1.    Collect Information! In order to file an insurance claim, you will need lots of information and there may be no other chance to gather it after you leave the scene of the accident. A standard form will help you organize what you need to know about the other person, witnesses, insurance companies, and the scene itself. Gathering all the information can save days of frustration later.

2.    Each insurance company has its own procedure for taking the information that is part of filing a claim. It may include doing it on the internet, over the phone, or in person to your agent. Three pieces of advice: document everything (especially the people you talk to), be cautious, and be organized. If you are making a claim against your own policy, you are considered an "insured." If you are making a claim against the other party's policy, you are considered a "claimant."

3.    The next step is to take the car to a body shop to estimate the cost of repairs. Having your body shop complete an estimate will help speed things up because no work can begin until there is a common understanding between the shop and the insurance company about what it will take to repair your car. The shop may also be able to pre-order parts and schedule an appointment. They can also make rental car arrangements for you

4.    Once a claim has been opened, the insurance company will work to determine who has "liability." They need to determine who was at fault and whether the appropriate insurance coverage was in force at the time of the accident. This may take several days if the insurance company has trouble getting ahold of the parties. After a claim has been opened, the insurance company should authorize the rental car, if you're a claimant or if you have rental car coverage on your policy.

5.    Insurance companies will also want to assess the damage themselves. They may send out their own appraiser, ask you to bring your car into an estimating office, or have a preferred shop perform the estimate. None of these options infringe on your right to have the car repaired at the shop of your choice.

6.    Once your car is in the auto body shops for repairs, additional damage may be discovered that will require the insurance company to authorize these "supplemental" repairs. This can add additional time to the days your car is in the auto body shop.