How does Progressive determine who is at fault?

Asked by: Jaylon Stehr IV  |  Last update: September 15, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (66 votes)

To determine who's at fault in an accident, claims adjusters usually talk to witnesses, look at police reports, and review the accounts of the accident from parties involved. Photos of vehicle or property damage can come into play, as well as a specific state's traffic laws.

How does Progressive determine fault?

How is fault determined? Liability, or fault, will be determined based on state laws and the circumstances of the accident. Depending on the facts of the loss, there may be shared responsibility.

How does the insurance company decide who is at fault?

The adjuster will gather details about the accident. This may include reviewing the police report, interviewing involved parties and assessing photos of damage. Based on their review, the adjuster works with the insurer to determine who's at fault for the accident.

Who determines the cause of an accident?

An insurance company representative usually decides who is at fault for an auto accident. Each driver's insurer determines if they owe damages under their insured's liability policy. They conduct an independent investigation, often using a police report as a formal record of documented parties and facts.

How does Progressive handle accident claims?

Its phone number is 1-800-PROGRESSIVE. A claims representative will speak to you about the accident. The insurer looks into the coverage that you have available, determines its extent, and dispatches an adjuster to make an estimate about damages.

How do adjusters determine who is at fault?

44 related questions found

Is Progressive good at paying claims?

Progressive placed second to last out of 21 car insurance companies surveyed in JD Power's claims satisfaction study of 2024 with a score of 672/1,000, only beating Mercury. For reference, the study average was 697/1,000, and NJM Insurance Co. earned the first spot at 782.

How do I get more for my totaled car?

6 Steps to get the most money from insurance for your totaled car
  1. Ask for the valuation report. ...
  2. Conduct your research on the value of your vehicle. ...
  3. Gather and provide supporting documentation. ...
  4. Consider getting a third-party appraisal. ...
  5. Negotiate with your insurance company. ...
  6. Get what is rightfully yours.

Who determines fault?

Insurance company adjusters determine fault in an auto accident after reviewing the police report and other evidence. They may also ask you and the other driver questions about the collision to try to piece together a reliable narrative of what happened.

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.

Do I have to pay deductible if I was not at fault progressive?

If a driver hits you, your collision coverage will still cover the damage to your vehicle, but you won't have to pay your deductible. In some states, the driver must also be uninsured for a CDW to apply.

How to tell who hit whom in a car accident?

Who Is at Fault in an Accident? 9 Ways to Help Determine Who Hit Who
  1. The Police Report / Crash Report. ...
  2. Witness Statements. ...
  3. Accident Scene Photos or Videos. ...
  4. Vehicle Damage. ...
  5. Victim Injuries. ...
  6. Surveillance Footage. ...
  7. Expert Analysis. ...
  8. Vehicle Event Data Recorders.

Does Progressive have accident forgiveness?

And some will have accident forgiveness available for purchase. Progressive offers free small accident forgiveness and large accident forgiveness for your first accident as part of our loyalty rewards program. You can also opt to pay for additional accident forgiveness benefits when you purchase your auto policy.

Can you fight an at-fault accident?

You may need to file a lawsuit if you can't reach a settlement with the other driver's insurance company. This is a complex and time-consuming process; having an experienced personal injury attorney is important. California has a statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit.

How much does Progressive usually settlement claim?

According to Forbes, the average settlements in terms of personal injury claims relating to car accidents are $20,000 to $25,000. However, your personal injury claim could be worth much more than that depending upon the circumstances of your accident and injuries.

How to tell who sideswiped who by damage?

How do you determine who is at fault in a side-swipe accident? Determining fault in a sideswipe accident typically involves analyzing the damage location and patterns on both vehicles. If one vehicle shows damage primarily on the left side and the other on the right, it suggests they collided parallel to each other.

Will insurance pay out if it was my fault?

Who pays for an at-fault accident? If the situation is clear-cut, or one party admits that they caused the accident, the at-fault driver's auto insurance should pay for any property damage and medical bills, and in some cases compensation for other damages, such as pain and suffering.

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.

How does insurance work if it's not your fault?

If you are not at fault, you will file a claim and pursue compensation from the other driver's car insurance, not yours. If the other driver did not have insurance, you can use your own UIM coverage—if you have it.

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.

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.

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.

Whose fault or who is at fault?

The proper phrasing is "whose fault?" "Who's" is a contraction of "who is" or "who has," and it is not used in this situation. "Whose" is a possessive pronoun that signifies ownership or association and is used to inquire about the person in charge of something. "Whose fault is it that the cake burned?" for example.

Can you negotiate when your car is totaled?

Yes, you can negotiate with the insurance company if your car is totaled. However, just like other types of claims, you should understand the potential value of your case and take this into account before accepting an offer from the insurer.

What happens if you don't agree with a total loss adjuster?

Sometimes, insurance adjusters and policyholders disagree on the car's value. When you don't agree with the settlement amount, you can negotiate with your adjuster. They assess the damage and determine how your coverage applies to damages and injuries. to get a better insurance payout.

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.