In a wreck? Your guide to getting back on the road quickly

When you're in an auto accident, the last thing you want to do is struggle navigating the claims process with your insurance company.

This step-by-step guide can help you through your auto insurance claim with USAA and get you back on the road as quickly as possible.

While at the scene of the accident

• Stay at the accident scene.
• If you or someone else in the accident is injured and needing immediate attention, contact emergency services at 911.
• Take pictures of the accident. Try to collect a record of how the accident took place as best as you can, including the direction each vehicle was traveling, the speed of each car, etc.
• Gather the details of the other drivers and cars, including makes and models of the vehicles involved. Collect driver, registration and insurance information for the other drivers. Collect any witness statements or names of witnesses if possible.

Reporting and settling your claim with USAA

The USAA Mobile App and online Claims Center are the primary tools you'll need to file, get status updates and settle your claim.

You can upload pictures and message your adjuster at any time. You can also arrange to use any policy benefits that you might have like rental car assistance.

The Claims Center on the USAA Mobile app will be a valuable tool to help make this challenging event less of a headache.

From the start to the end of your claim

There are five basic parts to your claim. Each part may vary depending on the complexity of your accident. We'll dive deeper on each of these parts to help make you more aware and in control of your claim.

1. Initial report

When you first notify USAA of your accident, we'll ask for accident details to better understand what took place and what your next steps will be. Some claims are more straightforward than others. For example, a simple roadside assistance or glass-only claim likely won't require additional action or reporting from you, while a collision accident with another vehicle will.

Your initial report will include the information you gathered immediately after the accident. An assigned adjuster will help be the quarterback for your claim. They'll help you go through the rest of the steps to get your vehicle repaired or replaced and settle expenses for things like medical costs or property damage incurred.

2. Investigation

Your adjuster will review all your information from your initial report and set up next steps.

You'll have a timeline within the Claims Center that lays out what USAA is doing and what may be needed from you. Your adjuster will make an initial assessment of what took place in the accident. Police reports, your information, pictures and any statements submitted will help to determine if you were at fault.

If at fault, you're responsible for your policy deductible. Deductibles are typically collected by your repair shop prior to work starting on your vehicle.

At-fault accidents can also come with other issues, like damages to other people's property, injuries or other things you may be liable for. These aspects of your claim can require your adjuster to work with several other parties like the other driver or property owners' insurance company, medical service organizations and legal professionals.

3. Estimate for your repairs

Now it's time to get your vehicle inspected and repaired, if possible. Where you choose to take your vehicle for repairs may impact the timeline to handling your claim. In most states, a virtual inspection process is available. You'll receive instructions after you file your claim. You may be able to have an estimate in as little as four hours when you use our photo estimate tool.

We have a network of shops available to repair your vehicle, or you can have your vehicle repaired at any shop of your choice. Your policy will cover the reasonable costs of repairs no matter where you go. If you do choose a USAA-preferred shop, the payments are made to the shop on your behalf less any deductible.

USAA will work to compile a market valuation report to establish the actual cash value of your vehicle if your car is declared a total loss. The valuation report is based on your vehicle's condition before the loss and compares it to similar vehicles sold or available for sale in your area.

4. Payment to you

When the work is done, the repair shop will collect payment from you or from USAA. Typically, if a deductible is owed, the repair shop will collect that from you directly before repair work starts. If you choose to go to an independent shop or a repair facility that's not within USAA's preferred shop network, payment may be made to you through an electronic funds transfer or check. After you've received funds, you can pay the repair facility.

With a repaired vehicle, you're back on the road and your adjuster will continue to work to close and settle your claim with other parties that may have been involved.

If your car is deemed a total loss, we'll provide you with the market valuation report, your settlement amount and a list of the documents you'll need to provide to complete a vehicle transfer to USAA. We're basically buying your totaled car.

Your total loss settlement can be mailed by check or electronically deposited into your checking or savings account. If you have a loan on your vehicle, your payment is typically first made to your loan provider to pay off the outstanding balance. You would receive the difference of what your car's actual cash value is and your loan balance amount.

If your vehicle was worth less than your car loan amount, or you're upside-down in your loan, any guaranteed asset protection, or GAP coverage, that you may have had with your loan would help offset the loan balance. If you don't have GAP coverage, you would be responsible for paying the balance on the loan.

5. Settling the claim if others are involved

In an at-fault accident, you may be considered liable for the damages to the vehicles or property damaged in the accident. Additionally, injuries are common with automotive accidents and your liability coverage may pay for medical services received.

Your liability coverage will typically have a limit that will compensate each injured person involved and another limit for the total liability that your policy will pay out to all injured parties. It's not uncommon for legal actions to happen as part of your accident.

If the other driver is injured and requires significant medical and rehabilitative care to get back to their before-accident life, liability coverage can quickly be exhausted, and you could be financially responsible for expenses and awards or judgments above your liability limits.

To best protect your financial situation, make sure you carry an adequate liability protection amount. It's wise to have your liability coverage limits cover at least the amount of your net worth, which is everything you own minus everything you owe.

Review your coverage.

Don't wait until an accident happens to know what your policy covers. You should review all your insurance policies at least yearly to ensure you have the benefits you need and proper protections in place.

Check for things like roadside assistance benefits and rental car coverage. If your policy doesn't have those features or added coverages, you might be happier finding out in the comfort of your home versus on the side of the road when you need them.

Review any changes to your personal and financial situation. Did you move? Are you working from home more and driving less? What about a job change or a big raise? Life events like these should serve as a signal for you to review your overall financial position and see if tweaking your insurance is needed.

Quick tips

• Download the USAA Mobile App.
• Review your insurance policies at least yearly and with life changes.
• File and manage your claims through the USAA Claims Center.
• For more information, visit the USAA Auto Insurance Claims FAQ.