What should I do if I was recently in a car accident?

When your vehicle is damaged or stolen, your insurance company determines if it's a Total Loss (beyond repair or stolen/unrecovered) or a Partial Loss (repairable). The process for each differs.

If Your Vehicle is Declared a Total Loss

This occurs when your vehicle is stolen and not recovered, or too damaged to reasonably repair.

1. Notify Us & Keep Paying: Please notify us (or ensure your insurance company does) as soon as your vehicle is declared a total loss. It is critical to continue making your regular monthly payments until the claim is fully resolved and your account is officially closed to avoid late fees and credit impacts.
2. Information We'll Need: To expedite the process, have your insurance company name, policy/claim numbers, adjuster's details, VIN, date of loss, settlement/deductible amounts, mileage, and vehicle location ready. Please include a copy of the police report.
3. Settlement & GAP: Your insurance company determines the Actual Cash Value (ACV). The settlement check is typically made out to us (e.g., Ford Motor Credit Company, LLC). You are generally responsible for your deductible and any balance not covered by the primary insurance company (including but not limited to policy limits, past due payments, fees, extensions, storage, towing).
4. Next Steps: Complete all necessary documents with the Insurance Companies. If you have purchased GAP you will need to file with them separately. Our specialized Total Loss team will assist you with your claim with the insurance company to help process the claim. 

If Your Vehicle Experiences Partial Loss (Requires Repairs)

This means your vehicle is damaged but can be repaired.

1. Notify Us: Please inform us of the partial loss claim if insurance check for repairs is made payable to both you and us. Retail accounts may have the option not to repair unit and apply to principal balance only (will not offset payments). Please endorse check and contact us for instructions. ** Diminished value checks will apply to principal only for retail accounts.  FMCC and LAFS does not allow diminished value claims on lease vehicles.
2. Endorsement Process: Wait until repairs are fully completed before sending the insurance check to us for endorsement. If you have sent a check and repairs are not complete, the check may be returned.
3. What to Send Us: Mail the insurance check along with a copy of the insurance estimate, the body shop's work order, and proof that repairs are complete and paid for (if requesting endorsement to you).
4. Our Review: We'll review your account and documentation. If everything is in order, we will endorse the check and return it to the body shop or to you if paid in full. If criteria aren't met, or an inspection may be required or” Certificate of Satisfactory Repairs”.