Third party claims FAQ

If you were in an auto accident with a USAA member, you can report a claim online. Online reporting is available 24/7.

Providing a police report is optional. It’s helpful for claims that involve injuries or multiple people, or when it's unclear who's at fault.

After you open a claim, it’s assigned to an adjuster. They might reach out for more information or may process the claim with what you gave us.

Insurance companies typically try to reach a settlement on their own. When they can’t, they may get help from other parties, like legal advisors or accident reconstruction experts.

If a member is at fault for the claim, the amount depends on the extent of the damage, their auto coverage and their policy limits.

The amount can also vary based on the state laws and regulations. States have different requirements for coverage types and minimums.

It depends on your state’s negligence laws.

In no-fault states, you and the other driver can both receive benefits from your insurance companies, regardless of who caused the accident.

In at-fault states, the responsible party’s insurance typically covers the costs.

You can check your claim status in our online status portal.

Yes, an adjuster will contact you after you submit your claim.

We'll send a registration email to the address you provided. Follow the instructions to register.

If you didn’t get an email, contact your adjuster.

To access the status portal, you need to be the vehicle owner.

To give us more information, you can use the email address your adjuster gave you when they first contacted you.

Yes, but first you should file your claim and let us speak with the other parties.

After that, we’ll help you review your options for how to get estimates and repairs for your vehicle.

Depending on the method of inspection, it can take up to 7 business days to get and review your estimate.

We'll let you know when it’s approved.

If you use a USAA-preferred repair shop, we’ll pay the shop directly.

If you use a different shop or choose not to get repairs, we’ll pay you or others who may have a financial interest in the car, such as the lienholder.

Repairs can begin after your adjuster approves the estimate. You can use a USAA-preferred shop for repairs or the shop of your choice.

Hidden damage can change the cost of your repair. We need to review any supplemental repairs before they’re made.

We’ll work with the shop to understand the damage and repair costs. Your adjuster will update your claim with any extra covered damage.

If your car isn't safe to drive and you need a rental right away, we recommend contacting your insurance carrier.

If we accept responsibility for the accident, you can get rental reimbursement if your car isn't drivable or when the shop starts repairs.