How to start a State Farm claim
- Phone: 800-732-5246 (800-SF-CLAIM), day or night.
- Online on statefarm.com, or in the State Farm app.
Have ready: date, time and place of the accident, the vehicles involved, what happened, and a description of the damage. Photos help a lot.
If the other driver was at fault and is insured with State Farm, you file with their State Farm policy as a third party. Ask for the claim number and the adjuster's name and contact.
You choose the shop, not State Farm
California's Auto Body Repair Consumer Bill of Rights says it plainly: an insurance company can't require you to have the repairs done at a specific body shop. You also have the right to a written, itemized estimate, to know what your policy covers for towing, storage and a rental car, and to get your own estimate from a registered shop while your claim is open.
State Farm has its own Select Service shops. Using one is optional. You can bring your car to GV and State Farm still handles your claim. The repair is done to the same standard either way.
Rental car and payment
Look at your State Farm insurance card: an "R" in the coverage line means your policy includes rental coverage. If the other driver's insurer accepted fault, ask them about a rental under their policy.
State Farm can pay the shop directly, deposit money into your account or mail a check. If a check comes to you, you sign it over at pickup. You pay your deductible on your own policy's claim, and usually nothing when the other driver's insurer pays.
How we handle a State Farm claim at GV
- Tow or drop-off. If the car can't be driven, we tow it to our shop in Downtown LA for free when we do the repair.
- Photos and teardown. We document all the damage, including what's hidden behind the bumper and panels.
- Estimate and adjuster. We send the estimate and photos to State Farm and work directly with the adjuster.
- Supplements. If more damage shows up during the repair, we send State Farm a supplement for approval before we continue.
- Repair and report. Factory procedures, color-matched paint, a written report with photos at pickup, and a 3-year warranty on body and paint.
You get text updates the whole way. Hablamos español.
GV Auto Collision is an independent repair shop and is not affiliated with State Farm. Insurer phone numbers and programs are taken from State Farm's website and can change; check your policy and insurance card. General information, not legal advice.