Navigating Car Insurance After an Accident: Seeking Guidance

Car accidents can be overwhelming, leaving you with a jumble of emotions and a slew of tasks to tackle. Recently, I found myself in a tricky situation with my car insurance, and I’m reaching out to share my experience and possibly seek advice from others who may have faced a similar scenario.

Last Thursday evening, I was involved in an accident when another driver ran a red light. Thankfully, I walked away without any injuries, but my car suffered significant damage—though it’s not a total loss. In the aftermath of the incident, I was unsure how to proceed. After consulting with AAA, I had my vehicle towed to an auto body shop that they recommended, only to discover later that the shop did not accept my insurance.

Upon returning home, I promptly submitted a claim to my insurance provider, Progressive. Almost immediately, I received an automated text message requesting photos of the damage. Unfortunately, I had a hectic few days ahead which delayed my ability to take the necessary pictures. When I finally set aside some time this evening, I encountered another roadblock: the insurance company required photos of the interior of my vehicle. However, I had handed over the keys to the auto body shop, which is currently closed and won’t reopen until Tuesday morning.

Throughout this experience, I’ve tried to communicate with my claims representative, but we’ve been playing an endless game of phone tag. The uncertainty has left me feeling frustrated and anxious, wondering if I should simply submit whatever photos I am able to take.

As I navigate this complex situation, I would greatly appreciate any insights or advice. Should I go ahead and take photos of the exterior damage only, or is there a way to work around the missing interior shots? If you have faced a similar challenge in the claims process, your experiences would be invaluable to me as I try to figure out my next steps. Thank you in advance for any guidance you can provide!