How to File A Car Insurance Claim in Utah? A Complete Guide
Get safe, call 911, swap info, and take photos. Use your PIP for early medical bills, then open repair and liability claims as needed. You may pursue the other driver once bills top 3,000 dollars or injuries are serious under Utah law.
A crash shakes up your day in seconds. Your car is damaged, your neck hurts, and an adjuster may start calling before you reach home. This article gives you a Utah roadmap for filing a claim. You will see how PIP works, when the other driver’s insurer gets involved, what deadlines matter, and how to avoid mistakes that cut your payout.
Utah rules are a little different because of no-fault coverage, so local know-how helps. If your injuries are more than minor, a quick call with a car accident attorney in Utah can protect your rights and reduce stress. Keep this page handy as you move from first report to final check.
Key Points You Should Know
- Utah is a no-fault state
- PIP pays at least 3,000 dollars
- Report bigger crashes to police
- Photos and medical visits matter
- Fault over 50 percent blocks recovery
- New 30,000, 65,000, 25,000 limits
- UM or UIM often fills shortfalls
- Watch four and three year deadlines
- Be careful with recorded statements
- Keep every bill and receipt
Utah Insurance Basics You Need Before You File
Utah uses no-fault rules for injuries. As a result, certain medical bills will be covered by your own policy through personal injury protection, or PIP. By law, PIP provides at least 3,000 dollars in medical benefits per person, and it can also include limited wage loss and household services depending on your policy. These benefits are paid without deciding who caused the crash.
For insurance policies issued or renewed after January 1, 2025, the liability limits have been changed. There are now minimums of 30,000 dollars for personal injury, 65,000 dollars for accidents, and 25,000 dollars for property damage. Some drivers choose a single combined limit of 90,000 dollars. Higher limits are allowed and can be smart if you have assets to protect.
Uninsured motorists, called UM, and underinsured motorists, called UIM, are powerful add-ons. Utah insurers must offer them, and any rejection must be in writing. If a driver who hit you has no insurance or too little, these coverages can step in after you meet Utah’s injury threshold. Check your policy to confirm you have not waived them.
How To Deal With A Utah Crash After It Happens?
First, check for injuries and get to a safe spot. Call 911. In Utah, drivers are required to call the police if anyone is injured or if property damage is estimated at 2,500 dollars. If officers do not make a report on scene, the state may require a written report within 10 days. When in doubt, call.
Collect the basics:
- Names, phone numbers, and addresses
- Driver’s license and license plate numbers
- Insurance company and policy number
- Photos of the scene, damage, and road marks
Speak in simple facts. Do not guess about speed or fault. See a doctor soon, even if you feel mostly okay. Injury symptoms may not appear for a day or two after they have been sustained. Save every bill and discharge note. This paper trail proves your injury claim later.
It is imperative that you inform your insurer immediately. Early notice helps avoid coverage disputes and speeds up PIP payments. Order the police report once it is ready and keep it with your file.
How To File Your Claim Without Tripping Over Rules
Start a PIP claim for medical care. You will receive a claim number and forms from your insurer for submitting to your clinic. Answer completely and return forms fast so medical bills get paid. In Utah, PIP pays at least 3,000 dollars in medical expenses per person, no fault needed. Ask your adjuster to confirm any wage loss or household services benefits that may apply under your policy.
For car repairs, open a collision claim if you have that coverage. The insurer may use photos or send an appraiser. Ask the shop how supplements work if hidden damage appears. If your car is totaled, request the valuation in writing. It will include sales tax, title, and registration fees.
Don’t forget to be polite and brief when the other driver’s insurer calls. The recording of your detailed statement does not need to be done right away. Share only the basics and avoid speculating about injuries until a doctor has seen you. If the situation feels tense, a car accident lawyer in Utah can handle calls and protect your claim.
Deadlines That Can Sink a Good Claim
Utah has strict filing windows. Missing one can end your case.
- Injury lawsuits from car crashes are generally due within four years of the crash date.
- Cases involving property damage, including motor vehicle damage, usually have a three-year limit.
Special rules apply if a government vehicle was involved or if the claim is for wrongful death. Those windows are shorter. Your insurance policy may also set quick notice deadlines for PIP, UM, and UIM claims. Ask for those in writing and set reminders on your phone. Acting early keeps options open if talks stall.
What Helps and What Hurts Your Claim?
Helpful habits
- See a doctor quickly, follow the plan, and keep visits
- Take clear photos and video at the scene
- Keep statements short and factual
- Save estimates, receipts, and rental records
Common mistakes
- Gaps in care or missed visits
- Guessing about speed or fault on recordings
- Posting workout or vacation photos during treatment
- Authorizing broad medical releases for the other insurer
In Utah, comparison of negligence is based on modified comparative negligence. You are penalized for your share of fault in a lawsuit. A person who is 50% or more at fault cannot recover anything. Careful evidence can keep that number low and protect your payout.
Understanding Coverage Types That Come Into Play
PIP, the starter for medical bills
PIP kicks in first for medical care. It pays at least 3,000 dollars per person, and may include limited wage loss and household services depending on your policy. It applies regardless of fault.
Liability, when you are at fault
Bodily injury and property damage liability pay others when you cause the crash. As of 2025, the minimums are 30,000 per person, 65,000 per accident, and 25,000 property damage. Many drivers carry more for peace of mind.
Accidents and comprehensive coverage
In the event of a collision, collision insurance pays for car repairs after a deductible has been paid. Comprehensive handles non-crash losses like theft or hail.
UM and UIM, the safety net
If the at-fault driver has no coverage or too little, UM and UIM can step in. Utah requires insurers to offer these, and any rejection must be in writing, which is why many policies include them.
Dealing With Adjusters and Statements Without Losing Ground
Adjusters have a job to do, and so do you. Be polite. Keep notes of every call with date and time. Ask for important items in writing, like coverage decisions and valuation details. In the case an adjuster asks you to make a recorded statement, be short and factual. Share what you saw and felt, not guesses about speed or fault. If you are still in treatment, say so and avoid giving final injury details too early.
When medical billing gets confusing, loop in your clinic’s billing staff and your PIP adjuster on the same email. Ask which bills are going to PIP and which will be sent later to the at-fault insurer once the threshold is met. If your PIP claim is wrongly denied, Utah law gives you tools to fight back in court for overdue benefits and interest. Talk with a lawyer if that happens.
If the other insurer asks for a broad medical release, you can decline and offer specific records tied to your injuries instead. This keeps unrelated history private and reduces the risk of a lowball offer.
Find the Best Accident Injury Lawyer in Utah with Cockayne Law: Chris Cockayne
The team at Cockayne Law can assist you from start to finish if you want steady support from Chris Cockayne and his team. They focus on helping crash victims across Utah with clear advice and quick action.
From day one, the team can set up your PIP claim, organize your medical records, and guide you on car repairs and rentals. They understand Utah’s 3,000 dollar injury threshold and the serious injury list, so you get early guidance on whether a liability claim against the other driver is realistic. They also know how to use UM or UIM when the at-fault driver’s policy is not enough, and how to keep your claim on track before Utah’s filing deadlines arrive.
Here is what clients value most: prompt updates, straight answers, and a clean plan for each stage. If an insurer stalls, they are ready to push your case forward. Whenever you need a car accident lawyer in Utah that keeps things simple and uses a results-driven approach, contact Cockayne Law.
Conclusion
In Utah, filing a car claim is straightforward when you follow a few steady steps. Get safe, call 911, see a doctor, and report the crash. Use PIP for early bills. Keep your proof neat and your statements careful. Once your medical bills pass 3,000 dollars or you suffered a serious injury, you can pursue the at-fault driver. Deadlines matter, so do not wait. If you want help, firms like Cockayne Law work with these rules every day and can shoulder the hard parts while you heal. That way you can focus on getting back to normal.
FAQs
Is Utah a no-fault state?
Yes. Your own PIP pays first for medical bills, regardless of fault, with at least 3,000 dollars in medical benefits per person under Utah law.
How soon should I contact the police following a crash?
Call right away if anyone is hurt or property damage looks to be at least 2,500 dollars. If no officer files a report at the scene, the state may require a written report within 10 days.
How does the 3,000 dollar threshold work and why does it matter?
Utah limits pain and suffering claims until your medical costs top 3,000 dollars or you suffer a listed serious injury such as permanent impairment or disfigurement.
How long do I have to sue for injuries?
Most injury lawsuits from car crashes must be filed within four years of the crash date. Do not wait until the last month, since records and expert reviews take time.
How long do you have to file a lawsuit for vehicle damage?
Utah gives you three years for property damage lawsuits, which includes vehicle damage claims from a crash. Keep repair estimates and photos in one place for proof.
What if my PIP claim is denied?
You can challenge a wrongful denial in court and ask for overdue benefits and interest under Utah law. Speak with a lawyer if your insurer refuses to pay valid PIP bills.
