At the scene
- Get to safety and check for injuries; call 911 if anyone is hurt.
- Call police — a report helps everyone, and is important for injury claims.
- Exchange names, insurers, and policy numbers. Photograph all vehicles, damage, plates, and the scene.
- Note the date, time, location, weather, and road conditions (especially in winter).
- Get contact info for any witnesses.
Filing the claim
- Report to your insurer as soon as reasonably possible.
- Open your PIP claim for any injuries (yours and your passengers').
- For vehicle damage, file under collision (or the at-fault driver's liability), or under comprehensive for deer strikes, hail, and theft.
- Keep a simple log of every call, adjuster name, and claim number.
The total-loss process
A vehicle is "totaled" when repair costs (plus salvage value) approach or exceed its actual cash value (ACV). The insurer pays you the ACV — what your car was worth just before the crash — minus any applicable deductible.
- Review the valuation. Ask for the report behind the offer and check the comparable vehicles used. Correct any wrong mileage, trim, or condition details.
- Add documentation. Recent maintenance, new tires, and options can support a higher ACV.
- Watch the loan gap. If you owe more than the ACV, gap coverage (if you have it) pays the difference.
Diminished value
Even after a quality repair, a vehicle with an accident history can be worth less. In some third-party (other driver at fault) situations, Minnesota drivers may pursue a diminished value claim against the at-fault carrier. Documentation and an independent appraisal are key — and outcomes vary.
Rental coverage
If you carry rental reimbursement, your policy pays for a rental (up to a daily and total cap) while your car is repaired. In an at-fault-other-driver claim, the at-fault carrier may owe a comparable rental. Confirm the limits before you pick up the rental.