Glossary

Claim number

The unique reference an insurer assigns when a loss is reported, used to track every call, document and payment on that claim.

Also called: claim reference number, claim ID

Filing a Claim

A claim number is the identifier an insurance company gives a claim when it is first reported. It ties together everything about that loss: the police report, photos, estimates, recorded statements, medical bills, rental authorizations and payments. Insurers typically issue it at first notice of loss, whether by phone, app or website, and send it to you along with the contact details of the assigned claims adjuster.

It is separate from your policy number. The policy number identifies your contract with the insurer; the claim number identifies one event. A single crash can produce several claim numbers, for example one under your own collision coverage and another when you claim against the other driver's insurer as a third-party claim.

Keep the number handy and use it every time. Body shops, rental car companies, medical providers, tow yards and the other driver's insurer will ask for it, and putting it on every email and document prevents misfiled paperwork and delays. If you file a complaint with your state insurance department, include the claim number so the regulator can find the file. Write it down with the date you reported the loss and the adjuster's name and direct line.

Last reviewed October 4, 2026

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Related terms

First notice of loss The first report to your insurer that a crash, theft or other loss has happened, which opens the claim and starts the clock on handling it. Claims adjuster The insurance company employee or contractor who investigates a claim, decides what the policy covers and sets how much is paid. First-party claim A claim you make under your own insurance policy, such as collision, comprehensive, PIP or uninsured motorist coverage. Third-party claim A claim you make against another driver's insurance for damage or injuries that driver caused, rather than against your own policy. Declarations page The summary page of an auto policy listing who and what is insured, the coverages, limits, deductibles, premium and policy period.

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Car insurance phishing, text and call scams Emails, texts and calls that impersonate car insurers and warranty firms: how to spot them and what to do if you clicked, paid or shared personal details. How to file a car insurance claim, step by step The steps from the scene of the accident to the final payment, what to have ready when you call, and the deadlines insurers must meet. How to file a complaint against a car insurance company When and how to complain to your state insurance department about a car insurer, what to include, what regulators can and cannot do, and other options. Scams that target drivers after an accident The scams that follow a crash, from tow trucks you did not call to runners, clinic referrals, fake adjusters and buried deductibles, and how to avoid each one. What to do after a car accident A step-by-step plan for the scene, the first day and the following weeks after a crash, so you stay safe, meet legal duties and protect your claim.

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After-accident checklist and information form A step-by-step checklist for the scene of a car accident and a form for the details to exchange, which you can print or keep on your phone.