Insurance Claims FAQ

Answers to some of your common questions about insurance claims.

General Claims

1

Should I file a claim?

If you’re not sure about filing a claim, you can always ask your Farmers® agent. When you file a claim on your own policy, you’re responsible for your deductible even if you are not at fault. If you’re not at fault, we work to get reimbursement from the at-fault party’s insurance company and then reimburse you for your deductible.

2

Am I covered?

Once you file a claim, a Farmers claims representative will contact you to review your policy coverages and talk about how they apply to your claim.

3

Will filing a claim affect my premium?

It could, because your claims history is one of the many variables that may be factored into your policy’s premium. Your driving record, at-fault accidents and where you live are among other factors that may be taken into consideration. Talk to your Farmers agent if you have questions.

4

Do I need a police report?

Having a police report after something like an accident may be helpful and can simplify the claims process, but you can still file an insurance claim without one. Some areas don’t send police to minor auto accidents with no injuries or to car break-ins. However, police reports may be required for certain claims — for example, a hit-and-run accident. When in doubt, contact your local police department to ask if a police report is recommended.

5

How do I send receipts or documents?

You can upload documents to a claim either by logging in or, if you don’t have a login, you can upload them here.

 

 


Auto Claims

1

What is the Guaranteed Repair Program?

Farmers has a network of high-quality repair shops all over the country. These shops employ highly trained technicians and provide a Farmers-backed written warranty for repairs as long as you own your vehicle. These shops also have certifications from vehicle manufacturers so you can feel confident they know how to repair your vehicle.

While the choice of where you repair your vehicle is entirely up to you, we offer this program to our customers because it lets you work directly with the shop to schedule the repair when it’s convenient for you. You can bypass having to get a Farmers-approved estimate before starting repairs.

Find Guaranteed Repair shops in your area.

2

What if I’m not at fault for damage to my vehicle?

You can choose whether to file the claim under your Farmers car insurance policy or with the other person’s insurance company. If you file under your Farmers policy, you can use the benefits of your policy to get the process moving. It would be up to you to pay your deductible, but we would seek reimbursement for you from the other insurance company.

If you choose to file with the other insurance company, you would have to wait until they have determined that their insured party was responsible for the damage before they will work with you on repairs.

3

I’m filing a car insurance claim. Do I have to have a police report?

When something happens involving your car, you can file a claim without a police report, although having a report may be helpful. It’s not always possible to get a police report, especially for minor accidents where no one is hurt or for accidents in parking lots. But you may be required to have a police report if your claim involves a hit-and-run accident. And having a police report can simplify the claims process. Contact your local police department to ask if a police report is recommended.

4

What if someone was injured in the accident?

You can file the claim online, and we will assign a claims representative to review the details and work through the process with you.

5

When can I get my rental car?

Typically, if included in your policy, rental car coverage applies if you’re repairing your vehicle through your policy, which means the damage to your vehicle exceeds your deductible. Your rental coverage kicks in if your vehicle is not drivable or, if it is drivable, once the vehicle is in the shop for repairs. Rental coverage is not available for drivable vehicles while you wait for your repair appointment.

6

What if my car is a total loss?

Generally, a vehicle is considered a total loss when the cost to repair it is more than the value of the vehicle. A claims representative will review the damage and let you know if your car is considered a total loss. They’ll walk you through each step of the settlement process.

 

 


Roadside Assistance and Glass Repairs

1

I need to upload receipts for towing or glass repairs. How do I do it?

It’s easy. Receipts and any other documents can be uploaded to a claim by logging in. If you don’t have a login, you can upload them here. 

 

 


Homeowner Claims

1

How can I figure out if I should file a home insurance claim?

When something happens to your home, your Farmers agent can always help you decide if you want to file a homeowners insurance claim. Keep in mind that when you file a claim on your own policy, you are responsible for your deductible even if you are not at fault. If you are not at fault, we will seek reimbursement from the at-fault party’s insurance company and then reimburse you for your deductible.

2

Am I covered under my home insurance policy?

That’s a question for your Farmer’s claims representative. Once you’ve filed a homeowners insurance claim, they’ll contact you to go over your policy coverages and how they apply to your claim.

3

I’m worried filing a claim will affect my homeowners insurance premium. Will it?

It may. Your claims history is one of many variables that are considered when your premium is calculated. Where you live is another. Your Farmers agent can answer any questions.

4

When I file a home insurance claim, how do I send in receipts?

If we've set up a CAT Corps unit in your area, let the staff know that you need the services of a Farmers claims representative. Or call the Farmers Claim team at 1-800-435-7764, to open your claim and arrange your initial on-site appointment.

There are two ways upload documents to a homeowners claim. You can log in, or, if you don’t have a login, you can upload them here.

5

How do I find a list of contractors?

Find contractors in your area

6

Will a claims representative come to my home?

We try to handle most claims remotely through photos, mobile apps and even drones. But in certain cases, an on-site inspection is necessary.

 

 


Catastrophe Claims

1

After a disaster, should I file a home, auto or business insurance claim?

In the chaos a catastrophe can cause, there are many things to think about. Your Farmers agent can offer guidance to help you filing a claim. Remember, when you file a claim on your own policy, you’re responsible for paying your deductible to repair your damaged auto, home or business.

2

I’m not sure I’m covered. How can I tell?

After you file a claim, you’ll hear from a Farmers claims representative, who will go over your policy coverages with you, talk about how they apply to your claim and walk you through the process.

3

Will filing a claim affect my premium?

It’s possible. Your claims history is one of many factors that go into calculating your policy’s premium. Your Farmers agent can answer any questions.

4

If I’m filing a catastrophe claim, how do I send receipts or documents?

You can do it from your computer. Just log in to upload documents and receipts to your claim. Don’t have a login? You can upload them here. 

 

 

Business Claims

1

What do I do if my business is closed due to a loss?

Do whatever you have to do to get your business operational as soon as possible. Save any receipts and photograph all damage. You can file a claim for business interruption coverage, and a Farmers claims representative will be in touch to answer your questions, review your policy coverages and help you through the process.

2

What do I do if someone is injured at my business?

You should file a claim even if you’re not sure the injured person is seeking treatment. A Farmers claims representative will help you navigate the claim process.

3

What do I do if an employee is injured?

You can file a workers’ compensation claim online for your injured employee. There are state forms you should review as well.

4

If I’m filing a claim because of an accident or injury, do I need a police report?

It depends. If it’s a minor accident with no injuries, some areas will not send police. Accidents in a parking lot typically will not need a police report. On the other hand, police reports are sometimes required for hit-and-run accidents. Your local police department can tell you if a report is necessary.

 

 

Life Insurance Claims

1

How do I notify Farmers New World Life Insurance Company (FNWL) of a claim?

Please use the following email link to notify us of a claim involving a life insurance policy: life.claims@farmersinsurance.com. You may also call the FNWL Claims Department at 800-238-9671 to report a claim or to speak to a life insurance claims representative. 
 
Please have the following information available, or include as much of the following information in your email as possible:

  • Insured’s full name

  • Insured’s date of birth

  • Insured’s Social Security number 

  • State of residence

  • Policy number(s)

  • Type of claim (death, disability, accelerated benefit, etc.)

  • Your name 

  • If the claimant is someone other than you, please include the name of the claimant and your relationship to the claimant

  • Daytime and evening phone numbers

  • Additional information/comments

*This information is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a contract or a policy of any kind. All coverages are subject to the terms, conditions, special limits and exclusions of your policy and all applicable endorsements. Please contact your assigned claims representative for further information regarding your claim.