Yes, it is generally advisable to notify your insurance company even if the accident wasn't your fault. Most insurance policies require policyholders to promptly report any accidents or incidents, regardless of fault.
Always File a Claim, Regardless of Who Was At-Fault
One of the primary questions we receive from clients who have been in an accident is whether they should report the accident to their own auto insurance carrier, particularly when the accident was not their fault. And the answer to that question is: always.
Should I call my insurance provider even if it wasn't my fault? Yes, you will want to call your insurance provider regardless of whose fault you believe it may be. Your insurance provider will be able to walk you through the next steps of filing a claim and finding out what your coverage does and does not cover.
Some may raise your premiums by 10 percent, while others may charge you only 2 percent more. In addition, certain states, such as California and Oklahoma, don't allow insurance companies to increase rates after a non-fault claim.
In general, an accident where the other driver is at fault will not cause your auto insurance premiums to increase. Your insurer is not involved since the at-fault driver's insurer is responsible for your medical treatment and vehicle repairs.
Most insurance companies do not raise their rates if your car was struck in a hit-and-run accident, struck when legally parked, or struck in a rear-end collision. Once you've been involved in a car crash, the insurance company changes your risk profile and affects a rate change of 50% or more.
The insurance adjuster may insist that you are legally required to talk to them or provide a recorded statement upon request, but this is not true. California law does not require you to provide a recorded statement or speak with the other driver's insurance company.
After a car accident, you should notify your insurance company and file a claim, and not deal with the other driver's insurer. Except in rare circumstances, it is not wise to contact them. Your insurance company represents you, and the other driver's insurance company represents them.
After a wreck, exchange information and call your insurance company and the other driver's insurance company to report the accident. If you are not at fault, you will file a claim and pursue compensation from the other driver's car insurance, not yours.
Yes. Regardless of fault, it is important to call your insurance company and report any accident that involves injuries or property damage. It is a common myth that you needn't contact your insurance company if you aren't at fault.
Some states require you exchange ins information. The other drivers ins is also going to ask you for it. Here in California you exchange info regardless who is at fault.
Gather as much information as possible—photos, witness statements, and any relevant documentation—so you're prepared to defend yourself if the claim escalates. Remember to report the incident to your insurance company immediately, even if you believe the accusation is entirely unfounded.
There is no California law per se about notifying your insurance company after a collision, but your auto insurance policy is a contract. When you signed it, you agreed to the stipulations in the contract, which will almost certainly include the requirement to notify the insurance company promptly after an accident.
Depends, but always tell us about any accident that happens. If the other person is at fault and there is no dispute you may be able to file directly with them.
But what will happen if no one is at fault for your car accident? You can always file a no-fault car insurance claim. The insurance provider will compensate the policyholder and its passengers for the cost of minor injuries and loss of income regardless of who caused the accident.
Yes, you should call your insurance company if you were in a car accident that was not your fault.
Insurance claims can cause your insurance rate to increase for a temporary amount of time, typically three to five years.
When the Claim Amount Is the Same or Less than the Deductible. If the claim amount equals or is less than the deductible, there's not much sense in filing a claim. “Most car insurance policies have a deductible in place which you have to pay before their coverage kicks in,” says Ross.
California law prevents insurance companies from increasing your rates for accidents where you are not considered principally at fault.
And if you're wondering, “Should I talk to the other insurance company after an accident?” the answer is no. Although you should get details of the other driver's insurance at the accident scene, it's not your responsibility to contact them.
In California, determining fault is crucial in deciding who ultimately pays the deductible. California follows a “fault” insurance system, meaning the driver responsible for causing the accident pays for the damages through their insurance company. However, the process of determining fault may take time.
It may seem unfair, but accidents that aren't your fault may still increase your rate depending on your state and insurer.
That's right, California has enacted a proposition designed to protect innocent motorists from the predatory tactics of insurance carriers. California's Proposition 103 contains clauses that forbid insurance companies from raising rates after an individual makes an uninsured motorist claim.
If your rates rise after a no-fault accident, it's likely because State Farm assigned points in a particular category that increased your risk profile.