Should I notify my insurance company if it wasn't my fault?

Asked by: Dr. Adrienne Herzog I  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.1/5 (70 votes)

Yes, you should call your insurance company if you were in a car accident that was not your fault. ... First, your insurance company may require you to contact them as outlined in your policy. Second, you may discover available coverage to help you with your damages, even if the accident is not your fault.

Should you contact your insurance company if you are not at fault?

Yes. Regardless of fault, it is important to call your insurance company and report any accident that involved injuries or property damage. A common myth is that you do not need to contact your insurance company if you were not at fault.

When someone hits your car do you call your insurance or theirs?

The person who hit your car is responsible for contacting their insurance company, but you should provide their insurance information to your insurance provider when you report the accident.

Should I file a claim if it wasn't my fault?

You should always call your insurance company if you get into an accident involving another driver whether you are at fault or not, especially if the accident caused injuries or property damage. ... If you want to file a claim, you'll be required to notify your insurance company as soon as possible after an accident.

Should I tell my insurance company about a minor accident?

Insurance Disclosure

But if the accident does not result in major damage or injuries, you might wonder, “Should I call my insurance company after a minor accident?” The short answer is yes — it is always a good idea to let your insurance company know when you have been involved in a collision.

Should I Report My Car Crash To My Insurance Company If It’s Not My Fault? – CA Lawyer Frank Nunes

25 related questions found

Do I need to declare accident in company car?

Understanding that Employees need to declare an accident in a company car to their personal motor insurer. ... However, it is essential they do so as their own insurer needs to calculate an individual's risk as a driver.

What should you not say to your insurance company after an accident?

Avoid using phrases like “it was my fault,” “I'm sorry,” or “I apologize.” Don't apologize to your insurer, the other driver, or law enforcement. Even if you are simply being polite and not intentionally admitting fault, these types of words and phrases will be used against you.

Have you been involved in an accident that wasn't your fault?

If you have been injured as the result of an incident that wasn't your fault, the chances are that you're probably entitled to compensation. The key thing to note is that you suffered an injury that wasn't your fault. In fact it may have been down to the fault or negligence of another party.

What happens if insurance company Cannot contact other driver?

If you don't know the other person's insurance company and have no way of contacting the at-fault driver, get a “declarations page” from your insurance company to see the extent of your coverage. In the very least, you may find that your coverage will be enough to fix all of your damages and pay any medical bills.

How does insurance work if someone hits your car?

If someone hits your car and you do have collision coverage, then your insurance company can help pay for repairs. Collision coverage will also cover damage to your car if you caused the accident, or if there were no other drivers involved, like if you drove into a telephone pole.

Do insurance companies talk to each other?

While car insurance companies don't talk directly to each other, they do share information. All car insurance companies can access your claims history through a database called the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE). They will also use other similar statistics to assess your risk.

What do you do after a car accident that wasn't your fault?

You should absolutely call the police, whether the accident was a minor fender bender or a significant crash. If the accident wasn't your fault, having an official police report will help you hold the other driver accountable for damages and repair costs.

Can I ignore an insurance claim?

While your own insurer must act in good faith in regard to your claim, the other party's insurer has no such obligation. They can simply ignore you. For this reason, we recommend contacting an experienced California accident lawyer before making a claim directly against another party's insurance.

Can you sue the other person's insurance company?

A lawsuit filed in relation to your crash will generally be filed against the at-fault party. In other words, you do not sue the other driver's insurance company. ... The reason that you typically cannot sue the other driver's insurance company directly is that the insurer has no legal obligation to you.

How much does a non-fault claim affect my insurance?

Regardless of whose fault it was, making a claim will almost always lead to an increase in your car insurance premium. Luckily, a non-fault claim won't affect it as much as an at-fault claim will. Even if you don't make a claim after an accident, you could still see an increase in your insurance premium.

How long does it take for insurance to pay out after accident?

Once an insurance company has admitted liability and agreed to process the claim, they tend to move quickly. Some claimants receive their compensation in a few days. More commonly, the claimant will receive their compensation payment within 2 and 4 weeks.

What should I not tell an insurance adjuster?

As a car accident attorney, I recommend you don't say these 6 things to an insurance adjuster when they're investigating your case.
  • "Sorry" or "It was my fault" ...
  • "I'm OK" or "I'm Fine" ...
  • "They Came out of Nowhere" ...
  • "I Think…" ...
  • "Sure, You Can Record a Statement" ...
  • "I'm thinking about seeing a doctor…"

How soon should you call your insurance after an accident?

Notify your agent and/or your insurance company immediately. If anyone is injured or the vehicle damage exceeds $750.00, you must report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days. Failure to notify the DMV may result in the suspension of your driver's license.

Does your insurance go up if someone hits you?

Naturally, most injured victims that contact our firm want to know about the financial consequences of the collision. A common question that potential clients ask us when they call is whether their car insurance rates will increase as a result of the collision – even if they weren't at fault. The answer: no.

Should I tell my insurance company about a minor accident UK?

Always notify your insurers if you are involved in an accident, however minor it may be and regardless of whether there is any damage. If you are involved in an accident and do not wish to make a claim on your policy you can simply advise your insurers about the accident 'For notification purposes only'.

How much do insurance premiums go up after a claim?

Filing a claim often results in a rate hike that could be in the 20% to 40% range. The increased rates stay in effect for years, although the size and longevity of the hike can vary widely between insurers.

What happens if you don't respond to a claim?

Defendants sometimes choose to ignore the letter of claim. By ignoring the letter, the defendant may think the problem will go away. Or maybe they are playing for time. If the defendant fails to acknowledge the letter of claim, your solicitor can apply to the court for an order that forces the defendant to respond.

How long after a car accident can you file a claim?

Car accident claim time limit: Car accidents and road traffic accidents in general have a three-year limit from the date of the accident. If you were left incapacitated and unable to claim for some time after your accident, you would have a three-year limit from the date of recovery.

Will my premium go up if I am not at fault?

Generally, a no-fault accident won't cause your car insurance rates to rise. This is because the at-fault party's insurance provider will be responsible for your medical expenses and vehicle repairs. If your insurer doesn't need to fork out money, your premiums won't go up.

What happens if someone hits you and they don't have insurance?

In California, accident victims have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages from a negligent party. However, if the person who is responsible for your injuries did not carry insurance, they may not be able to cover the cost of your injuries.