How to File a Car Insurance Claim: Complete Guide for Policyholders
Published: September 29, 2020 | Updated: October 8, 2020 | Posted by: Ricky Publico | Car Insurance
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 will eventually arrive at a situation where you’ll need help filing a car insurance claim. In 2018 alone, Metro Manila had at least 100,000 recorded accidents[1] that were either fatal or injured people.
Dealing with situations like a car accident or car theft is stressful as it is. You do not 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 will 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 process of filing a claim 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.
Table of Contents
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 to 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.
Read more: 7 Types of Car Insurance Claims You Can File in the Philippines
How to File a Claim for Car Insurance
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.
What are the Car Insurance Claim Requirements?
When filing a car insurance claim, your insurance provider will require you to present certain documents. 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 is 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 their 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
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)
Read more: How to Get an Affidavit for Car Insurance Claim
What is a Certificate of No Claim in Car 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 him or her to file a double claim in the future.
If the third party doesn’t have a comprehensive car insurance, he or she can still secure a Certificate of No Claim to his or her CTPL insurance provider. Note that most providers charge PHP 50 – PHP 100 to produce a Certificate of No Claim, while the more high-end providers don’t charge anything.
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 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.
My Claim Was Rejected. What is the Reason?
Not all claims end up getting approved. A claim may get rejected if the type of vehicle damage is not covered by the policy. Failure to follow the terms and conditions of your car insurance may also lead to a claim rejection.
Here are the common factors that may disqualify you from filing a car insurance claim.
- Unpaid car insurance premiums
- Damage caused by a natural disaster if your policy does not 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 is not 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 are entitled to and when you can make a claim. Also, make sure to pay all your premiums to avoid getting your insurance claim denied.
Read more: 8 Possible Reasons Your Car Insurance Claim Got 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: (632) 523-84-61 to 70 local 127/103
- Manila Direct: (632) 404-17-58
- Cebu District Office Direct: (032) 254-08-61
- Davao District Office Direct: (082) 327-36-51
Final Thoughts
Now that you have a general idea on filing a car insurance claim, 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 will 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!
| Car Insurance Company | Features |
|---|---|
MAPFRE Insular |
|
| New India Assurance |
|
| SGI Philippines |
|
| Stronghold Insurance |
|
| The Mercantile Insurance Corporation |
|
Sources:
- [1] MMDA Road Safety Unit Annual Report 2018
- [2] How Long Does an Insurance Claim Take?
- [3] Insurance Commission website
Ricky is the zaniest Senior Content Writer at Moneymax, with over five years of writing experience in the digital marketing industry. He is a huge fan of pro wrestling, smartphones, and binge-watching. Follow Ricky on LinkedIn.
