If someone hits my car, do I call my insurance or theirs?
You should always call your own insurance company after an accident, regardless of who you think is at fault.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Oct 18, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Oct 18, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Your auto insurance company represents you as the driver, and you are required to notify your insurance agent when you have an accident, regardless of who is at fault
- You should not contact the other driver’s insurance, as this may impair your ability to get compensation for damages from that insurer
- You want to work with your insurance adjuster on any claims issues rather than contacting the other driver’s company
If you are in a car accident, you may be in shock and not know what steps to take. Even in you think you know who is at fault, you may wonder whose insurance company you should call.
You have exchanged information with the other driver and gotten their insurance company’s phone number. Although you may be tempted to call the other driver’s insurer to file a claim, you should not do so. Contacting the other insurance company directly can negatively impact your potential compensation
Instead, you need to report the accident to your own insurer. Read on to learn valuable information about what you are required to say when you have an accident and why you should not contact the other driver’s insurance company.
Whose insurance should I call after an accident?
If you are in an accident, you need to call your insurance company. This is true even if the other person is clearly at fault in the accident. Do not contact the other driver’s insurance company under any circumstances.
When you contact the insurance company, you will need to provide basic information such as the date and time of the accident. Other essential details include the address of where the accident took place, the part of your car that was damaged, and where your vehicle was taken after the accident.
You should also be able to recount details that led to the accident and the driving conditions. Write down this info at the time of the accident so you can give it to your insurer:
- Police report number
- Names of passengers or witnesses
- Insurance policy information for other drivers
- Name of the other drivers involved
Your insurance company will need complete and accurate information to process your claim correctly.
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What should you do after a car accident?
When you sign up for a car insurance policy, you agree to pay premiums for coverage by the insurer if you file a claim. As the policyholder, you also agree to specific terms and conditions. You want to make sure you have a good understanding of your car insurance policy.
You may be overwhelmed by the number of terms and conditions listed in your policy. You can comply with most of these obligations by maintaining your vehicle and license and not taking additional risks.
Most insurance companies require policyholders to provide notification if something happens that could result in a claim.
Insurers usually allow customers a time window to notify an agent of an incident. Be sure to contact your insurance company and make your agent aware of any incidents as soon as you are reasonably able to do so.
Consequences for Not Reporting Accidents
Insurance companies take notification requirements seriously for several reasons. The primary purpose is to limit the number of fraudulent claims filed. Remember that even if you don’t think you need to file a claim, the other drive might file one, and your insurance company will be contacted.
If you do not report an accident, your insurer can terminate your policy. If you lose coverage, you may have to pay for any claims from your personal funds.
The insurance company could also refuse to pay any claim against you if you did not notify your agent of the incident. This would also cause you to be personally liable to third parties for any damages.
Failure to report an incident is a breach of your insurance agreement that gives the insurer the standing to refuse to fulfill its end of the bargain.
Protection by Providing Notification
Your first line of defense against a false claim or an unfavorable coverage determination is to notify your insurer of any incident.
Some people do not report incidents because they are scared their rates will be increased. In fact, the opposite is true. If you violate the terms and conditions of your insurance agreement by failing to report an accident, your policy may be canceled. This will cost you more money as you will have to pay damages out of your own pocket.
If your policy is not canceled, your claim may be denied, or you could be found at fault. If the claim is denied, you would have to pay for any damages. If you are found at fault, your rates can get raised.
Your insurer will likely have an adjuster speak to you to evaluate the claim. Adjusters are trained to get facts favorable to the insurance company and reduce payouts on the claim. Your conversation will most likely be recorded. Any statements you make can be used against you and may impair your ability to make a proper recovery.
Your insurance company’s adjuster will work on your behalf to make sure the other driver’s insurance covers the damages as required.
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Getting Repairs Done Quickly
If the other driver’s insurance company is dragging its feet on paying your claim, you may not be able to use your vehicle for a while. You can avoid this situation by getting a full coverage policy through your insurer.
Under a full coverage policy, your insurer will pay for collision damages while awaiting the outcome of a final determination of who was at fault. If the other party is deemed responsible, your insurer will collect reimbursement for any payments made from the other driver’s insurer.
If you have an unsatisfactory experience in processing a claim with your current insurance, consider finding another carrier. Research the best companies for car insurance. Any existing claims will still need to be satisfied by your insurer at the time of the incident, so you may want to stay a customer until your claim is resolved.
Final Advice on Reporting Accidents
After an accident, you must contact your insurance company to alert an agent of the situation. A failure to report the incident could lead to negative consequences, such as cancellation of your policy or a refusal to pay claims.
It is never in your best interest to contact the other driver’s insurance company. You can also get your car repaired while awaiting a final determination of responsibility if you have a full coverage policy through your insurance company.
Frequently Asked Questions
If another driver hits my car, who should I call first – my insurance company or theirs?
In the event that someone hits your car, it’s generally recommended to contact your own insurance company first. Regardless of who is at fault, it is important to inform your insurance provider about the accident as soon as possible. They can guide you through the claims process and provide the necessary support.
Why should I call my own insurance company if the other driver caused the accident?
Contacting your own insurance company is important for several reasons. Firstly, they can help protect your rights and ensure that your claim is handled appropriately. They can also provide advice on what steps to take and what information to gather at the accident scene. Furthermore, even if the other driver is at fault, it’s possible that their insurance coverage may be insufficient to cover the damages, or they may not have insurance at all. In such cases, your own insurance policy may offer additional coverage options, such as uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, which can help cover your expenses.
What information should I gather when someone hits my car?
When involved in a car accident, it’s crucial to gather important information from the other driver and any witnesses. Here are the key details to collect:
- The other driver’s full name, contact information, and insurance details (if available).
- License plate number and vehicle make/model of the other car.
- Date, time, and location of the accident.
- Photos or videos of the accident scene, including damages to both vehicles.
- Contact information of any witnesses present.
- Police report number, if applicable.
What should I do if the other driver’s insurance company contacts me directly?
If the other driver’s insurance company contacts you directly, it’s generally advisable to politely decline providing them with a detailed statement or discussing the accident in-depth. Instead, inform them that you will be reporting the incident to your own insurance company and that they should contact your insurance company for further information. Remember, your insurance company is there to protect your interests and handle the claims process on your behalf.
Will filing a claim with my insurance company affect my premium, even if I’m not at fault?
Filing a claim with your insurance company may or may not affect your premium, depending on your specific policy and the insurance regulations in your jurisdiction. Generally, if you’re not at fault and the other driver’s insurance company covers all the costs, your own insurance rates may not be affected. However, it’s always recommended to review your insurance policy or consult with your insurance agent to understand how filing a claim may impact your premiums.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.