USAA Insurance Claims in Texas

If you’re in a motor vehicle accident in Houston, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, or anywhere else in Texas, you may need to file a USAA claim to recover damages for your crash-related losses and injuries. If you do, this USAA auto accident claims guide is for you. It shares helpful facts, guidance, and resources regarding:

• When you may be involved in a USAA car accident claim
• What to expect when dealing with USAA insurance agents after a wreck
• How to initiate a USAA insurance claim after a traffic collision in Texas
• What to anticipate and how to protect your rights and claim moving forward

As enlightening as the following information can be when you need to file a USAA crash claim, don’t hesitate to speak to an attorney for more advice. A car accident lawyer can be by your side as you file a USAA insurance claim, guiding and advising you while working to help you seek the best outcomes possible.

When You May Be Involved in a USAA Car Accident Claim

If you’re in a traffic collision in Texas, USAA may enter the picture with a related claim filed afterward IF:

1. USAA provides auto insurance coverage for you and/or another involved party.
2. You and/or another involved files a claim with USAA.

You could be the one filing a USAA crash claim if you’re involved in:

• A hit and run: If you are covered by USAA, you have uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, and you were in a hit and run, you could file a claim with your own insurer, USAA, seeking compensation under your UM/UIM coverage.
• A crash with questions about fault: If you are covered by USAA and another party decides to sue you for a crash, you could be dealing with a USAA claim, even if you weren’t at fault. Typically, fault becomes clear after an investigation into the wreck; however, not all fault determinations are properly or correctly made. That’s why it’s important to conduct your own investigation into the crash, rather than relying on other’s fault determinations.
• A wreck caused by another party: If another driver or party is at fault for the crash and they are covered by USAA, you could file a claim with USAA to seek damages for the injuries and losses you’ve suffered from the auto accident.

Keep in mind that if you don’t initiate a USAA insurance claim, you could be notified of your involvement in a claim via a phone call or mailed letter from a USAA insurance adjuster.

USAA Insurance Claims in Texas: FAQs

Elaborating on what it takes to file a USAA auto accident claim in Texas, here are some helpful FAQs. The following answers can get you on track with a claim while giving you a better idea of what it can take to recover compensation from these cases.

How Do I Start a USAA Crash Claim?

You can initiate a claim with USAA in one of three ways:

1. Call 800-531-8722.
2. File a claim online by visiting this page on USAA’s website if you have USAA auto insurance. If you are not a policyholder, you can start the online USAA claims process here. And if you aren’t sure whether you’re covered by USAA, you can check that here.
3. Download and use the USAA mobile app to start your claim there.

The “best” way to file your claim depends on your resources and preferences. Also, keep in mind that:

• Filing a claim online or via the mobile app doesn’t mean you won’t have to talk to a claims representative. It just means that a rep will call you later, after reviewing the info you’ve submitted.
• Filing USAA claims online or via the app are generally the fastest ways to get started, according to USAA.
• USAA offers emergency roadside assistance. While that may be helpful if you need a tow, don’t assume that it takes the place of calling the police after a wreck. It doesn’t, and you should still call 911 (or a non-emergency police number) after a traffic collision.

When Should I Give an Official Statement for a USAA Crash Claim?

Official statements are recorded. So, only give an official statement to USAA when you’re ready to:

• Calmly talk about the accident.
• Go over the specifics of the crash.
• State the facts you recall.

Remember:

• You are NOT obligated to give an official statement when you make an initial report or when you first file a claim.
• Your official statement can be used against you if you say the wrong things, if you misspeak, or if the insurance agent successfully trips you up in your answers.
• You CAN talk to an attorney before you provide USAA with any kind of official statement about the crash (and before you file a claim).

What If USAA Wrongly Blames Me for a Car Accident?

You do NOT have to accept fault for crashes you didn’t cause, and you could have various options for pushing back. In fact, based on the circumstances and the available evidence, it may be possible to:

• Conduct follow-up investigations
• Retain expert witnesses to help uncover new evidence and/or provide more clarity about what existing evidence really means
• Discover additional liable parties who were not previously identified as being at fault for the crash
• Fight back and challenge wrongful fault determinations

If you think you’ve been wrongfully blamed for an auto accident, consult a lawyer as soon as you can. After all, claims representatives can be skilled at finding loopholes, leveraging ambiguous evidence, and using what you don’t know to their advantage. With an attorney in your corner, you can level the playing field and give yourself better chances of recovering the damages you may deserve.

What Will USAA Pay for My Texas Auto Accident Claim?

The dollar amounts paid out for successful USAA claims vary, and there’s no way to define that amount with any accuracy without first knowing the specifics of a case, like (but not limited to):

• Who is at fault for the wreck: If USAA says you’re mostly at fault, you may not be entitled to recover under Texas law. However, if you share the blame with another party who’s more at fault than you are (or if you share zero blame for the wreck), you could be entitled to compensation. In these cases, damages could be reduced in proportion to any fault you share for a crash. Notably, however, USAA does not always get fault determinations correct.

• The severity of the damages and injuries: When motor vehicle accidents cause more severe injuries and more losses, claims may be eligible for greater compensation. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean victims should count on USAA to pay them what they may deserve, especially if they don’t know their rights or have legal representation.
• Your statements and actions right before and after the accident: Did you apologize for an accident or accidentally admit any fault? Did you see EMTs at the scene or did you put off medical care after the car wreck? What did you take pictures of or collect from the scene? What have you said to insurance companies after the wreck? All of these factors could raise new potential issues for a claim, possibly giving USAA room to reduce or avoid payouts.

Filing a USAA Insurance Claim in Texas?

As helpful as all of this information about USAA claims is, there can be a lot more to know and do when it’s time to deal with insurance agents, protect your rights, and seek the damages you may deserve after a Texas auto accident. Given that USAA and other auto insurance providers are focused on challenging claims and payouts — and given the fact that they handle claims daily and you probably don’t — it’s typically prudent to talk to an experienced auto accident attorney when you’re filing a claim in Texas. When you do, you can get essential advice, information, and guidance regarding a potential USAA claim, how to position it for a favorable outcome, and what to do as you move forward. All of that can be integral to securing full, fair compensation. Now’s a good time to speak with an experienced auto accident attorney near you in Texas to find out more about your rights, what to expect from a USAA claim, and what you can do to position it for success.