Whose insurance do I call if someone hit my car?

Who pays if someone hits your car?

If someone hits your car, they are legally responsible for the damage. That's why most states require drivers to carry liability insuranceLiability insurance covers sums that an insured becomes legally obligated to pay because of bodily injuries or property damage, or financial losses caused to other people.; when a driver is at fault in an accident, that insurance pays for the resulting damage. If that person doesn't have insurance, they can be held personally responsible for any bills, but you will likely need to sue.

In the simplest situation, the other driver is found at fault, they have insurance, and the insurance company pays for the repairs to your car (as well as any medical bills if there are injuries); you don't pay anything in this situation.

However, sometimes accidents can get more complex. The other driver may be uninsured or leave the accident scene without providing any information. In that case, your insurance may pay for the damage, but only if you have the correct coverage on your policy.

PEOPLE ASK

If someone hits me do I call their insurance or mine?

You should call both, regardless of who you think is at fault. If it turns out the other driver is at fault, their insurance will pay, but it's helpful to have your insurance company involved.

What to do if someone hits your car

If someone hits your car, take the following steps:

Make sure everyone is okay, and move the vehicles out of traffic if possible.
If there is major damage, call the police; if there are injuries, call an ambulance.
Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver.
Take photos of the scene and the damage.
Look for witnesses and ask for their contact information.
Call your insurance company, even if you believe the other driver is at fault.

If someone hits your parked car but has left the scene before you arrived, follow most of the same steps above. However, in this case, you may also want to check if there are security cameras in the area. If there is no note left, call the police and make a hit-and-run report.

Whatever the situation, you should always call your own insurance company, even if you believe the other driver will be found at fault.

Will my insurance company pay if someone hits my car?

If someone hits your car, your car insurance company only reimburses you for the damages if you carry collision coverageCollision coverage helps pay for repairs or replacement of your car if it's damaged in an accident, regardless of who is at fault and is subject to a deductible. or uninsured motorist property damage insurance. Those who don’t carry these types of coverage must pay out of pocket to fix their car.

Collision coverage also protects you if the vehicle was parked when hit. In some cases, uninsured motorist property damage insurance covers you in this situation, but that’s not true in all states.

What information do you need when someone hits your car?

You need to exchange information if you’re involved in an accident with another driver. Some of the things on this list include:

Full name and contact information for the driver
Insurance company name and policy number
Driver's license and license plate number
Key information about the other vehicle, such as type, color, and model

Note the location of the accident and take pictures of both cars and surrounding landmarks. If there are witnesses, find out what they saw and ask for names and contact information.

Never admit fault in the accident or discuss details of what occurred with the other driver.

How to file an insurance claim when someone hits your car

Every insurance company has requirements to file a claim. Reach out to your insurer, check your auto insurance policy or look at the insurer’s website to learn how to file your claim correctly.

However, as a general rule, most insurance companies will expect you to:

Call your insurer promptly. Do this early, even from the scene of the accident. Ask your agent or a company representative what information and forms you must provide.
Begin the claims process. This can often be done on the insurer's app. You may be able to do everything from uploading photos to getting a rental car.
Ask about deadlines and how the process will unfold. Make sure you understand what steps to take and the deadlines. Ask how the process will unfold, including approximate time frames for when the adjuster will address the claim and how long it might be before you have your reimbursement check. Ask if you need to get estimates for repairing the damaged vehicle.

Does my insurance go up if someone hits me?

Generally, your insurance rates won't go up if you are not at fault for the accident. However, if you file a claim, even if the vehicle damage isn't your fault, you may lose a claim-free discount if you currently have one. That could cause your car insurance rate to increase.

“The insurance consequences of an auto claim will mostly depend on whether you are at fault and any high-risk behavior that caused the crash – for example, speeding, drunk or high driving, running a red light,” Walker says.

When should you file a claim, and when should you pay out of pocket?

Experts caution against skipping an insurance claim because damages or injuries may be more extensive than they first appear. There’s a chance you will write a check only to have the driver come back later to request more reimbursement for damages.

”Whether you are the victim or cause a car crash, immediately contacting insurance and filing a claim is the wisest course of action to protect you and your pocketbook,” Walker says.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to file a claim if someone hits your car?

No, you are not required to file a claim. However, if you don't, you'll have to pay for damages out of pocket.

What do you do when the other driver is uninsured?

If you get into an accident with an uninsured driver, call the police to make sure they file a report about the accident.

If you have uninsured motorist coverage, the insurer will reimburse your losses. Your own collision coverage can also be used to reimburse you.

What if someone hits my car, and I don’t have auto insurance?

First off, not having auto insurance – regardless of whether someone hits your car –- is illegal in most states. If you’re caught driving without insurance, you could face fines and other penalties, including losing your driver’s license. So, you should always have auto insurance if you own and drive a car.

However, if you don’t have insurance and your car is damaged in a not-at-fault accident you may still have your damages covered by the other driver's insurance.

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