If I Hit a Car, Do I Call My Insurance?

Experiencing a car accident can be disorienting, even with a minor impact. The immediate aftermath often brings questions about what steps to take and when to involve your insurance provider. Understanding the proper protocol following a collision helps manage the situation effectively and ensures compliance with policy requirements. This guide outlines necessary actions after hitting a car, focusing on immediate responses at the scene and navigating the subsequent insurance claims process.

Immediate Steps at the Accident Scene

After a car accident, clear and decisive action is required. Assess yourself and any passengers for injuries; seek medical attention promptly if anyone is hurt. Move your vehicle to a safe location, such as the side of the road, and activate your hazard lights to warn others.

Call 911 for injuries, significant damage, or if vehicles obstruct traffic. Law enforcement can document the scene and create an official accident report, valuable evidence for insurance. A police report is advisable or legally required for minor incidents if property damage exceeds a threshold or if there are injuries.

After ensuring safety, exchange information with the other driver. Collect their full name, contact number, driver’s license, insurance company name, and policy number. Record the other vehicle’s make, model, year, and license plate.

Document the scene with photographs and videos from multiple angles. Capture images of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signs, and skid marks. These visual records provide evidence for your insurance claim. If there are witnesses, ask for their names and contact information.

Deciding When to Contact Your Insurer

After securing the scene and gathering initial information, contact your insurance company. Report any accident involving your vehicle to your insurer, regardless of severity. This ensures you meet policy reporting requirements and allows your insurer to document the incident. Most policies require reporting within 24 to 72 hours.

Contact your insurer promptly if there are injuries, even minor ones. If there is visible damage to either vehicle or property, reporting allows your insurer to assess the loss and initiate the claims process. Delays in reporting can lead to denial of coverage or reduced compensation, hindering investigation.

Even in minor incidents with no apparent damage, reporting prevents later complications. The other party might discover damage later or file a claim. Failing to report could breach policy terms, impacting future coverage or leading to cancellation.

Contact your insurer if the other driver is uncooperative or lacks valid insurance. Your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may apply, but only if properly reported. Reporting allows your insurer to guide you and protect your interests.

Information Essential for Your Insurance Claim

Filing an insurance claim requires comprehensive information. You will need your personal details: full name, contact information, and insurance policy number.

Collect information from the other driver: full name, phone number, and driver’s license. Also collect their vehicle’s make, model, year, license plate, insurance company name, and policy number. This information helps the claims adjuster identify all involved parties and their coverages.

Detailed accident specifics are necessary for your claim. Document the exact date, time, location, weather, and road conditions. A precise description of how the accident occurred, including vehicle direction, helps the adjuster determine liability.

Visual documentation from the scene, such as photographs and videos of vehicles, the accident site, and injuries, should be ready. If law enforcement responded, provide the police report number and officer’s name. If injuries were sustained, gather medical information, including treatment details and healthcare providers, as this supports medical expense claims.

What Happens During the Insurance Claims Process

After reporting the accident and submitting information, your insurer assigns a claims adjuster. The adjuster is your primary contact, evaluating your claim and determining liability. They review provided information, including accident details, photographs, and the police report.

The adjuster assesses damage to determine repair costs for your vehicle. This involves a vehicle inspection by the adjuster or a designated appraiser. They may request repair estimates from approved body shops to align costs with damage. If repair costs exceed a percentage of its actual cash value (ACV), the car may be declared a “total loss”.

Determining liability, identifying who was at fault, is a significant part of the claims process. The adjuster considers all available evidence: driver statements, witness testimonies, police reports, and physical evidence. They analyze these details to assign fault, potentially assigning percentages of blame if multiple parties share responsibility, affecting the payout.

Following assessment and liability determination, settlement options are presented. If your vehicle is repairable, your insurer authorizes repairs, and you can choose a repair shop from their network or your preference. For a total loss, your insurer offers a settlement based on the vehicle’s actual cash value (ACV), its current market value considering depreciation. This ACV represents the vehicle’s worth immediately before the loss.

Maintaining open communication with your claims adjuster is beneficial. Be polite and factual in communication, avoiding speculation or admitting blame, as statements can be used during negotiations.