agent or Broker

Filing a claim directly with your car insurance provider is great if you have plenty of time to talk to different people for follow-ups on your claim status. But what if you don’t?

If you’re too busy to do everything by yourself, you can approach your agent or broker who assisted you in buying car insurance. The car insurance agent or broker can help you with filing a claim. That’s part of the bank’s, dealership’s, or online broker’s after-sales service, so take advantage of it.

All you have to do is submit your complete claim requirements to your agent or broker. Your documents will then be submitted to the car insurance company on your behalf. The agent or broker will also guide you through the claims process.

For example, if you compared quotes and purchased car insurance through Moneymax, its dedicated claims services team will assist with your claims and roadside assistance needs. Submit all your claim-related documents to claims@moneymax.ph.

Some car insurance firms can accept claims filed through their authorized auto repair shops. Just bring your damaged car to an accredited repair shop and submit the claim documents to an agent. The repair shop will then forward the documents to the car insurance provider for evaluation. Once the insurer issues an LOA, the repair shop will start the repairs.

How to File a Claim Through PAMI (for TNVS Operators)

When you join a TNVS company like Grab as an operator, the LTFRB requires getting insurance from PAMI (Passenger Accident Management and Insurance Agency, Inc.) in addition to your original car insurance policy. PAMI insurance provides passenger and personal accident coverage for public utility vehicles, including ride-hailing services.

If your TNVS car has PAMI insurance coverage, filing a vehicle claim can be done through the nearest PAMI office.^[1]

How Long Can a Car Insurance Claim Process Take?

After submitting all the requirements, the insurance provider will begin the inspection and evaluation of the damaged car. The car insurance claim period^[2] can take as fast as three to seven days, or as long as weeks or months, depending on the gravity of the damages. It’s best to follow up with your insurer from time to time.

What is LOA (Letter of Authority)?

Once your claim is approved, the car insurance company will issue a Letter of Authority (LOA), which means you can have your vehicle fixed by the insurer’s accredited dealership. The car repair shop will only begin the repair upon the release of the LOA.

Rejected Car Insurance Claim? Here’s Why and What to Do

Not all claims end up getting approved. A claim may get rejected if the type of vehicle damage isn’t covered by the policy. Failure to follow the terms and conditions of your car insurance may also lead to a claim rejection.

Why is My Car Insurance Claim Rejected?

• Unpaid car insurance premiums
• Damage caused by a natural disaster if your policy doesn’t have an Acts of Nature coverage
• Causing injury or property damage intentionally (e.g., road rage)
• Accepting settlement with the person at fault in an accident
• Unlawful activities such as driving without a license (or with an expired license), drunk driving, and violating traffic rules (e.g., beating the red light)
• Policy named under a person who isn’t driving the car
• The vehicle has damaged parts (e.g., broken headlights, worn-out brake pads) prior to the accident

Read carefully the terms and conditions of your car insurance policy so you know what you’re entitled to and when you can make a claim. Also, make sure to pay all your premiums to avoid getting your insurance claim denied.

What Can I Do If My Claim Got Denied?

If the insurance provider rejects your car insurance claim despite meeting the requirements and providing enough evidence, you can file a dispute with the company and request for a review.

If your insurer still denied your claim after they reviewed your dispute, you can seek help from the Insurance Commission^[3] that supervises insurance companies in the Philippines. This government agency assists in the settlement of any claim issue between an insurance provider and a policyholder.

• Email: publicassistance@insurance.gov.ph
• Manila Trunkline: (02) 8523 8461 local 127/103

Final Thoughts

Now that you have a general idea on the car insurance claim process in the Philippines, you should feel more confident the next time you get into a fender bender. But if the entire process still overwhelms you, we’re here to help!

Moneymax can take you through the entire process of filing a car insurance claim. We’ll help you in every step of the process, from accomplishing your requirements to getting you your LOA. And the best part? Our services are free! Get started by clicking below.

Get a Free Car Insurance Quote!

Thinking of switching your car insurance to a different provider? Below is a list of top companies and their features. Compare your options and get a free car insurance quote from Moneymax!

Sources:

• ^[1] PAMI Claims Procedure & Settlement
• ^[2] How Long Does an Insurance Claim Take?
• ^[3] Insurance Commission website