Where to Get Pictures of My Vehicle Taken for Auto Insurance (2024)
Auto insurers require pictures of your car (car insurance pictures) when you purchase auto insurance or are in an accident. Taking pictures of your car for auto insurance is usually done by an insurance company employee, repair shops or mechanics.
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Jeff Root
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Jeff is a well-known speaker and expert in insurance and financial planning. He has spoken at top insurance conferences around the U.S., including the InsuranceNewsNet Super Conference, the 8% Nation Insurance Wealth Conference, and the Digital Life Insurance Agent Mastermind. He has been featured and quoted in Nerdwallet, Bloomberg, Forbes, U.S. News & Money, USA Today, and other leading fina...
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UPDATED: Apr 11, 2024
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Apr 11, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Search Google, Yelp, or other sources for “car insurance photos near me” to find the nearest service
- Auto insurance companies require pictures of your car either when you are purchasing insurance or after a car accident
- Pictures of your car will ensure your honesty in filing claims before purchasing auto insurance
When you are purchasing auto insurance, some companies require you to submit pictures of your vehicle. You need to get car insurance pictures taken through your local insurance office, in most cases, so you may need to search “insurance pictures near me” online. It is a way of keeping drivers from filing a claim for previous damages.
Other times your insurance company requires you to take pictures of your auto after a car accident. You can personally take the picture of car insurance, and your insurance company will follow up on at a licensed mechanic or repair shop for auto and general vehicle inspection.
Curious about affordable auto insurance? Find an insurance company that matches your budget by entering your ZIP code above and comparing at least three to four auto insurance quotes!
Finding Locations for Insurance Photo Services
If you need to find a location for professional photo inspections, start by searching online for “insurance photos near me” or “car insurance photo inspection locations.” Platforms like Yelp or Google Maps can offer detailed reviews and locations of nearby services. Additionally, your insurance provider’s website may list recommended or partner photo inspection services, ensuring that you go to an approved location that meets your insurer’s requirements for a valid inspection.
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What is the purpose of taking photos for insurance?
You may be wondering what the purpose is of getting photos taken of your vehicle when you purchase insurance? The purpose of this is to document damage to your vehicle before purchasing your policy.
For example, if you have a dent in your car, the picture will document the dent so that you can’t file a claim for it at a future time.
Taking pictures for insurance claims ensures your honesty in filing claims and, even though taking your Allstate claim photos might be a bit of a hassle, it could help you find damage you didn’t even know about.
A small chip in a windshield may go unnoticed by you, but an insurance company knows how quickly it can lead to the replacement of an entire windshield in the future.
An insurance company employee is required to take pictures so that a driver does not bring in photos that were taken before the damage was done. Some insurance companies have contracted this work out to mechanics or repair shops and will let you know where you can get the pictures taken.
Surprisingly, with the competitive nature of the insurance industry, many insurance companies no longer require pictures.
This change is especially true of national chains that receive most of their customers online. It would be overwhelming to try and take pictures of all the vehicles requesting insurance.
You would need to find out if the company you’re planning to choose, a national chain (ex. Progressive car insurance images) or a local chain (home and auto insurance images), requires pictures/insurance company images.
What is the purpose of taking photos after an accident?
After an accident, you can take pictures on your own, but make sure the date stamp is on each picture.
Taking pictures is important since things such as towing and police reports happen quickly. If you don’t have a camera with you, many police officers carry one for the purpose of documenting accidents.
Before you have an accident, check with your insurance carrier to see if they have insurance adjusters who come to the scene of an accident to record information.
If this is the case, you don’t have to do any of the picture taking; the adjuster will do it for you.
You want to know this information before an accident, because you may not be in the state of mind to figure it out at the scene of an accident.
If you don’t have a camera, don’t forget about your cell phone camera. Most cell phones have cameras and video cameras built-in. You can use your cell phone to record damage to your vehicle or another person’s vehicle.
Keeping record with your cell phone camera may be even better than using a traditional camera since you can e-mail the pictures directly to the insurance company.
Even with all this effort put into picture taking, most auto insurance companies will want you to take your vehicle to a certified mechanic to assess the damages. The mechanic or repair shop will take pictures for you.
Check with your insurance company to find a list of mechanics and repair shops they work with.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Take Pictures of Your Car for Insurance
It’s important to know how to document your vehicle’s condition effectively for insurance purposes. Here are the steps on how to take pictures of your vehicle for car insurance:
- Prepare the Vehicle: Clean your car to remove dirt or debris that might obscure damage or important features. Park the car in a well-lit area, ideally during daylight to avoid shadows and ensure clear visibility.
- Capture Multiple Angles: Photograph your vehicle from multiple angles. Include front, rear, both sides, and all four corners. This helps insurers see the car from every possible perspective.
- Detail Specific Areas: Focus on specific areas of interest or damage. Take close-ups of any damage, dents, scratches, or special features (like custom parts and upgrades).
- Interior Shots: Include photos of the interior, focusing on the overall condition, dashboard, and any specific interior damage. Photograph the odometer to verify mileage.
- Contextual Surroundings: If relevant (such as after an accident), include photos of the surrounding area to capture road conditions, signage, and the position of the car relative to these elements.
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Steps for What to Do When Your Insurance Company Requests Car Photos After an Accident
If your insurance company requests photos after an accident, it’s important to take comprehensive photographs of the damage as soon as it is safe to do so. Here’s what to do:
- Immediately Take Picture: As soon as safely possible, take photographs of your vehicle’s damage and the overall scene. Include different angles and details of the damage.
- Document the Scene: Capture the broader accident scene, including street layouts, traffic signs, and the positions of other vehicles involved.
- Include Date and Time: Ensure that all photos are timestamped. This can usually be enabled in camera settings on most smartphones or digital cameras.
- Submit Photos Promptly: Follow your insurer’s guidelines for submitting these photos promptly to support your claim.
The Role of Photo Inspections in Managing Auto Insurance Claims
Photo inspections play a pivotal role in the auto insurance claims process. They provide verifiable evidence of a vehicle’s condition immediately before an incident, aiding in the accurate assessment of claims. This documentation is crucial for speeding up the claims process and helps insurance companies ensure that claims are legitimate, thereby preventing fraud. By documenting the state of the vehicle comprehensively, insurers and policyholders can avoid disputes and ensure that claims are processed efficiently and fairly.
What other information will you need to supply besides pictures?
When you are in an auto accident, in addition to insurance photos, you will need to provide other information to the insurance company.
You need to fill out an official auto insurance claim form that is most likely downloadable from your insurance carrier’s website.
This form will ask you for specific information such as the date and time of the accident. Your auto insurance company will also need supporting documentation such as:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Repair shop estimates
- Other drivers’ insurance information
Do not reveal too much information too soon. The first 24 hours after an accident can be difficult; especially if there have been any injuries.
Wait until you are thinking clearly and have been medically evaluated before telling your insurance company all the details of your accident.
Be ready for an accident by finding a reliable insurance company. Enter your ZIP code below to compare auto insurance rates from several companies!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hire a professional photographer for insurance pictures?
Usually not necessary. Insurance companies accept pictures taken by the vehicle owner or authorized representatives.
How long should I keep the pictures of my vehicle for insurance purposes?
Keep them until relevant claims or coverage periods have expired to have a record if issues arise in the future.
Do I need to take pictures of the entire vehicle or just the damaged areas?
It’s recommended to take pictures of both the entire vehicle and the damaged areas for a comprehensive record.
What if I don’t have access to a certified mechanic to take pictures?
Consult with your insurance company for alternatives. You can still take pictures yourself, but they may prefer professional assessment.
Can I submit digital photos to my insurance company?
Yes, most insurance companies accept digital photos via email or online claim submission portals.
Can I use photos from a previous accident for my current insurance claim?
It’s not recommended, as current damages may differ. Take new photos specifically for the current claim.
Why do insurance companies require photos of my car?
Photos help verify the condition of your vehicle before coverage begins or after an accident, ensuring claims are accurate and preventing fraud.
Can I take insurance photos with my smartphone?
Yes, most insurance companies accept digital photos taken with smartphones as long as they are clear and include all necessary views and details.
What happens during a car insurance photo inspection?
During a photo inspection, detailed pictures are taken of your entire vehicle including all sides, the odometer, and any existing damage to establish a baseline condition.
How can I find a location for a photo inspection near me?
Check your insurance company’s website or contact them directly for a list of approved locations for photo inspections near your area.
What should I do if my insurance company wants pictures after an accident?
Take comprehensive photos of the damage from multiple angles, the accident scene, and any contributing factors. Ensure these photos are timestamped if possible.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Jeff Root
Licensed Insurance Agent
Jeff is a well-known speaker and expert in insurance and financial planning. He has spoken at top insurance conferences around the U.S., including the InsuranceNewsNet Super Conference, the 8% Nation Insurance Wealth Conference, and the Digital Life Insurance Agent Mastermind. He has been featured and quoted in Nerdwallet, Bloomberg, Forbes, U.S. News & Money, USA Today, and other leading fina...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.