Detailed answer — step-by-step process under South Carolina law

Insurers in South Carolina must handle claims fairly and promptly. If your auto damage claim was closed without notice, follow these steps to maximize your chance of reopening it and protecting your rights.

1. Confirm what happened

Before you act, gather what you already have and verify the insurer actually closed the file. Look for a claim closure, settlement, or denial letter, an online claim status that says “closed,” or checks they issued. If there is no written notice, the insurer’s file, your online account, emails, or voicemail messages may still show closure.

2. Assemble the claim file

• Policy declarations page and relevant endorsements.
• Claim number and any correspondence (letters, emails, text messages, claim notes if available).
• Photos of the damage, repair estimates, invoices, rental car receipts, police reports, and witness statements.
• Any payments the insurer made or checks you received.

3. Make a written request to reopen — and prove delivery

Send a concise written request to the adjuster and the insurer’s claims department. Include:

• Claim number and policy number.
• Clear statement that the claim appears to have been closed without notice and that you request it be reopened.
• Any new evidence or information that justifies reopening (for example, new repair estimates, photos, or invoices).
• A reasonable request for a prompt response and contact information.

Deliver this request so you have proof: certified mail with return receipt, commercial overnight delivery with tracking, or email if you have read-receipts and the insurer acknowledges email. Keep copies of everything.

4. Ask for a written explanation of the closure

If the insurer responds that the claim was closed for a particular reason, request a written explanation of the basis for closure and the policy provisions relied upon. South Carolina’s unfair claims practices law identifies failure to acknowledge or act promptly on communications as an unfair practice, so you can cite bad handling if the insurer won’t explain.

(See South Carolina Code, Title 38, Chapter 59 — Unfair Insurance Practices: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t38c059.php).

5. Provide new proof or correct misunderstandings

If the claim was closed because the insurer thought repairs were completed or because of missing documentation, supply the missing items. If a contractor or shop made a mistake in an estimate or report, get corrected documentation and submit it promptly.

6. Escalate within the company

If the adjuster does not respond or refuses to reopen the claim, escalate to a supervisor, the claims manager, or the insurer’s complaint/appeals unit. Put all escalation requests in writing and record dates, times, and names of people you spoke with.

7. File a complaint with the South Carolina Department of Insurance

If your insurer will not reopen the claim, you can file a consumer complaint with the South Carolina Department of Insurance (DOI). The DOI can investigate consumer complaints, request company records, and sometimes resolve handling problems. Keep copies of everything you submitted to the insurer when you file the complaint.

South Carolina Department of Insurance: https://doi.sc.gov

8. Consider legal options

If the insurer improperly denied or closed your claim and you cannot resolve it through internal appeals or the DOI, you may have contract-based or extra-contractual claims (for example, breach of contract or bad-faith handling). Talk to an attorney experienced in South Carolina insurance and auto-accident matters to evaluate whether legal action is appropriate. An attorney can also send a demand letter, negotiate, or file suit if necessary.

9. Preserve evidence and timelines

Preserve all documents, photos, repair shop work orders, and contemporaneous notes of phone calls. Courts and regulators look to the timing of events and communications. Prompt preservation strengthens your position whether you reopen administratively or litigate later.

10. Keep realistic expectations and document costs

Track your out-of-pocket costs (rental car, towing, storage) and include those when asking the insurer to reopen and resolve the claim. If you paid for repairs after the closure, keep receipts and photos showing repairs and any related problems.

Why South Carolina law matters here

South Carolina’s Unfair Insurance Practices statutes require insurers to handle claims honestly and promptly. While the statutes do not automatically reopen closed claims for you, mismanagement — including failing to act promptly on communications or failing to provide reasonable explanations — can be a basis for a complaint to the Department of Insurance and potentially for private legal claims under state law.

See Title 38, Chapter 59, South Carolina Code: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t38c059.php

Helpful Hints

• Act quickly. Reopen requests and complaints are easier to win if you move promptly after discovering the closure.
• Always use written communications for important requests and confirmations. If you call, write a follow-up email summarizing the call and asking the person to confirm.
• Keep a single chronological binder or digital folder with every document, photo, receipt, and contact note related to the claim.
• When you submit new information, highlight or summarize the key facts so an adjuster can see why reopening is warranted.
• If the insurer claims it mailed a closure notice but you never received it, ask for the claim file and any delivery proof (mail logs, email logs). Insurers often keep claim notes that show what they sent and when.
• File with the South Carolina Department of Insurance if you hit a dead end: https://doi.sc.gov
• If you think you may sue, contact an attorney early so that evidence is preserved and deadlines are identified.