How to File a USAA Car Insurance Claim

Written By: The Champion Firm Team

Date Posted: 01.23.24

Category: Personal Injury Car Accident

Opening A Claim With USAA in Georgia

If you’re involved in a car accident in Marietta and need to deal with USAA for insurance, whether as a policyholder or because the other driver is covered by USAA, setting up a claim is your initial step.

Known for their commitment to Armed Services members and their families, USAA is a major player in automobile insurance.

At The Champion Firm, we do more than just assist with opening a claim with USAA in Georgia; we help people who have suffered personal injuries in motor vehicle accidents recover from their losses.

Insurance companies, including USAA, aim to minimize payouts. Our role is to protect your rights and ensure you get fair compensation for both property damage and personal injuries.

When you’ve been injured in a car accident, contact a Marietta car accident lawyer at The Champion Firm.

Our team is committed to guiding you through both your property damage and personal injury claims, ensuring your rights are fully protected.

Call us today at (404) 596-8044 to get the top-rated client service and aggressive legal representation you need to seek fair compensation.

Who is USAA Insurance?

The United Services Automobile Association, more commonly known as USAA, is a Texas-based financial services company that only allows current or former members of the Armed Services, and their family members, to join.

Among the services USAA provides is automobile insurance. If you have USAA insurance, you are probably familiar with the company’s reputation for great customer service.

USAA’s claims phone number is 1-800-531-8722. If you are a USAA member, you can log in to your account at USAA.com to report your claim and track its status

While USAA’s reputation for customer service may be well deserved, do not let this allow you to become complacent when dealing with USAA.

Like all other insurance companies, USAA wants to save as much money as possible when paying out claims.

What Happens After a Claim with USAA Has Been Made?

Once a car accident claim has been opened by a USAA adjuster, the claim will be assigned to someone to investigate and handle the claim.

If the at-fault driver filed the claim, the adjuster will likely call you to get your version of events.

It is not a good idea to give a recorded statement to another driver’s insurance company.

If USAA is your insurance company you will need to comply with any requests for information, including requests for statements.

This is because your insurance policy with USAA, like all insurance policies, has a cooperation clause that says you must cooperate with the insurance company.

Use a Marietta Car Accident Attorney to Communicate with USAA

After a car accident, handling discussions with insurance companies like USAA can be tricky. Direct communication may lead to situations where the insurance company could use your statements to weaken your claim, especially regarding personal injuries.

This is why The Champion Firm steps in. As experienced personal injury attorneys in Marietta, we manage these communications to safeguard your interests.

We understand the tactics insurance companies might use and take special care to make sure your rights and accident claims are protected.

Property Damage vs. Bodily Injury Claims in Georgia

car accident in mariettaCar accident claims generally involve two components: the property damage claim and the bodily injury claim.

Some insurance companies assign separate adjusters to handle each claim, while others use the same adjuster to handle both the property damage and bodily injury claims.

If you have USAA insurance and medical payments coverage, USAA will likely assign a medical pay adjuster to process your medical bills.

Claims for property damage are typically addressed before claims for bodily injuries. This order is due to the straightforward and definite nature of property damage claims. The value of property damage becomes apparent soon after the accident, making the claims more clear-cut.

On the other hand, the full value of a bodily injury claim may not be known for months or years as the injured party receives medical treatment for their injuries.

For your property damage claim, USAA may send a field adjuster to inspect your vehicle, or it may simply ask you to take it to a local body shop and get an estimate. If your vehicle is totaled, it will offer you the actual cash value of your vehicle.

If your car is repairable, it will pay for your car repairs and any diminished value damages. Regardless of whether your car is totaled or is being repaired, you should ask USAA to pay for your rental car while your car is unavailable.

Once your property damage claim is resolved, you can worry about recovering from your injuries. If you are submitting bills to USAA medical payments coverage, you should be aware that USAA can be difficult to deal with on these claims.

In our experience, USAA scrutinizes medical bills for payment under medical coverage probably more than any other insurance company.

USAA frequently challenges the reasonableness of the charges and whether the medical treatment was a result of the accident. USAA also frequently requires excessive documentation and records to challenge the claims.

USAA will likely use a physician or chiropractor to review your records and determine whether med pay will provide coverage to pay medical bills.

If you are dealing with USAA’s liability coverage for your bodily injury claim, then you should not go it alone. It is always a good idea to have an experienced personal injury attorney in Marietta, GA on your side if you are injured.

If you are handling the claim yourself, then you should make sure you are fully aware of all the damages you are entitled to claim and what a fair amount for each category of damages.

A frequent source of disagreement when USAA handles a bodily injury claim is the value of your past and future lost income and past and future pain and suffering, which you are entitled to receive after a car accident in Georgia.

If you try to settle the claim yourself and you reach a settlement, then USAA will ask that you sign a release. This is just one of the many reasons you need an experienced personal injury attorney on your side. The language included in the release can harm your ability to recover further damages, especially if you need to make an uninsured motorist claim.

If you are a USAA insured and are dealing with USAA’s uninsured motorist coverage, then the same advice applies: Get an experienced personal injury attorney to represent you.

Contact a Marietta Personal Injury Attorney

When dealing with a car accident claim, especially with USAA, having a legal team that’s achieved over $100 million in compensation for clients can make all the difference.

At The Champion Firm, we’re not just about numbers; our client testimonials speak volumes about our commitment and the personal touch we bring to each case.

Our clients have consistently found us to be reliable, responsible, and deeply invested in their welfare. We handle every case with the care it deserves and strive to understand and empathize with what our clients are going through.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident and need to file a claim with USAA, let us be your voice. Our team is here to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries, property damage, and other losses. Call us at (404) 596-8044 for top-rated service and aggressive legal representation that puts your needs first.

About the Author

The Champion Firm is a full-service personal injury law firm serving the greater Metro Atlanta area. Our award-winning team of attorneys specializes in car accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, and slip-and-fall cases. Learn more about our team here.