No matter how careful you are as a driver, your cautiousness doesn’t determine whether or not an accident will occur, as you’re not the only one on the road.
In the event of an accident, it’s essential to understand the correct procedures for filing a claim.
Do you file a claim with your auto insurance company or with theirs? What happens if the accident is your fault? Is there a separate procedure if personal injuries to either party are involved?
Factors that determine who to file your claim with
To know whether to file a claim with your insurance company or the other person’s provider, answer these questions:
Does the other party have an insurance policy?
If they have a third-party insurance policy, you can go ahead and file a claim, but if they don’t, you’ll have to speak to your insurance agent to understand how to go about the issue.
Who is at fault for the accident?
In many instances, it can be tricky to determine who’s primarily to blame, especially in parking lot incidents. If you’re both equally to blame, you can file a claim under your auto insurance policy. If it’s the other person’s fault, consider filing a claim under their insurance.
What if there are injuries?
If the third party is injured, it’ll be treated separately from the vehicle accident. You’ll have to speak with your insurance agent for more advice.
What to do if you’re not at fault and no one is injured
In this instance, you can file a claim with the other person’s policy. However, going this route has its advantages and disadvantages:
Pros
You get to keep the claim off your insurance record.
You don’t have to pay any deductibles, as the other person’s auto insurance covers the liability.
The other company will likely provide alternative transportation or a rental while your vehicle is undergoing repairs.
Cons
The other company may not agree that their driver is entirely responsible and may only offer to pay a portion of your damages.
The process can take a long to finalize as the insurance company may want to investigate the claim before paying you.
What should you do after a car accident that’s not your fault?
Here are the steps to take if you’re involved in an accident that’s not your fault:
Inform the authorities
Only an official police report can determine who’s at fault, so you have to inform the police before filing a claim.
Document
Be careful to document the incident via pictures and videos so that you can have the information as evidence for insurance claims.
Mind your statement
Anything you say to the insurance companies, driver, or police can be used to establish liability. The best thing is to speak to your insurance provider before making any statements.
Call your insurance company
Even if you don’t plan to file a claim with your insurance company, you still need to inform them of the accident.
Talk to the auto insurance experts today
If you’re involved in an accident, let us know. The circumstances surrounding accidents vary from one incident to the other, so it’s best to contact us so we can guide you in the right direction. And if you’ve not been in an accident in years, we can review your existing policy to ensure you have the right protection on the road. Schedule a consultation today.
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