If you’re in a car accident or your vehicle is otherwise damaged, you can file an insurance claim to access your car insurance benefits. Once your insurance company has received your claim, they will typically begin an investigation into the incident. They may look at the cause of the accident, vehicle damage and any other information you submitted (e.g., photo evidence). Your insurance company will then approve or deny your claim. If your claim is approved, you will typically receive a check for damages. If your claim is denied, it means your auto insurer will not pay anything. When this happens, you may be able to file an appeal.