What To Know About Photo Estimates for Car Insurance Claims

A photo estimate is an estimated cost of repairs based on photos that you submit of the incident and damage via the insurer’s app. Some car insurance companies allow you to take photos directly from within the app, and you’ll usually also have the option to upload photos from your camera roll that you’ve already taken.

An insurance adjuster will look at the photos of the damage and will provide an estimate that they consider reasonable for you to get your car fixed. A photo estimate that you receive should include all the parts that will need to be repaired and the amount the insurance company is willing to cover. For liability claims, the actual payout you receive will depend on what percentage of fault you’re responsible for and the negligence laws of your state.

The accuracy of photo estimates can depend on various factors, including the quality of the photos submitted to the insurance company, so some will be more accurate than others. Photo estimates can be particularly useful and more accurate for relatively minor surface damages that can be fully and accurately captured in photos.

For more severe damage, it may be more difficult to show the full extent in photos, which may lead to an inaccurate estimate. That’s not to say that they are always inaccurate when it comes to more serious damage, but it’s much more likely. It’s important to be aware of the limitations of photo estimates and understand the circumstances under which the actual cost of repairs may be more than initially estimated.

If you choose to submit photos of your vehicle’s damage to the insurance company, you’ll receive an estimate for the repairs, usually pretty quickly. Once the insurer approves the estimate, it will also send you a payout. You can then take your car to an auto repair shop to begin repairs, and be sure to show them the estimate to ensure that the cost lines up with what the insurance is covering.

What Happens If Repair Costs are Higher Than the Photo Estimate

Once work begins on your car, you may find out that it will cost more to repair than the initial estimate you received, based on additional damage that wasn’t readily apparent based on the photos. This will require a supplement to cover the difference, which the auto repair shop should submit directly to the insurance.

If the insurance provider determines that the supplement is accurate and reasonable, it should pay it directly to the auto body shop. While this may add time to the repair, it ensures your claim is covered as it should be.

While photo estimates provide several benefits, they also come with downsides. Here’s a closer look at some of the main pros and cons:

Pros

• Faster estimates: Sending photos of your damage via an app lets you spend 10 minutes or so snapping pictures and sending them over rather than driving to an auto repair shop or waiting for an in-person inspection from an insurance adjuster.
• Quick payouts: When using a photo estimator app, you’ll get a payout from the insurance company once it issues the estimate, which can be in as little as one business day. Then, you can move forward with repairs whenever and however you choose.

Cons

• Less reliable: Photos can only capture so much, and depending on lighting and other conditions, they may misrepresent the damage and could lead to a lower estimate than you’re owed.
• Only show external damage: One of the biggest limitations of photo estimates is that they can only show damage to the external components of the car, so if any internal systems or safety equipment is damaged, it may not be readily apparent and therefore will not be included in the estimate. This can also be an issue with in-person inspections by an adjuster, as some damage will only be noticed when components are taken apart during repairs.

If your insurance company requests that you submit photos of your car’s damage when you go to file a claim via the app, there are a few tips you can keep in mind to help make sure they are as accurate as possible.

• Make sure you’re taking photos that are as well-lit as possible, doing your best to avoid shadows or glares.
• Follow the instructions carefully — the insurance app should guide you through the process and request that you photograph certain angles and maintain a certain distance so that you can capture the necessary areas.
• If needed, clean the damaged area, removing any dirt or other objects that may obscure the damage.
• If the app allows you to make comments, note any additional damage or information that you’d like the insurer to know.

If you are found at fault for an accident, your insurance rates will very likely increase at your new renewal. However, some companies are more forgiving than others. Among national insurers, GEICO, State Farm, Travelers, and USAA have some of the cheapest insurance rates. Regional providers Auto-Owners and Erie also have competitive prices with an at-fault accident. Compare quotes from at least three companies to find the best deal.

Photo estimates are becoming increasingly popular for the speed and convenience they offer. They enable policyholders to quickly submit photos of their vehicle’s damage and receive an estimated cost of repairs along with a payout, usually within a few days. However, there are some drawbacks to consider, and they may not be ideal for serious damage. In these cases, it’s usually best to take your car to an auto repair shop to get a full estimate.