When To And How To Submit A Property Damage Claim

Property Damage Defined

Property damage refers to any damage or destruction to another person's property. This can include damage to a car or other vehicle, damage to a home or building, or damage to other personal belongings.

In the context of car insurance, property damage typically refers to damage to a vehicle that has occurred as a result of an accident or other covered events, such as a natural disaster or theft (depending on your policy).

When you experience any type of property damage, you may file a claim with your insurance company in order to have the damages repaired or covered by your policy.

The types of property damage claims (all types of insurance policies)

There are many types of property damage claims that a person can file with their insurance company. The most common type of property damage claim is a car insurance claim, which is filed when a vehicle is damaged in an accident or other covered event. This can include damage caused by another driver, damage caused by a natural disaster, or damage caused by theft (as mentioned above).

Another common type of property damage claim is a homeowner's insurance claim, which is filed when an individual's home or other property is damaged or destroyed. This can include damage caused by natural disasters, such as floods, fires, or hurricanes, as well as damage caused by human actions, such as vandalism or theft.

Additionally, there are several other types of property damage claims that can be filed depending on the type of insurance and damage, such as business interruption insurance or loss of use insurance (these specific types of claims aren’t covered in this blog post).

When to Submit a Property Damage Claim

The most obvious time to submit a property damage claim is after an accident. If you are involved in an accident and another driver is at fault, their liability insurance will cover the damages to your vehicle. If you are at fault, your collision coverage will cover the damages to your own vehicle. However, there are other situations where you may need to submit a property damage claim, such as if your vehicle is damaged in a natural disaster or is stolen.

It's important to note that there is a time limit for submitting a property damage claim, which is known as the statute of limitations.

The statute of limitations varies from state to state, but it is typically between two and four years. If you wait too long to submit your claim, you may be barred from receiving any money from your insurer. This is why it’s vital that you start the claims process as soon as an accident has happened, even if you’re not at-fault.

How to Submit a Property Damage Claim

Submitting a property damage claim is straightforward.

The first step is to contact your insurance company and notify them of the loss. They will then assign a claims adjuster to handle your claim. The claims adjuster will investigate the loss and determine how much your insurance company will pay for the damages.

You will need to provide the following information when submitting your claim:

• Your policy number
• The date and time of the loss
• A description of the damages
• The names and contact information of any witnesses
• A police report, if applicable
• Photos or videos of the damages
• Repair estimates, if available

It's important to keep in mind that your insurance company will only pay for damages that are covered under your policy. If you only have liability coverage, your insurance company will not pay for damages to your own vehicle. If you have collision coverage, your insurance company will pay for damages to your own vehicle, but you will be responsible for paying your deductible (if interested, you can check out LOOP's coverage options here).

If the damages are covered under your policy and the claims adjuster determines that the damages exceed the value of your vehicle, your insurance company will pay you the actual cash value of your vehicle. The actual cash value is the market value of your vehicle immediately before the loss, minus any depreciation (i.e. loss of value over time).

Understanding when and how to submit a property damage claim in car insurance is important so that you can protect yourself and your vehicle. It's important to be aware of the statute of limitations and to gather all the necessary information before you call your insurer.

If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to contact your insurance company for specific guidance and information.

Bonus: can you file a property damage claim on your taxes?

You may be able to file a property damage claim as a tax deduction in some cases. If the property damage is caused by a disaster that is declared by the federal government, you may be able to claim the cost of repairs as a casualty loss on your taxes.

To claim a casualty loss, the damage must be sudden, unexpected, and not caused by your own actions. The amount of the loss can be the cost of repairs or the decrease in the value of your property as a result of the damage. The total loss must be reduced by $100 and also by 10% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). The remaining amount can be claimed as a deduction on your taxes.

It's important to consult with a tax professional or the IRS to confirm the specific requirements and to understand how the tax code applies to your specific situation. Also, if you receive an insurance settlement, you will need to report the money you received on your taxes, as it may be considered as taxable income.

Enjoyed this blog post? Check out our other blog posts that cover other important info about car insurance here.