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Third-party auto insurance claims

Find resources on starting and managing an auto claim after an accident with a USAA member.

Report an auto claim

Check claim status (Opens new window)

What’s a third-party claim?

If you get into an accident that wasn’t your fault, you can start a claim through the other driver’s insurance as a third party. 

For example, if a USAA member hits your parked car, you can go through us instead of using your insurance company.

You can report a claim as the driver or passenger, or if you’re another party representing someone in the accident, like a legal guardian or lawyer.

If we accept liability, we’ll cover the costs to fix or replace your car, no matter which repair shop you use.

How the auto claims process works

We’re committed to making the process simple and keeping you informed.

Steps to complete How the auto claims process works

  1. Report your claim

    Tell us what happened. Get started on usaa.com.

  2. Get more details

    We’ll review what happened and check what the USAA policy covers.

  3. Evaluate the claim

    We’ll go over the details and figure out what to pay based on who’s responsible.

  4. Settle the claim

    If covered, we’ll make a payment to you or other third parties like repair shops.

What you’ll need to file a third-party claim

The more details you can give us, the faster we can complete the claim. If possible, provide these:

  • USAA member’s name

  • Their USAA policy number

  • Date of the accident

  • Makes of the vehicles involved

  • Basic details of the accident

  • Police report information, if one was made

  • Names of all drivers, passengers and witnesses

Extra perks with the USAA Direct Repair Network

You’ll get a few added benefits if you choose from our partner repair shops. They offer:

  • A limited lifetime warranty.
  • An estimate that's available online 24/7.
  • An Enterprise Rent-a-Car® on-site or nearby.

For more information, call us at 800-531-USAA (8722).

Are you an insurance carrier or a body shop?

Insurance adjusters can file a claim for their customers.

If you work for a repair shop and need claim information, use our body shop portal.

Third-party auto insurance claims FAQ

We conduct an independent investigation and base the decision on a number of factors. These include laws, policy conditions and limits, regulations, and facts of the accident.

It depends on how many vehicles were involved and if people were hurt. Simple claims could take a few business days, and more complex ones could take longer.

To help us resolve your claim more quickly:

  1. File a claim on usaa.com. If you don’t have all the details, you can add more later.
  2. Use the photo estimation tool. This could let you get an estimate quicker.
  3. Schedule your repair as soon as possible. The quicker your repair is completed, the faster the claim will pay out and close. Learn more about the most convenient way to have your car repaired through our preferred network of repair shops.
  4. Provide us with an address where we can send payment for any amounts owed to you directly.

You can:

Payments may be sent to you, your vehicle's lienholder or another authorized party.

If the payment is eligible to be issued in your name only, we'll send a paper check.

View all third-party claims FAQ

Ready to report an auto claim?

Report an auto claim

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