Help and FAQs
What can we help with?
Claims
What should I do if I have an accident or loss?
Immediately report accidents to the proper authorities.
Call for medical attention, if necessary.
Obey laws and cooperate with the police, but do not discuss the accident/loss with anyone else.
Write down information from the people involved the accident/loss (names, addresses, license numbers, contact information, witness names, contact information, and other party's insurance information. Please note: in some areas police officers may restrict contact between the parties.)
What should I expect when I have an auto claim?
Alright, something's happened. Don't worry, we're here to help. Check out this step-by-step guide on what you should do and what to expect from us when you have an auto claim.
What does coinsurance mean on a property insurance policy?
It is the percentage of value that the policyholder is required to insure - typically 80%, 90% or 100% of the property’s replacement cost value or actual cash value whichever is stated in your policy. It is there to encourage you to insure the property for at least a minimum amount of the property’s replacement cost. If you insure for less than the minimum amount and have a loss, you will be penalized by sharing in the loss above the deductible. For example, if the replacement value of your home is $100,000 and you insure it for replacement cost with an 80% coinsurance, you must insure it for at least $80,000 in order to avoid the coinsurance penalty and be fully covered.
How can I be proactive and prepare for a personal property loss, especially a total loss such as a home fire?
Most people would have a hard time creating an accurate list of everything they own. To complete a list which will help you with the claims process, walk through every room of your home and identify all the contents. It would also be helpful to attach sales receipts of large purchases to your list and jot down serial numbers. Take a video or photos of all your belongings. Be sure to open drawers, cabinets, closets and to capture what is in them. Don’t forget the attic, garage, shed, and other outbuildings. Keep your personal property inventory list along with video or photos in a safe place away from your home.
If I am involved in an auto accident and the other driver is at fault, after I report it to my insurance company, is it better to have my insurance company adjust the claim or go through the other driver’s insurance company assuming that driver has insurance?
If you are involved in an auto accident and the other driver is at fault, after reporting to your insurance company, is it better to go through the other driver’s insurance company assuming that driver has insurance?
Pros of using your insurance company:
Your company will have your best interest in mind.
Your company may turn the claim around faster.
Other company may use off-brand parts to repair your vehicle. If your vehicle is within six model years old or newer and you go through your company for the physical damage loss, you have the option to repair your auto with new parts manufactured by the vehicle manufacturer, after-market parts, or used parts.
Rental reimbursement coverage on your vehicle is automatically provided if you have physical damage coverage on your Indiana Farmers’ policy. Additional limits can be purchased. You may have to pay for car rental until the other company reimburses you if you opt to go through them.
Cons of using your insurance company:
The physical damage loss to your vehicle would be covered under Collision, if you have purchased this coverage on your vehicle. The payment will be subject to your collision deductible. The deductible will be reimbursed if the company can successfully subrogate 100% against other driver’s company.
A collision claim may increase your premium.
What determines if a vehicle is totaled?
A vehicle may be totaled if the cost to repair is more than the value of the vehicle. Also some states may require insurance companies to total a vehicle if the damage exceeds a certain percentage of the vehicle value.
What is subrogation?
It is the legal right that allows one party (for example, your insurance company) to make a payment that is actually owed by another party that caused the loss (for example, the at-fault driver’s insurance company) and then collect the money from the party that owes the debt after the fact.
What is replacement cost?
This is the cost to repair or replace the damaged property with new materials of like kind and quality.
If you have replacement cost and suffer a loss, the initial payment you receive may be for actual cash value. You may be able to recoup the depreciation if you make your claim within 180 days of the date of loss and send documentation that repairs have been completed or it has been replaced.
To document that repairs or replacement have been completed, please send your claim representative your certificate of completion or final repair bill or purchase receipts.
What is depreciation and actual cash value?
Depreciation is the value an item loses over time based on its age and/or condition. Actual cash value is the cost of replacing or repairing damaged property less depreciation.
What is a deductible?
In an insurance policy, the deductible is the amount of expenses that must be paid out of pocket before an insurer will pay any expenses. In most circumstances we subtract the deductible from your initial settlement payment and then you pay your deductible to the contractor, auto dealership, mechanic, body shop, etc.
What if my contractor's estimate is higher than my insurance estimate?
If there's a difference between the Indiana Farmers Insurance estimate and your contractor's estimate, please contact your claim rep. The claim rep will work to reach an agreed price with your contractor based on the damage to your property.
What if additional damages are found during the repair/restoration process?
If additional damage is discovered, please contact your claim rep as soon as possible before the additional work begins.
I believe my vehicle is not repairable. How does Indiana Farmers Insurance determine the value of my vehicle?
We utilize several different sources of vehicle data, including automobile appraisers, Internet sources, and vehicle value databases to determine the fair market value of your vehicle prior to the loss.
I need to rent a vehicle while my car is being repaired. Do I need to purchase the additional insurance coverage from the rental car company?
Your insurance policy will provide the broadest coverage available for a rental vehicle you are driving as a result of your personal vehicle being out of service. If you do not have collision or comprehensive coverage on any vehicle on your policy, then your policy will not provide that coverage for the rental vehicle.
Please be aware there are damages that may occur to the rental vehicle which might not be covered under your policy, such as loss of value, loss of ability to rent the vehicle, and administrative costs that might be charged by the rental company.
Depending on your own personal financial situation, you may wish to purchase the damage waiver offered by the rental company to avoid or limit these expenses. The additional cost of the damage waiver coverage from the rental agency is typically not reimbursed through your automobile insurance policy.
Be sure to ask your claim representative about coverage available to you under your policy.
What happens after I report my claim?
Your loss will be assigned to a claim representative who will contact you to explain the claim process, discuss the facts, and answer your questions.
Why is my mortgage company named on the claim payment?
If you have a mortgage or loan on your property, the mortgage company or lender is legally required to be listed on your insurance policy, and because of this the lender may be named on your settlement payment. If the mortgage company or lender named on your payment is incorrect, please contact your claim representative. To obtain the mortgage company's endorsement, please contact the mortgage company directly.
Payments
Are there any fees associated with paying online?
Paying by ACH/eCheck will not incur a fee. Only credit card payments will incur a convenience fee added by our 3rd party payment processor.
Why is there a convenience fee when I pay by credit card?
Our 3rd party payment processor requires a convenience fee when paying your bill by credit card. To avoid paying this fee, we also accept ACH/eCheck payments from your bank account.
If I don’t want to pay the convenience fee, can I still make a credit card payment?
No. The fee is set by our 3rd party payment processor and cannot be excluded from your credit card payment. Paying by ACH/eCheck will not incur a fee.
How will the convenience fee appear on my credit card statement?
Your insurance payment and the convenience fee will appear as a single charge on your credit card statement.
I would like to make my payment via my checking account. Is that an option?
Yes. When you log in to make your payment choose the echeck option and this will be one-time payment from your checking account.
How can I pay automatically?
You can pay automatically by using a checking or savings account. To sign up, either contact your agent or log in to your account and select Recurring Payments. The system will offer you the option to add the policies listed within your account. Click on Add and follow the prompts to set up your policy. Recurring payments are currently only offered on a monthly payment plan.
Can I split my payment between two different payment types?
Yes. Please call Customer Service at 800.477.1660 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday.
How do I change my billing method?
Please contact your agent to change your billing method and to learn about all of our pay plans.
Where can I find my online payment number?
Your online payment number can be found on your invoice. If your invoice is not available please call Customer Service at 800.477.1660 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday. A representative can supply you with your online payment number or take your payment over the phone.
When will I receive my bill?
Your bill is sent 24 days in advance of the effective date or your billing due date.
How can I go paperless?
Log in to your online account to sign up to receive your documents and notifications electronically.
Why did I receive a Final Notice of Cancellation/Expiration? I have paid all invoices received.
You may have only paid the invoice from one of your policy terms. If you feel there has been an error, please contact us at 800.477.1660.
Why is my mortgage company named on the claim payment?
If you have a mortgage or loan on your property, the mortgage company or lender is legally required to be listed on your insurance policy, and because of this the lender may be named on your settlement payment. If the mortgage company or lender named on your payment is incorrect, please contact your claim representative. To obtain the mortgage company's endorsement, please contact the mortgage company directly.
Do you offer a good student discount?
Yes. To receive the discount, the student must be getting at least a B average and be at least 16 years old. Please provide a copy of your student's report card to your local agent.
Policies and Coverages
Where can I access a copy of my ID card?
You can access your ID cards through your online account. If you haven't registered for an account before, you'll need your policy number to complete the registration.
How can I add or remove a vehicle from my policy?
You can add or remove a vehicle from your policy in the My Account section of our website. Your local agent can also add or remove a vehicle. You can find your agent's contact information on your Declaration page, or you can search for your agent on our website.
I need to add/remove a driver from my policy. How can I do this?
You can add or remove a driver from your policy in the My Account section of our website. Your local agent can also add or remove a driver. You can find your agent's contact information on your Declaration page, or you can search for your agent on our website.
My policy mentions a specific form. Where can I find this form?
You can find forms in your online account under Policies->Documents. Click here to log in or to create your account.
What does coinsurance mean on a property insurance policy?
It is the percentage of value that the policyholder is required to insure - typically 80%, 90% or 100% of the property’s replacement cost value or actual cash value whichever is stated in your policy. It is there to encourage you to insure the property for at least a minimum amount of the property’s replacement cost. If you insure for less than the minimum amount and have a loss, you will be penalized by sharing in the loss above the deductible. For example, if the replacement value of your home is $100,000 and you insure it for replacement cost with an 80% coinsurance, you must insure it for at least $80,000 in order to avoid the coinsurance penalty and be fully covered.
How can I cancel my policy?
All policy cancellations need to go through your local agent. You can find your agent's contact information on your policy's Declaration page, or you can search for your agent on our website.
How can I get a copy of my policy?
You can access copies of your polices in the My Account section of our website. Log in with your email address and password, or if you haven't set up an account, click "Create Account" for quick and easy access today.
I need to rent a vehicle while my car is being repaired. Do I need to purchase the additional insurance coverage from the rental car company?
Your insurance policy will provide the broadest coverage available for a rental vehicle you are driving as a result of your personal vehicle being out of service. If you do not have collision or comprehensive coverage on any vehicle on your policy, then your policy will not provide that coverage for the rental vehicle.
Please be aware there are damages that may occur to the rental vehicle which might not be covered under your policy, such as loss of value, loss of ability to rent the vehicle, and administrative costs that might be charged by the rental company.
Depending on your own personal financial situation, you may wish to purchase the damage waiver offered by the rental company to avoid or limit these expenses. The additional cost of the damage waiver coverage from the rental agency is typically not reimbursed through your automobile insurance policy.
Be sure to ask your claim representative about coverage available to you under your policy.
General
Do you offer paperless?
Yes! Log in to your online account to sign up to receive your documents and notifications electronically.
How can I sign up for email and text notifications?
Log in to your online account to sign up to receive email and text notifications.
I forgot my password. Where I can reset my password?
To reset your IndianaFarmers.com password, visit the My Account section and click the "Forgot Password" link.