How to Open a Med Pay Claim and Get a Claim Number After a Car Accident in Iowa

Quick answer: Find your declarations page, write down your coverage limits, call your insurer to open a claim, and get a claim number. It takes about 15 minutes, and you can do it from your phone. Here is exactly what to do and what to say.

Your 15-minute checklist

Get your declarations page (here is how, step by step)
Find Med Pay, Bodily Injury, Uninsured Motorist and Underinsured Motorist, and write down each limit
Gather your policy number, the date and location of the crash, the other driver's name, insurer and policy number, and the police report number
Call your insurer and open the claim (script below)
Write down the claim number, the adjuster's name and direct number, and the date and time of your call
Take photos of vehicle damage and any visible injuries
Send us your claim number and book your visit

What each coverage means

Here is what a declarations page looks like, with the coverages you need marked:

Sample car insurance declarations page with callouts: A policy number, B Med Pay, C bodily injury, D uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage — A fictional sample declarations page. Yours will look different, but it lists the same coverages.

Coverage	In plain language
Medical Payments (Med Pay)	Optional coverage on your own policy that helps with medical expenses for you and your passengers after a crash, usually regardless of who was at fault, up to the limit on your dec page.
Bodily Injury Liability	Covers injuries you cause to others. If another driver caused your crash, their bodily injury coverage may apply to your injuries.
Uninsured Motorist (UM)	Applies when the driver who hit you has no insurance.
Underinsured Motorist (UIM)	Applies when the other driver has insurance, but not enough to cover your injuries.
Health insurance	Separate from your car policy, and it can be part of the picture too.

What to say when you call

Call the claims number on your insurance card, or use your insurer's app. Have your policy number ready.

Opening"I was in a car accident on [date] at [location]. I'd like to open a claim."

For medical payments"I'd also like to open a medical payments claim. Can you give me the claim number?"

If another driver caused it"The other driver was [name], insured with [company], policy number [number]."

If you do not have the other driver's information yet, just say so. You can still open the claim.

Before you hang up"Can I have the adjuster's name and direct phone number? And can you email me a confirmation of the claim?"

Then write down the claim number, the adjuster's name and phone, and the date and time of your call.

Get checked early

Whiplash and other crash injuries often show up days later. Being evaluated soon after the crash gives you a clear record of what happened and what you are experiencing. Read what to expect at your first chiropractic visit after a car accident, or see who pays for chiropractic care after a car accident in Iowa.

Frequently asked questions

What is a declarations page?

A declarations page, or dec page, is a one-page summary of your auto policy. It lists your coverages and limits, including medical payments (Med Pay), bodily injury, and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

Do I need to know who was at fault to open a claim?

No. You can open a claim with the details you have. If you do not have the other driver's information yet, say so. You can still open the claim.

What if I cannot find my dec page?

Call the number on your insurance card and ask for your declarations page to be emailed to you. You can also text a photo of your insurance card to our office and we will help.

What if I do not have Med Pay?

Other coverage may still apply, such as the other driver's bodily injury coverage, your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, or your health insurance. Send us your dec page and we will help you sort it out.

Do I need an attorney first?

Many people work with one after a crash, but you do not need one to be examined. We work with attorneys across the Des Moines area. If you already have one, tell us.

Send us your declarations page

Send a photo of your dec page, the date of your accident, and who was at fault if you know. We check your coverage for you, then send you a link to book your visit.

Call or text (515) 777-1014

Champion Chiropractic & Spinal Injury, 11050 Hickman Road, Clive, IA 50325. Written by Justin Luneburg, DC, FPSC(C). This page is general information, not medical, legal or insurance advice.

Related pages

Hired an attorney, or thinking about it? Read how to choose a personal injury attorney in Iowa. You do not need an attorney to be seen at our office.

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