Claims FAQ

Auto Insurance Claims

If you’re involved in an auto accident or incident, it’s best to tell your insurance company and start the claim process promptly, but especially when:

• You, your passengers, or others are injured.
• You cause damage to someone's vehicle or property.
• You cause damage to a municipality's property.
• Your, or others’ vehicles are not drivable and/or are at a storage yard.

Property Insurance Claims

Whenever an accident occurs resulting in bodily injury or property damage that will likely exceed your deductible, you should file an insurance claim. Certain types of homeowners, condo, or renters insurance claims may be excluded from the policy, so if you’re unsure whether something is covered, review your insurance policy documents online or call 800-640-2920 and speak with one of our helpful agents who can review your policy. If the damage is caused by an ongoing maintenance issue or a long-term problem that hasn’t been repaired, it may not be covered by the policy.

To report your claim, please call 888-WAWA-CLAIM (929-2252) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Yes, if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss, your homeowners', condo, or renters' policy includes additional living expense coverage. This helps pay for:

• Temporary housing, like hotels or rental properties
• Increased food costs
• Other necessary expenses if you need to temporarily move out

This coverage applies until your home is habitable or you establish a permanent residence elsewhere, subject to the policy limits. Keep all receipts for expenses incurred during this period for consideration under your policy.

You can file an insurance claim by calling 888-WAWA-CLAIM (929-2252). We're available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will get your claim started right away.

Auto Insurance Claims

When filing an auto claim, you must promptly notify your insurance company of an accident, loss, or lawsuit potentially covered by your insurance policy. It’s a good idea to check your auto insurance policy terms for the specific notice timeframes which apply to your particular auto claim. By waiting too long, the insurance company’s investigation may be substantially jeopardized, which may impact your claim settlement and available coverage.

Property Insurance Claims

For most home, condo, or renters insurance claims, you have one year from the date of the loss to report your claim. It’s a good idea to check your policy terms for the specific notice timeframes that apply to your particular claim. The insurance company’s investigation may be substantially jeopardized by waiting too long, which may impact your claim settlement and available coverage.

In California, if your property claim results from a designated State of Emergency, for example, a wildfire, you have two years from the date of loss. However, it’s best to file your claim as soon as possible.

Auto Insurance Claims

When you file an auto claim, you'll be asked to provide some basic details, such as:

• Where and when the accident or incident took place
• Contact information for everyone involved
• Insurance information for everyone involved
• Information about the vehicles involved (Year/Make/Model, license plate, VIN #, color, etc.)
• Description of what happened
• Other pertinent information if available such as time of day, flow of traffic, information for witnesses, etc.
• Photos of vehicle damage and/or the scene of the accident
• Names and badge numbers of any officers who responded to the incident
• A copy of the accident report if there is one

Property (Homeowners, Condo, or Renters) Insurance Claims

When you file a claim for theft or damage that happened at your home, you’ll need to provide:

• Your policy number
• The facts of the incident, such as date, time, what happened
• Any reports from experts or contractors who’ve inspected the damage
• A copy of the police report if there is one
• Optional, but a good idea: take pictures of the damage

Auto Insurance Claims

Since each auto claim is unique, the time to settle a claim can vary greatly. It all depends on the complexity of the incident or accident, the damage incurred, how extensive the repairs are, and many other factors.

Property Insurance Claims

Claims under your homeowners, condo, or renters insurance can take just a few days to resolve or up to several months, depending on the severity of the loss. If your home is rendered uninhabitable due to the damages sustained, the claim could be open until repairs are complete.

Auto Insurance Claims

For claims involving hit-and-run vehicles, unidentified drivers, vandalism, or theft, a police report must be filed with law enforcement withing twenty-four (24) hours, or as soon as practicable. For other losses, it is not required — but it’s always a good idea to let the police know.

Property Insurance Claims

If you’ve been the victim of theft or burglary, you’ll need to file a police report. Other types of losses, like accidental water or smoke damage do not need to be reported to the police.

Auto Claims

It depends. Different factors go into determining whether rates increase after an auto accident, including who is at fault and the total amount of damages. So, it may make sense to pay out of pocket if the damages are less than your policy deductible. However, rates do not typically increase for comprehensive losses or losses where the insured driver is not at fault.

Property Claims

Since most property (homeowners, condo, or renters) insurance offers a discount for being claim-free, your claim history can impact your premium.

No, standard homeowners insurance policies don't cover flood or earthquake damage. Wawanesa’s basic coverage offers:

• Coverage for sudden and accidental water damage (but not flood water from external sources)
• Protection against fire, theft, windstorms, hail, and many other perils

For an additional cost, we offer optional earthquake insurance through our partnership with the California Earthquake Authority (CEA).

To review your current coverage and discuss adding earthquake coverage, please call us at 800-640-2920.

Your deductible is the amount you are responsible for paying before your insurance coverage applies.

• Different coverages may have different deductible amounts
• You choose your deductible amount when purchasing your policy (higher deductibles typically mean lower premiums)
• For claims where another party is at fault, we will attempt to collect your deductible back from the responsible party

For example, if you have a $500 deductible and $2,000 in damage, Wawanesa would pay $1,500 after applying your deductible.

Typically, you can have an insurance claim payment deposited directly to your bank account by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or have a check mailed to you. In some cases, we can pay the auto repair facility or rental car agency directly. Your claim representative will be happy to review the options with you.

Per the policy contract, you have a duty to allow a Wawanesa adjuster to inspect and appraise your vehicle for any damage before you have it repaired or dispose of it. If you do repair your vehicle before an adjuster inspects it, you run the risk of coverage being denied.

Yes, you can use any auto repair facility you like. Or you can use one of our Preferred Repair Network Facilities, where the repairs are guaranteed for as long as you own the vehicle involved in the claim. Find out more about our claims service guarantee.

Your claim representative will work with you to find the most convenient way to get an estimate for your vehicle. For minor auto insurance claims, you may be able to get your estimate by sending us photos of the damage from your mobile device. If this feature is available, you’ll receive an estimate and settlement within a couple of business days.

If there’s a difference in costs, your Wawanesa appraiser will work directly with your auto repair shop to try to reach an agreed cost of repairs and provide an updated estimate if necessary. If you need to submit an estimate for additional damages, you’ll find instructions on the Wawanesa estimate document.

If your vehicle is declared a total loss, Wawanesa will work with you through these steps:

• Our claims adjuster will determine the actual cash value of your vehicle immediately before the loss based on factors such as, but not limited to, mileage, options, and condition.
• Your settlement will be based on the actual cash value of your vehicle, plus any applicable taxes/fees, less your deductible.
• We'll issue payment for the determined value minus your deductible and any applicable fees.
• If you are not retaining the vehicle, you'll need to provide your vehicle title, keys, and complete a power of attorney form. In most cases, we can obtain any needed signatures from you electronically to help expedite your settlement. You will also need to allow us to pick up the vehicle and move to our salvage yard.

If you have gap insurance and still owe money on your loan or lease, this coverage will help pay the difference between the vehicle's value and what you owe. For questions about your specific claim situation, please call your adjuster or our claims department at 888-WAWA-CLAIM (929-2252).

If you have rental car expense coverage on your policy, Wawanesa will cover a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired due to a covered claim subject to your policy limits. This coverage has daily and maximum limits as specified in your policy. Without this coverage, rental car expenses would be your responsibility unless another party is found at fault for the accident. Our claims representatives can help arrange a rental vehicle and explain your coverage options when you report your claim. Learn more about car insurance coverages.

Your deductible is separate from determining who’s at fault in an auto accident. You’ll need to pay your deductible before your insurance coverage takes over in a claim to repair your vehicle. But we may be able to recover your deductible from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

Yes. Your Wawanesa policy’s liability coverage provides for costs incurred to settle and defend any potentially covered claim or suit brought against you.

Once we confirm that the other party is negligent and uninsured, your collision deductible waiver would apply. Your claim representative will explain how your coverage applies to your claim. Please note this only applies to California auto policies.

Once we confirm that the other party is negligent and uninsured, your uninsured motorist property damage coverage will apply. Your claim representative will explain how your coverage applies to your claim. Please note this only applies to California auto policies.

If your vehicle is stolen and not recovered, Wawanesa will handle your claim similarly to a total loss claim. You'll need to:

• File a police report immediately
• Notify us at 888-WAWA-CLAIM (929-2252) to start your claim
• Complete and return the affidavit of theft / proof of loss form we will provide you after you initiate your claim
• Wait for the required waiting period (typically 30 days) to see if the vehicle is recovered
• Provide documentation like your title, keys, and loan information

The fault in an auto accident is determined by investigating the specific circumstances of the incident. Our claims adjusters review may include:

• Police reports
• Statements from all involved parties and witnesses
• Photos of the accident scene and vehicle damage
• Traffic laws and regulations applicable to the situation
• Any available video footage

Your claims adjuster will explain how fault determination affects your claim and what to expect regarding your deductible.

You can use either your Wawanesa insurance coverage or the responsible insurance company — it’s your choice.

As a Wawanesa member, your covered loss will be paid by us. Depending on the auto insurance claim circumstances, we may be able to recover your out-of-pocket expenses from the other at-fault insurance company.

If you dispute your liability, you can ask to have the decision reconsidered. Your Wawanesa policy contract allows us to settle or defend any claim made against you, if appropriate.

Different factors go into determining whether rates increase after an accident. Please call us at 800-640-2920 so we can review your specific situation.

It depends. Each state has its own requirements based on the extent of damages and injuries that resulted from the car accident.

California: You can submit the Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California (SR-1) form online. To submit a SR1 online, please visit www.dmv.ca.gov.

Oregon: You can file an Oregon Traffic Accident and Insurance Report by downloading the necessary forms online. To download the forms, please visit www.oregon.gov.