What Happens After You File a Car Insurance Claim in Lubbock, TX?
You’ve been in an accident in Lubbock. You call the insurance company, file the claim, get a claim number and then suddenly there are adjusters, estimates, deductibles, repair shops, payments, approvals, and sometimes a completely different repair estimate than the one you started with.
If you’ve never been through a collision claim before, it can feel like everyone understands the process except you. The good news is that the basic process is easier to understand once you know who does what and what happens next. For most collision repairs, the process looks something like this:
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Claim is filed | The accident is reported and the insurance company opens the claim. |
| 2. Deductible & payment | You determine what deductible applies and how the claim will be paid. |
| 3. Initial estimate | The insurer evaluates the visible damage and prepares an estimate. |
| 4. You choose the shop | You decide which collision repair facility will repair your vehicle. |
| 5. Vehicle is inspected | The shop examines the vehicle and may find damage not visible initially. |
| 6. Shop & insurer coordinate | Additional repair needs, documentation, and payment questions are handled. |
| 7. Repairs begin | Body, structural, paint, parts, calibration, and other repairs are completed. |
| 8. Final payment & pickup | Repairs are checked, payments are finalized, and the vehicle is returned to you. |
You File the Insurance Claim
After an accident, the insurance claim creates the file that will be used to handle the covered damage. You should also receive a claim number and contact information for the person handling your claim. Keep Your Claim Information in One Place:
- Claim number
- Insurance company
- Adjuster’s name
- Adjuster’s phone number
- Adjuster’s email
- Photos
- Police-report information
- Tow information
- Repair estimates
Understand Your Deductible and How Insurance Payment Works
This is probably the question you should care about first: “How much am I actually going to have to pay?” If you are using your own collision coverage, your deductible is generally the amount of the covered loss you are responsible for before the insurer’s payment.
For example:
| Covered repair amount | Policy deductible | Simplified insurer portion* | Your deductible* |
|---|---|---|---|
| $4,500 | $500 | $4,000 | $500 |
| $7,500 | $1,000 | $6,500 | $1,000 |
| $12,000 | $1,500 | $10,500 | $1,500 |
*Simplified examples only. Actual coverage and payment depend on the individual policy and claim.
The Texas Department of Insurance explains that when you use your own insurance, the company subtracts your deductible from its claim payment and you owe that deductible to the repair shop. Your Deductible Usually Doesn't Change Because the Repair Estimate Changes. If you are unsure which deductible applies or whether you are using your own coverage versus another driver's liability coverage, ask the insurer handling the claim.
Who Actually Receives the Insurance Check?
Depending on the insurance company, policy, financing arrangement, and claim, payment may be issued:
- Directly to you
- Directly to the collision repair shop
- To both you and the shop
- To you and a lienholder or lender
Don't assume that receiving an insurance check means the claim or repair process is completely finished. There may still be additional repair needs discovered once the vehicle is inspected more thoroughly.
You Choose the Collision Repair Shop
After the insurance company writes an estimate, you may be given the name of a repair facility or a list of “preferred” shops. You are not necessarily required to use one of them.
The Texas Department of Insurance specifically says Texas drivers have the right to choose the repair shop for their vehicle. TDI also notes that while an insurer may provide a list of body shops, you can choose another facility. Texas Department of Insurance Texas law also prohibits an insurer from telling or suggesting that a policyholder must use a specific repair facility or one from its preferred list for covered repairs.
So if you've already decided you want your vehicle repaired at Sideways Collision Center in Lubbock, you can simply tell the insurance company:
“I already have a collision repair shop I would like to use.”
Your Insurance Company and Your Repair Shop Have Different Jobs. The insurance company determines what it owes under the policy or claim. The collision repair shop evaluates and performs the repairs the vehicle needs. Sometimes those two processes line up perfectly. Sometimes additional information has to be exchanged between the shop and insurer. That is a normal part of collision repair.
5 Things Lubbock Drivers Should Remember About the Insurance Process
1. Know your deductible.
Find out what you'll likely owe before repairs begin.
2. The first estimate may not be the final estimate.
Additional damage can become visible after the vehicle is inspected or disassembled.
3. You choose your collision repair shop.
Your insurer may recommend one, but Texas drivers retain the right to choose their repair facility. Texas Department of Insurance
4. A higher estimate doesn't automatically mean the shop increased the price.
The repair scope may have changed because additional damage was discovered.
5. Ask what your vehicle is waiting on.
If the repair isn't moving, find out whether the vehicle is waiting on parts, insurance review, additional documentation, or actual repair work.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Insurance Claims in Lubbock
Do I have to use the body shop my insurance company recommends?
No. Texas drivers have the right to choose their repair facility. Your insurance company may recommend shops, but Texas law restricts insurers from telling or suggesting that you must use a particular shop or a facility on its preferred list for covered repairs.
Does Sideways Collision Center work with my insurance company?
Sideways Collision Center works with all insurance companies and helps coordinate approvals, documentation, estimates, and claim questions throughout the repair process.
Is the insurance estimate the final repair price?
Not necessarily. The initial estimate is based on what can be identified at that point. Additional damage may be found when the repair facility examines or disassembles the damaged area.
Does my deductible increase if more damage is found?
Your deductible generally does not restart simply because additional covered damage is discovered. Your deductible is determined by your policy; TDI says that when using your own insurance, the deductible is subtracted from the claim payment.
