The Auto-Owners Insurance Car Insurance Claim Process in Chicago, Illinois

Auto-Owners Insurance is a trusted regional provider that serves many families, small business owners, and everyday drivers throughout Illinois, including thousands in the Chicago area. Known for its network of independent agents and customer-first branding, Auto-Owners often delivers on its promises in routine claims.

But after a serious car accident, the process of filing a personal injury claim with Auto-Owners can become stressful and frustrating. The reality is that even with a reputable insurer, securing fair compensation isn’t guaranteed, especially if there’s a dispute over who was at fault or how severe your injuries are.

If you’ve been injured in a crash, it’s essential to understand your rights and the steps involved in the Auto-Owners insurance claims process. This article outlines the process from start to finish and explains when hiring a car insurance claim attorney in Chicago may be the best way to protect your claim and recovery.

Step 1: Notify Auto-Owners Insurance After the Car Accident

After a car accident, especially one involving injuries or police involvement, the first step is to notify Auto-Owners Insurance immediately.

Prompt reporting helps preserve evidence and ensures the insurance company doesn’t question the legitimacy of your claim later. This is especially important if you were hurt, the police were called to the scene, or the crash resulted in visible property damage.

Policyholders can file a claim by contacting their local Auto-Owners agent, calling the company’s claims department by phone, or starting the process through the insurer’s online system. Regardless of how you report the crash, sticking to the facts and avoiding admitting fault is critical. Even casual comments can be used against you later, so avoid saying things like “I didn’t see them” or “I should have been more careful.” You should focus on confirming the basic details and letting the investigation play out.

Step 2: Gather All Relevant Documentation for Your Claim

The strength of your injury claim often comes down to the documents you submit. Auto-Owners typically asks for various records and evidence to evaluate your claim, and being organized from the start can make a big difference.

Key materials often include the official police report from the crash, photographs or video of the damage and scene, and any medical records related to your treatment.

Injury victims should also collect and preserve every medical bill, prescription receipt, hospital summary, and documentation showing missed work or restricted duty. If you were placed on medical leave or had to reduce your hours, proof of that income loss will be critical in calculating your damages.

Having clean, well-labeled copies of everything is especially helpful if you decide to speak with a car accident attorney, who will use these records to build your case and challenge any efforts to minimize your losses.

Step 3: Speak with an Auto-Owners Insurance Adjuster — Carefully

Once your claim is in the system, a claims adjuster from Auto-Owners will likely contact you to gather more information. These calls often happen quickly — sometimes within a day or two of the accident — and it’s common for the adjuster to request a recorded statement. While this might seem harmless, injury victims should approach this step with caution.

Adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. Their goal is to minimize the company’s payout, which means they may try to limit the scope of your injuries or use your words to argue that you share fault for the crash. You should never give a recorded statement or talk about your injuries in detail until you’ve had a complete medical evaluation.

Pain can worsen over time, and symptoms like concussion, soft tissue injuries, or back trauma may not show up immediately. Before discussing anything in depth, consider speaking with a personal injury lawyer who can advise you on what to say and when to say it.

Step 4: Auto-Owners Will Investigate the Auto Accident

Once all initial information has been collected, Auto-Owners will begin its investigation. This may include reviewing the police report, analyzing the photographs and videos from the crash, interviewing witnesses, and comparing statements from both drivers. The goal is to determine how the crash happened and who should be held responsible.

Liability can be hotly contested in many Chicago car accidents, especially those that occur at high-traffic intersections like Cicero and Roosevelt or Western and Diversey. Witnesses may offer conflicting accounts, and drivers may have differing views of who had the right of way. In these situations, having legal support becomes even more critical.

A lawyer can gather independent evidence, such as traffic camera footage or expert testimony, to support your version of events and counter any efforts to unfairly shift blame.

Step 5: The Company Will Assess Damages and Losses

After liability is evaluated, the insurance company will begin reviewing the financial impact of the crash. For personal injury claims, this includes your medical expenses, time away from work, future care needs, and — in some cases — pain and suffering.

Auto-Owners may also evaluate vehicle damage or total loss amounts, but if you’re focused on recovering from serious injuries, the bodily injury portion of your claim matters most.

Many accident victims are surprised when the first offer comes in significantly lower than expected. This can happen when long-term injuries are involved, such as back trauma, concussions, broken bones, or joint damage.

The initial settlement may not factor in follow-up care, rehab, future surgeries, or how the injury might affect your job. That’s why reviewing any offer with a lawyer is essential — once you accept a check or sign a waiver, your case is effectively closed.

Step 6: Expect a Settlement Offer — But Don’t Rush to Accept

After the assessment phase, Auto-Owners will likely extend a settlement offer. While it might feel like progress, accepting a quick offer too soon can be costly.

Insurance companies often make early settlement offers before the full scope of an injury is known. By locking in an agreement quickly, they reduce the chance of paying for long-term care, additional treatment, or wage loss down the road.

If you accept an early offer and sign a release, you give up the right to pursue further compensation, even if your condition worsens. You may be left paying out-of-pocket for future surgeries or therapies that weren’t factored into the original amount. That’s why speaking with a lawyer before signing anything is one of the most critical steps.

Common Auto-Owners Claim Issues in Illinois

Even when accident victims provide the proper documentation and follow every step of the process, claims with Auto-Owners Insurance can still hit roadblocks.

Some of the most common issues in Illinois include delayed communication from adjusters, settlement offers that fail to account for ongoing medical care or lost future income, and efforts to assign partial blame to reduce the total payout under Illinois’ comparative negligence law.

In some cases, injured individuals are pressured to settle quickly without understanding the full recovery cost. Without legal advice, it’s easy to fall into these traps, especially when you’re trying to manage pain, paperwork, and financial stress all at once.

Notable Disputes Involving Auto-Owners Car Insurance Claims

While Auto-Owners Insurance is generally considered reliable, it has faced lawsuits in various states over bad faith practices. These cases often involve allegations of denied claims, slow processing, or settlement tactics that failed to meet policy obligations.

In Illinois, complaints involving injury claim disputes have centered on low offers and denial of coverage for specific treatments. Although not involved in widespread national scandals, Auto-Owners is still a business, and like all insurers, it benefits from keeping claim costs low.

When to Hire an Attorney

There are precise moments in the Auto-Owners claims process when having a lawyer is critical. If your injuries are severe, result in long-term disability, or require surgery, you shouldn’t try to handle the claim alone.

Legal help is also essential if there’s a dispute about fault, if your claim has been denied or delayed without good reason, or if you’re pursuing a wrongful death claim on behalf of a loved one.

Crashes that occur in high-traffic areas of Chicago, involve multiple vehicles, or include commercial policies can create added complications. Having a lawyer ensures you’re not pushed into a quick settlement that leaves you underpaid and unprotected.

How Rosenfeld Injury Law Helps With Auto-Owners Insurance Claims

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we represent clients throughout Chicago dealing with injury claims involving Auto-Owners Insurance.

We take over the communication so you’re not stuck arguing with adjusters or responding to repetitive requests for paperwork. Our legal team collects medical records, wage loss documentation, and evidence of fault to build a strong case from day one.

We know how to deal with insurers who are slow to respond or offer less than what a claim is worth. If Auto-Owners refuses to settle fairly, we won’t hesitate to file a lawsuit and take the case to trial. We aim to recover full compensation, including past and future medical costs, lost income, and damages for pain and suffering.

Get Legal Help With Your Auto-Owners Car Insurance Claim in Chicago!

You don’t have to face the Auto-Owners insurance claims process alone. If you’ve been seriously injured in a crash in Chicago and your claim is being handled by Auto-Owners, you deserve legal support that puts your interests first.

A Chicago personal injury lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you understand your rights, push back against lowball offers, and guide you through every stage of the claim.

We offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee, meaning we only get paid if we win. Call us at (888) 424–5757 or fill out our contact form to speak with a car accident attorney in Chicago.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.