If Someone Hit My Car, Do I Call Their Insurance Company?

When another driver hits your car, understanding the appropriate steps to take can help protect your interests and streamline the subsequent process. The actions you take at the scene and in the days that follow significantly influence how smoothly your insurance claim proceeds.

Immediate Actions at the Scene

Prioritize your safety and the safety of others after any collision. Move your vehicle to a safe location away from traffic if it is operable and doing so does not pose a further risk. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries, and if anyone is injured, call for emergency medical assistance immediately.

Contacting law enforcement is advisable, especially if there are injuries, significant property damage, or disputes over fault. A police report provides an objective, official record of the incident, which can be invaluable for insurance claims. Law enforcement can also help manage traffic and ensure the scene is secure.

Exchange information with the other driver involved in the accident. Obtain their full name, contact information, driver’s license number, and vehicle license plate number. Gather their insurance company name and policy number, along with the vehicle’s make, model, and year.

Documenting the scene thoroughly is important. Use your phone to take photographs of all vehicle damage, the overall accident location, and any relevant road conditions or traffic signals. If there are witnesses, ask for their names and contact information; their statements can support your account.

Deciding Who to Contact First

After securing the scene and gathering information, contacting your own insurance company first is the most advisable step. Your insurer acts as your advocate and can guide you through the claims process. They will explain your coverage options and help you understand the next steps.

Your insurance policy may include coverage that assists you regardless of fault, such as collision coverage for vehicle damage or personal injury protection for medical expenses. Even if the other driver is clearly at fault, your insurer can initiate the claim on your behalf and communicate with the other party’s insurance company. This can often lead to a quicker resolution, especially if you have collision coverage, as your insurer may pay for repairs and then seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s insurer through a process called subrogation.

Directly contacting the other driver’s insurance company can be done, but it often presents challenges. Their primary allegiance is to their policyholder, not to you, which means they may not prioritize your claim or offer a fair settlement without extensive negotiation. Your own insurer has established processes for dealing with other insurance companies and can navigate these interactions more effectively. When you speak to any insurance representative, be prepared to provide factual information about the accident and the details you gathered at the scene, but avoid admitting fault or speculating about the cause.

Navigating the Insurance Claims Process

Once you have contacted your insurance company and provided the accident details, they will initiate a claim on your behalf. This formal notification begins the process of seeking compensation for damages or injuries. Your insurer will assign a claims adjuster to your case.

The insurance adjuster’s role involves investigating the accident, reviewing police reports, witness statements, and the information you provided. They will assess the damage to your vehicle and determine the extent of your losses. This assessment often involves you taking your vehicle to a repair shop for estimates, or the adjuster may arrange for an inspection.

The adjuster will also work to determine liability. This determination is based on the evidence collected and can significantly impact whose insurance pays for what. Depending on the laws of the state where the accident occurred, liability can be assigned as a percentage, affecting the amount you can recover.

Maintaining clear and consistent communication with your insurance company throughout this process is important. Your adjuster will keep you updated on the claim’s progress, including repair approvals and settlement offers. The timeline for resolution can vary, ranging from a few weeks to several months, depending on the complexity of the accident, the extent of damages, and any disputes over liability.