Should I Call My Insurance If It Wasn’t My Fault?

Even if a car accident was not your fault, deciding whether to contact your own insurance company can be confusing. Many people assume that since another driver is responsible, their insurer is not involved. Engaging with your own insurance provider offers advantages and fulfills policy obligations. This decision involves understanding immediate post-accident procedures and the subsequent claims process.

Steps Immediately Following an Accident

Immediately after a car accident, ensuring the safety of all involved is the primary concern. Check for injuries; if anyone is hurt, contact emergency services without delay. If your vehicle is drivable and safe to move, pull it to the side of the road to prevent further incidents.

Once safety is established, exchange information with the other driver. Collect their full name, contact details, insurance company and policy number, driver’s license number, and vehicle information (make, model, license plate). Document the scene thoroughly. Take photographs and videos of the vehicles, showing damage from various angles, and capture images of the surrounding area, including road conditions and landmarks.

If there are witnesses, ask for their names and contact information. Their statements can provide an impartial account. Report the accident to the police, especially if there are injuries, significant property damage, or if required by local regulations. Obtain the police report number, as this document contains details valuable for insurance claims.

Why Contacting Your Own Insurer is Important

Contacting your own insurance company, even when not at fault, is often necessary. Most insurance policies contain clauses that require policyholders to report accidents promptly, regardless of who caused them. Failing to do so can lead to issues with your coverage or future claims. Adhering to these reporting requirements ensures compliance with your policy terms.

Your insurer can advocate for you, especially if the at-fault driver or their insurance company is uncooperative. They possess the expertise and resources to communicate directly with the other party’s insurer, helping to streamline the process and reduce the burden on you. This is helpful in navigating complex situations or liability disputes.

Utilizing your own coverage can provide immediate relief for expenses. Medical Payments (MedPay) or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage can cover medical bills for you and your passengers, regardless of fault. Collision coverage can pay for your vehicle repairs, and your insurer can then seek reimbursement from the at-fault party’s insurer. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage can cover damages and injuries.

Reporting the accident to your insurer creates an official record from your perspective. This documentation is important if the other party disputes fault or files a claim against you. Your insurance company is obligated to provide a defense if such a claim arises, protecting your financial interests. This step safeguards your rights and ensures support after the accident.

Understanding the Claim Process

After contacting your own insurance company, the claim process begins with an initial report. You will provide details from the accident scene, such as the other driver’s information, witness contacts, and police report number. Many insurers offer convenient methods for this, including phone calls or online portals.

Following your report, an insurance adjuster will be assigned to your case. This adjuster will conduct an investigation into the accident. Their investigation may involve reviewing the police report, examining photographs and witness statements, and assessing the damage to your vehicle. This step helps establish liability and determine the extent of the damages.

Your insurer will communicate with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Your insurer will work to establish liability and seek compensation for your damages directly from the other party’s carrier. This communication facilitates payment for repairs, medical bills, and other related expenses.

If your insurance company pays for your damages using your own coverage, such as collision or medical payments, they will then initiate a process called subrogation. Through subrogation, your insurer seeks reimbursement from the at-fault party’s insurance company for the amounts they paid out on your behalf. This process ensures that your insurer recovers their costs, and if your deductible was paid, they will work to recover that for you as well. The final stage involves reaching a resolution and settlement, where funds are disbursed for vehicle repairs and medical expenses, bringing the claim to a close.