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Car insurance claim denied? You're not alone. Many Filipino car owners miss out on payouts due to simple, avoidable errors. This guide breaks down the top reasons claims get rejected, which documents are often missing, and how to make sure your next car insurance claim goes through—stress-free.
You just got into a car accident and were counting on your car insurance to help with the costs. Pero surprise—your car insurance claim got denied. Nakakainis, ‘di ba?
You’re not the only one. In fact, denied car insurance claims are one of the top complaints among Filipino car owners, according to the Insurance Commission. And most of the time, it’s not because of fraud or major issues—but small, avoidable mistakes. Think: missing documents, late reporting, or claiming for something your car insurance policy doesn’t even cover.
In this article, we’ll walk you through:
The most common reasons car insurance claims get denied or rejected
What documents actually count—and which ones don’t
How to file a car insurance claim the right way
What you can do if your claim was unfairly denied
Whether you're driving a brand-new car or an older ride, understanding how your car insurance works can save you time, stress, and money.
In 2022, over 20% of car insurance claims filed by private vehicle owners in Metro Manila were delayed, incomplete, or denied—mostly because of missing documents or filing beyond the allowed period. That’s a huge chunk of drivers missing out on reimbursements simply because of technicalities.
Imagine this: you get into a minor car accident. Nothing too serious, so you file a car insurance claim thinking it’s just routine. But instead of getting reimbursed, you receive an email that says: “Claim denied.” Big hassle, zero bayad.
Car insurance is designed to protect you from these exact situations—but it only works if you follow the rules. One missed step, and you could end up paying out of pocket, even if your car is insured.
Let’s break down the most common reasons car insurance claims get rejected—starting with a mistake that catches even the most responsible car owners off guard:
Timing is everything. Most car insurance policies in the Philippines require you to report an incident within 7 to 30 days—some even sooner. But many drivers delay filing, thinking:
“Ayusin ko muna sa casa, then I’ll submit.”
Bad move.
Delays in reporting or submitting documents are one of the top reasons car insurance claims get denied.
Here’s what most insurers expect:
Report the incident ASAP—ideally within 24 to 72 hours
Submit all required documents within the claim period stated in your policy
Oona Tip: File the report right away, even if you don’t have all the paperwork yet. That locks in your timeline and shows you followed the proper process—reducing the chances of a technical rejection.
Even if you meet the deadline, there’s another common deal-breaker: forgetting the police report. Many claims—especially for theft, collision, or third-party damage—require it. Missing this one document could cost you your entire claim.
Here’s a hard truth: in the Philippines, not having a police report is one of the fastest ways to get your car insurance claim denied—even for minor car accidents.
Insurance providers almost always require an official police report for claims involving:
Collisions
Theft or vandalism
Third-party damage
Some drivers assume a barangay blotter or a few photos will do the trick. Unfortunately, unless your insurer explicitly states otherwise (in writing!), that assumption could cost you your claim.
Pro tip: If the accident happens in a low-traffic area and doesn’t require an on-site response, you can request a PNP Traffic Incident Report (TIR). It’s faster to obtain and is usually accepted by insurers for processing car insurance claims.
And remember: even if your paperwork is perfect, some claims still get rejected simply because the type of damage isn’t covered by your car insurance policy. That’s why understanding your policy is just as important as submitting the right documents.
Here’s a common reason why many car insurance claims in the Philippines get rejected: the damage simply isn’t included in the coverage.
Not all car insurance policies offer full protection. If you’re relying on CTPL (Compulsory Third Party Liability) or a basic comprehensive car insurance plan, some types of damage won’t be covered at all. These often include:
Flood or water damage – unless your policy includes an Acts of Nature rider
Theft – if your policy doesn’t have theft coverage
Fire, riot, or malicious damage – if those events are excluded from your plan
A lot of Filipino car owners assume they’re protected from anything that could happen to their vehicle—but car insurance only works if you know exactly what’s included.
Always double-check your policy coverage before filing a claim.
Need help deciding what type of protection fits you best? Check out our guide: Do I Really Need Comprehensive Car Insurance?
And don’t forget—your coverage might also depend on who was driving during the incident. Yup, that matters too. More on that next.
You might assume that as long as the car is insured, your car insurance claim is good to go. But here’s the kicker: it also matters who was driving.
Many car insurance claims in the Philippines get rejected because of issues with the driver—not the vehicle. Your claim may be denied if:
The driver didn’t have a valid license at the time of the incident
The driver wasn’t listed or authorized under your car insurance policy
The driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI)
Even if it’s your own car, letting your brother, friend, or neighbor drive it without meeting your policy’s conditions could void your claim entirely.
Oona Reminder: Always review the Named Driver or Authorized Driver clauses in your policy. Some plans only cover certain people behind the wheel—and yes, insurers really check.
And even if you’ve done everything right—followed timelines, secured a police report, and had the right driver—your claim can still be denied if your documents are missing or unclear. Let’s get into that next.
Even if everything else is in order, your car insurance claim can still be denied in the Philippines for one frustrating reason: your paperwork didn’t make the cut.
Insurers rely on clear, complete documentation to process your claim. If you miss even one requirement—or if your photos are too grainy to show the damage—your claim might end up in the rejection pile.
Here’s what most car insurance providers require for a smooth claim process:
OR/CR (Official Receipt & Certificate of Registration) of your car
Photos of the damage—from multiple angles, and in good lighting
Police or barangay report (especially for collisions, theft, or third-party damage)
Valid government-issued ID
Duly accomplished claim form
Repair estimate or invoice (if you’ve already started repairs)
Use your phone’s camera in landscape mode and avoid using screenshots or compressed images. Clarity matters.
Your claim is only as strong as the paper trail behind it—so triple-check every requirement before you submit.
Common document issues:
Illegible photos or scanned copies
Missing pages or outdated forms
Inconsistent details (e.g. plate number doesn’t match OR/CR)
Oona Tip: You don’t need to print anything! Oona accepts digital submissions—just make sure your photos and PDFs are clear, legible, and complete.
Up next: one last reason claims get rejected—especially when the car’s been modified or repaired before claim approval.
Love tweaking your ride? That’s cool—until it costs you your car insurance claim.
In the Philippines, car modifications—like lifted suspensions, engine remapping, or aftermarket body kits—can lead to claim rejection if they’re not declared in your car insurance policy. Especially if the mods are seen as a factor in the accident or damage.
Undeclared vehicle modifications = big red flag for insurers.
Another claim killer? Jumping the gun on repairs.
If you start fixing your car before your claim is officially approved, you may be kissing your reimbursement goodbye—unless it was an emergency repair.
Unless it’s an emergency fix, wait for:
Official go signal from the insurer
An adjuster inspection (if required)
Even if your car insurance coverage is solid, small oversights like these can lead to instant denials.
Up next: how tiny inconsistencies in your claim documents can cause big problems.
This is the big one—the fastest way to get your car insurance claim denied in the Philippines.
Insurance companies are trained to spot signs of potential fraud, and even if you didn’t mean to mislead anyone, small inconsistencies can trigger an automatic rejection—or worse, get you blacklisted.
Red flags include:
Damage that doesn’t match your account of the incident
Tampered receipts or duplicate photos
Asking a body shop to inflate repair costs
Even if it’s unintentional, unclear or conflicting information can put your claim at serious risk.
Oona Tip: Honesty goes a long way. Always describe the incident truthfully and provide clean, consistent documentation. It’s better to be upfront than to have your claim flagged—and potentially lose your car insurance protection altogether.
Now let’s do a quick recap of all the major claim rejection reasons so you know exactly what to watch out for next time. Ready? Let’s break it down.
Reason |
Avoid It By |
|---|---|
Late reporting |
File ASAP, even while gathering docs |
No police report |
Always secure one, even for minor collisions |
Damage not covered by your policy |
Review your coverage before filing |
Unauthorized driver or no license |
Make sure the driver is covered and licensed |
Incomplete or poor-quality documents |
Use clear, full scans and complete your paperwork |
Unauthorized repairs or car mods |
Get insurer approval before fixing anything |
Fraud or inconsistencies |
Be transparent and accurate in your statements |
Understanding these triggers is your first defense. But the real win? Avoiding them altogether—before you even hit the road.
Getting your car insurance claim denied is a double whammy—first the accident, then the out-of-pocket cost. But here’s the good news: most rejections are 100% preventable. It all comes down to knowing your policy, filing on time, and submitting the right documents.
At Oona Insurance, we make it easier for Filipino drivers to get it right. Our claims process is:
100% digital – Submit your car insurance claim online, no physical forms needed
Crystal clear – Know exactly what’s covered before you file
Backed by support – Our team is here to help, every step of the way
Smart driving doesn’t end on the road—it includes being smart with your car insurance too.
Plan smarter. Claim smarter. Because the right protection only works when you know how to use it.
Ready to protect your ride the right way? Get a free auto insurance quote from Oona
