Got into an accident...insurance question.

[ManBearPig]

So...i got into an accident the other day (other guys fault) and called my insurance company to report it. The other insurance company called me and left a message on my phone telling me to call back.

I asked my insurance company what I should do, and she said to just call back and say I filed a claim with my company. I asked her if i should answer his questions or not just say anything, and she acted like it didn't really matter and if i wanted i could just say i decline to comment and let the insurance companies deal with it.

What does ATOT think i should do? Comment or not? I dont have a problem with commenting, but if its in my best interest not to comment, I wont.

Thanks ATOT!

 

[Schfifty Five]

If it was the other person's fault, and that person's insurance agrees that it was their fault, then you probably don't need to involve your own insurance.

 

[mrCide]

Always let your insurance company handle everything, even if you're not at fault. Let them do the leg work, that's what you pay them for.

I wouldn't be comfortable talking to the other insurance carrier unless specifically directed to do so by mine.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Don't call them back and let your insurance company handle it.

 

[ManBearPig]

Yeah she said I didn't really have to. I'm thinking i'll just not. I don't wanna be disrespectful or anything though.

 

[Texashiker]

The last time I called my insurance company when I was in a wreck, they put it on my history as a no-fault and jacked my rates up.

 

[sixone]

Don't talk to them. They want you to say something incriminating, no matter how trivial it might seem at the time.

 

[Scout80]

I have dealt with insurance companies a lot recently.

In February, my wife was rear-ended by someone. We contacted OUR insurance company because we have full coverage. We figured we'd get it fixed right away and then let our ins. co. go after the other person because it was clearly their fault. After all thats what we pay them for as mrCide stated. We paid our deductible and got our car fixed. Unfortunately we are still trying to get our deductible back and the subrogation process has been going for 3 months. We were told it could go on for another 3 before we get our deductible back.

In April, I was driving our car and was rear-ended. This time I called the OTHER person's insurance company and filed a claim with them. In three weeks I had a fixed car, had a rental during the repairs, and never put out a dime. It only took that long because they couldn't get a hold of the insured. A totally painless process because the other driver admitted fault (this is key).

My suggestion would be to call them back and tell them you want to file a claim against the other persons insurance and if the person who hit you is willing to admit fault, it is a painless process. Hopefully, they are not trying to put the blame on you. If you find out they are, tell them you have nothing to say and tell them to contact your insurance company.

Good luck.

 

[ManBearPig]

^^Yikes, that doesn't sound good. I think I just won't call em. I just hope they don't think I'm guilty because I won't call them or something weird like that.

 

[BoomerD]

I was in two accidents this past March. Both times, I was stopped at a red light and was rear-ended by the other driver. The first time, the other driver and I exchanged information, I contacted his insurance company, and had my car in the shop in about a week.
The second time, I was about to turn in the rental car provided for me by the insurance company in accident #1, and I was rear-ended again...only this time, the other driver took off. Fortunately, a good samaritan got plenty of pics of the vehicle and plate, but since it was hit & run, the rental company required me to use my insurance for the claim...which meant I had to pay my deductible on the spot.
The cops FINALLY found the other vehicle...and their insurance has accepted responsibility...but provided NO information on the driver. (I couldn't identify him in a photo line-up...only saw his face for a couple of seconds, and it took 6 weeks for the cops to arrange the line-up) It's in the subrogation process, but as of a few days ago, they still hadn't paid the claim to the insurance company, (nearly $8000 damage to a 2011 Corolla) nor have they returned my deductible. What a PITA.

 

[Texashiker]

^^Yikes, that doesn't sound good. I think I just won't call em. I just hope they don't think I'm guilty because I won't call them or something weird like that.

Insurance companies like to take your money and not give anything in return unless they have to.

Deal with the other persons insurance and dont worry about calling your agent.

If you call your agent, they will look for reasons to jack your rates up.

 

[AnMig]

If you are not at fault and the police statement/report supports this, it may be beneficial for you not to involve your insurance company.

My other car was T-boned by an old guy going thru a stop sign. Police cited him for failing to stop. Called our insurance broker and he advised to let the other insurance company handle it and if I was not satisfied I had like 30 days(not sure) to file a claim with my insurance company. Everything went well and fast so no regrets.

By doing it this way according to my broker I dont use up any non fault points or whatever. By not involving my insurance company its like the accident never happened.

However since insurance companies have a way of knowing if you had a speeding ticket I am sure they have a way of knowing if you where involved in a MVA.

good luck

 

[marvdmartian]

I'd say it would depend on the circumstances.

Couple years ago, when I'd had my car less than a year, some clown in an SUV backed into my car, at the bank parking lot. Barely grazed it, but damaged the paint on the rear bumper cover. We swapped info, but he asked me to price out the repair, to see if he wanted to cover it, or let his insurance cover it. Was going to run ~$500 for the repair and a 1 day rental car usage, so he told me to call his insurance company, State Farm. They were really helpful, ascertained from the other driver that it was his fault, then basically asked me where I wanted to take it, to get it repaired. They covered the entire cost of the repair and rental car, no questions asked (I only had to sign the paperwork, so no pre-paying, then waiting for a check from them).

Couldn't have been any easier, IMHO. :thumbsup:

 

[ManBearPig]

Ahh so many different answers! Some say contact your insurance, some say contact their insurance, some say don't contact insurance. Too late to not contact mine, though. ^^I also have state farm. Hopefully it goes that easy.

Thanks for the well wishes!

 

[BoomerD]

Ahh so many different answers! Some say contact your insurance, some say contact their insurance, some say don't contact insurance. Too late to not contact mine, though.

Thanks for the well wishes!

Did you open a claim with your insurance company, or did you just ask them for advice?

 

[DrPizza]

Years ago, my mother was t-boned at an intersection. The lady who hit her ran a stop sign. That lady was ticketed for running the stop sign. My mother looked right at the lady as she was about to collide with her - the lady was turned around, looking into the back seat at her kid. My mother was really shaken up & very upset about the whole accident. That lady's insurance company called her up and started asking tons of questions. My mother neglected to point say that she had a blinking amber light at that intersection. Result: that insurance company ruled against my mother, because she wasn't being extra cautious as required by the blinking light. Since then, I've never answered another insurance company's questions - I refer them to my insurance company.

 

[sactoking]

OP, if you want some unbiased advice from a former adjuster who now works as an insurance regulator, send me a PM.

 

[Squisher]

Well, at least you can remember whether you were in an accident or not.