Should I talk to my insurance company after an accident?

Asked by: Leslie Miller  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.8/5 (66 votes)

It's usually a good idea to contact your insurance company after an accident or collision regardless of who is at fault. Your insurer may be able to advise you on how to file a third party claim, and they might even handle communicating with the other driver's insurance company for you.

What should you not tell 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.

Should you call your insurance after an accident that wasn't your fault?

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.

What questions should I ask my insurance company after an accident?

Questions to Ask Your Insurance Company After a Car Accident
  • WHY SHOULD I TALK TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY? ...
  • WHAT DOES MY INSURANCE COVER? ...
  • IF I'M INJURED, WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH MY BILLS? ...
  • WHAT SHOULD I REPORT? ...
  • SHOULD I TALK TO THE OTHER PERSON'S INSURANCE COMPANY?

How soon should I call my insurance company 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.

Should I Talk to the Other Driver's Insurance Company After an Accident? | Car Accident FAQ (2020)

34 related questions found

Do I need to tell my car insurance if someone hits me?

Yes, you need to declare all accidents that you're involved in, regardless of who, or what, was at fault. Pretty much all insurance providers will have a clause in their policy requiring you to declare any incidences you're involved in while driving in the past 5 years.

Should I contact the person who hit my car?

It's especially important to call the police if anyone is injured, the damage to your car is severe, or other property has been damaged. ... If you can, try to obtain a copy of the police report or the report number so that your insurance company can easily obtain it.

How do you deal with insurance after a car accident?

Five Tips To Help You Deal With The Insurance Company Following A Car Accident
  1. Gather as Much Evidence As Possible. ...
  2. Keep Strict Records Of Everything. ...
  3. Communicate Clearly. ...
  4. Be Very Wary of Documents You Are Asked To Sign. ...
  5. Retain Legal Counsel To Find The True Value Of Your Claim.

How do insurance companies determine fault?

If the police do not decide who is at fault, or the insurance company disagrees, your insurance adjuster will investigate the accident and use the details to determine fault. The insurance company will use photos, maps, witness statements, medical records, and special algorithms to calculate fault.

What should I do if someone hit my car?

Steps to Take at the Scene
  1. Call the police. An officer will document the incident and create an official accident report, which you will typically need to have when filing your claim with your insurance company, says the Insurance Information Institute (III). ...
  2. Document the accident. ...
  3. Notify your insurer.

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 happens if someone hits your car and leaves?

What if someone hits my parked car and leaves? If someone hits your parked car and leaves the scene, the accident could be considered a hit-and-run. This is a crime, and you should contact the police to file a report. The police might also be able to help you identify who hit your car.

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.

Will my insurance pay if it was my fault?

In most states, if you are at fault for an accident you (or your insurance company if you have liability coverage) will have to pay for the losses of the other driver, passengers, and anyone else harmed by the accident. Losses include things like car repairs, medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Can you sue if car accident is your fault?

In California, the answer is yes. If you are partially to blame for a car accident in California, you can still recover financial damages from any other party who is also at fault, regardless of how much you are at fault.

Can I get insurance after an accident?

Car insurance purchased after an accident is not retroactive. ... If you're wondering if you can get insurance to cover a past accident, the answer is no. But, you can still begin car insurance to cover future incidents after you've had an accident.

What happens to your insurance after an accident?

While nearly every auto insurance company will raise your rates after an accident, the amount can vary noticeably between companies. The range of rate increases can be as extensive as between about $165 and $850, depending on the company.

Will 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.

Will my insurance go up if someone hits me Geico?

With Accident Forgiveness on your GEICO auto insurance policy, your insurance rate won't go up as a result of your first at-fault accident. We waive the surcharge associated with the first at-fault accident caused by an eligible driver on your policy.

Who recovers my car after an accident?

If you have been involved in an accident that was not your fault, you are entitled to claim for free vehicle recovery, at the expense of the party responsible for the accident. ... This means the insurance company will record the accident, but will not take any action such as charging an excess or increasing your premium.

How long after a car accident can you claim for damage?

A personal injuries claim may be filed if you are injured because of an accident or other event. However, you must file your claim for personal injury compensation within two years from the date of the accident or event.

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.

When someone hits your parked car and leaves a note?

You should call the police to make sure an accident report is completed. Make sure they see the note that was left on your vehicle. The person who hit your parked car should report the incident to their insurance company, who in turn should contact you about the claim.

Do I have to pay a deductible if someone hit me?

You do not have to pay a deductible if someone hits your parked car, that person is identified, and they have property damage liability insurance. If you file a claim with your own collision insurance or uninsured motorist coverage after someone hits your car, then you will likely have to pay a deductible.

What can I do if someone Sidewipes my car?

The first thing to do after a sideswipe is call 911. Even if the accident was minor, you must call the police and file a police report. Next, if your car is drivable, move your vehicle off the road to avoid obstructing traffic.