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With our insurance team here to support you every step of the way, filing an insurance claim doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Learn what to do after a loss, what information to gather and when to contact your insurance carrier.
When life takes an unexpected turn, we’re here for you.
Whether you’ve been injured, in an accident or experienced damage to your home, vehicle or other property, use this guide to prepare for the claims process and feel more confident about what comes next.
Insurance is generally designed to protect you when significant unexpected events occur, causing sudden, accidental damage rather than routine maintenance, wear and tear or preventable issues.
Consider filing a claim if:
If you don’t know whether to file a claim, consider getting a repair estimate first. Our team is happy to talk through your situation to help you decide.
Talk With an AgentContact emergency services first if injuries or safety concerns are involved.
Take steps to prevent additional damage from occurring.
Document the damage with photos or video.
For vehicle claims, exchange names, contact information and insurance details with others involved.
Report the claim to your insurance carrier as soon as possible.
For life insurance claims, have basic policy and beneficiary information available, if possible, and be prepared to provide a certified death certificate and any additional documentation requested by the carrier.
Save receipts for any temporary repairs or emergency expenses.
Reach out to a trusted contractor or repair professional if you’d like an estimate before filing certain types of claims.
While your insurance company handles claim decisions, investigations and payments, as your local insurance agency, we’ll support you throughout the experience – answering your questions, providing guidance and helping you if challenges arise.
Protecting what matters most means being there when you need us most.
Several factors can influence whether a claim affects your premium, including the type of claim, claim history and your insurance carrier’s underwriting guidelines.
Filing claims for relatively small incidents that pay out very little after your deductible may result in higher rates for you in the long run, and those claims will follow you even if you switch carriers. Avoiding a claim that may not be necessary will help keep your rates more competitive over time.
To officially begin the claims process, you'll typically need to report the claim directly to your insurance carrier. They handle the claims process from start to finish, including investigation, coverage determination and settlement.
If you experience communication delays or other difficulties with the insurance company, reach out to us for help.
Note: Gate City Insurance Agency does not have claims authority to make a coverage determination in a claim.
Having the following information ready can help streamline the process:
Don’t worry if you don’t have everything immediately. We can help guide you through what’s needed.
Your deductible is your out-of-pocket expense, or the amount you owe, in a covered claim.
Note: For auto insurance claims where you have payment arranged to go directly to your repair shop, you will need to pay your deductible to the shop when you pick up your repaired vehicle.
Once a claim is reported, your insurance carrier will assign a claims adjuster to review the loss. The adjuster may:
Your adjuster will serve as your main point of contact throughout the process and can answer any questions about claim status, payments and timing.
From saving on auto insurance to taking care of loved ones, our agents work tirelessly to provide you with the best coverage – protecting what matters most.
Estimate life insurance needs, budget for long-term care and everything in between with our helpful lineup of insurance calculators.
Products and services offered through Gate City Insurance Agency are:
| Not a Deposit | Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency | Not Guaranteed by Gate City Bank | May Lose Value |
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