Do you call your insurance or theirs?
Asked by: Ally Kassulke | Last update: July 13, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (57 votes)
Is it better to use your insurance or theirs?
After a car accident, you should notify your insurance company and file a claim, and not deal with the other driver's insurer. Except in rare circumstances, it is not wise to contact them. Your insurance company represents you, and the other driver's insurance company represents them.
Do I have to call the other person insurance?
Even if the collision was not your fault, they might try to contact you. Either way, you need to be careful about what you say and what information you provide. You are not legally required to talk to the other driver's insurance company.
Do you call your insurance agent or insurance company?
Filing a claim or coverage questions. Call your insurance agent with almost anything regarding your policy. If you want to update your insurance policy or just have questions make sure to contact your agent.
Should I call my insurance if it wasn't my fault progressive?
Start the claims process
Regardless of who's at fault, it's a good idea to inform your car insurance company that an accident occurred.
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When someone hits you, do you call their insurance?
If the at-fault driver is uninsured or leaves the scene, your own insurance will pay if you have the right coverage. Always call your own insurance company, even if you think the other driver is at fault.
Do insurance rates go up after a no-fault accident?
Some may raise your premiums by 10 percent, while others may charge you only 2 percent more. In addition, certain states, such as California and Oklahoma, don't allow insurance companies to increase rates after a non-fault claim.
What happens if you don't call your insurance after an accident?
Failing to contact your insurance company shortly after being in a car accident can lead to them denying your claim. Waiting to contact your insurance company can also make it more difficult for the insurance company to investigate your case, which could lead to you receiving a lower settlement amount.
Who gets the insurance check when a car is totaled?
If you own the car without any loans or liens, you will receive a check for the value assessed by the insurance company. If there is a loan, the check usually goes first to the leasing company or the lender. If you owe money on the vehicle, you should notify the lending company that your car has been totaled.
What to do if someone claims you hit their car?
- Evaluate the Situation.
- Speak to the Other Party Politely.
- Take Photos and Videos.
- Gather Witnesses.
- Check for Nearby Cameras.
- Report the Incident.
- Explain Your Side Clearly.
- When to Consult an Attorney.
Should I call my car insurance or theirs?
If you get into a car accident, you are under no obligation to call another driver's insurance company to work out the claim. All you need to do is talk to your insurance provider when you get into an accident or if someone else hits your car, and they will handle the claim on your behalf.
Should I file a claim if I'm not at fault?
Always File a Claim, Regardless of Who Was At-Fault
One of the primary questions we receive from clients who have been in an accident is whether they should report the accident to their own auto insurance carrier, particularly when the accident was not their fault. And the answer to that question is: always.
Should you contact the other person after an accident?
When involved in a car accident, there are specific details you should share with the other driver to ensure proper documentation and help facilitate any potential insurance claims, including: Contact information: Provide your full name, phone number, and address. Request the same information from the other driver.
Can my son drive my car if he is not insured?
Most insurers cover someone else driving the policyholder's car with their permission once in a while. But, if you're going to start driving one of your parent's cars regularly, you'll need to be added or named on their auto insurance. You can't legally drive your parents' car without any insurance at all, either.
Should I talk to the other guy's insurance company?
First and foremost the answer to that is, no. Legally, there is no requirement for you to speak with the other driver's insurance company. You do likely have to talk to your own insurance company as they will need your account of what happened.
Can my husband drive my car if he is not on my insurance?
Usually, yes. Your car insurance coverage should be able to extend to anyone else driving your car. Even if someone isn't listed on the policy, they can operate your vehicle. If you explicitly name someone as an excluded driver in your policy, however, none of this applies to them.
Can you ask for more money when your car is totaled?
In some cases, you may get more insurance money for a totaled car than for repairs. In addition, it is possible to negotiate a higher settlement by providing evidence that your car was worth more than the insurance company's initial valuation.
Is it better to have a car totaled or repaired?
Repairing your vehicle is cheaper than taking out a loan or paying monthly payments on a brand-new vehicle. It is often in the best interest of the insurance company to total a car, so you will need to look out for your own best interests.
What happens when your car is totaled but still drivable?
Rebuilt/Reconstructed Title: Once a salvage vehicle has been repaired and inspected, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will issue a "rebuilt" or "reconstructed" title for the vehicle. Once you obtain this, you can legally drive the vehicle.
Do I contact the other person's insurance?
You're Not Required to Speak With the Other Driver's Insurance Company. No matter what type of car accident you've been in, you're not legally required to speak with the other insurance company's representative.
Does your insurance go up if someone hits you?
If you are involved in an accident and file a claim, even if it was not your fault, your insurance company may see you as a higher risk to insure and increase your rates. Consider speaking with a licensed insurance agent to see how much insurance could increase after an accident where you're not at fault.
Is it better to pay out of pocket or use car insurance?
If you can afford to pay out of pocket for the damages, it can be cheaper in the long run than having your insurance rates impacted for the next five years. However, the person you hit might not want you to pay out of pocket and would prefer to handle it through the insurance company.
Should I file an insurance claim if I am at fault?
If you damage someone else's vehicle during a significant collision, and you're at fault, you should always file a claim.
Will my insurance go up if I get hit by an uninsured driver?
However, under California's proposition 103, insurance companies are not allowed to raise rates or drop a person because they made an uninsured motorist claim.
What happens if someone who isn't on your insurance crashes your car Progressive?
Allowing another licensed driver to borrow your vehicle is known as "permissive use," which means you give someone, who isn't listed on your car insurance policy, permission to operate your vehicle. If they're involved in an accident, your auto insurance may pay for the damages and injuries, up to your coverage limits.