How to Work with the At-Fault Person's Auto Insurer?
You've been involved in an accident and you are not at fault. Now, you have to deal with the insurance company of someone else. Where do you start? According to experts, once you've obtained the necessary information - at-fault person's name, address, and phone number; the name of that person's insurance company, policy number, claims phone number, and address; you should place an initial call to the insurance company of the at-fault driver.
While the driver who is at fault is responsible for informing his or her insurance company about the accident, it is a good idea for you to call that insurer because motorists who cause accidents may be reluctant to report the claim. You should inform the other person's insurer that you have been involved in an accident with one of its policyholders and tell it about any property damage or injuries. Relate only the facts of the accident to the insurer, even if you believe the other driver to be at fault. The police will determine who is at fault, and the insurer will make its determination based on the police recommendation. Your opinion is not necessary.
Even when you feel you are not at fault, it is best to contact your own insurance company, which establishes your good-faith accident reporting effort and, more important, can aid you if the other party and/or the other insurer deny responsibility for the accident. Keep in mind, the insurance company of the motorist who damages your car and/or injures you is responsible for paying you for your damages and injuries. Even so, there are things every driver should know and should do when involved in this situation.
Do not take matters into your own hands. Notify both involved insurance companies and ask for an authorization for repairs from the at-fault driver's insurance company. Next, you may be required to get an estimate for the work from a local garage of your choice as most states only allow insurance companies to recommend auto body shops and do not allow them to force you to take your vehicle to a specific repair facility. You should make the estimate for repairs available to the at-fault driver's insurance company as soon as possible and work with them to obtain the necessary authorization for repairs, which takes minimal time and effort. Taking matters into your own hands can create a payment problem down the road if the insurance adjuster did not authorize certain repairs.
While this is generally a smooth process, occasionally another person's insurer may say you need to seek payment from your own insurer because it has no evidence of its policyholder's fault. For this reason, always obtain a police report and notify your insurer immediately after an auto accident. If you have obtained the police report and have notified your insurance company, this problem can be easily remedied. The police report clearly outlines who is at fault. Simply take a copy of the report to the at-fault driver's insurer and the repair process should start immediately. In fact, most states make it illegal for insurers to deny claims when its liability is reasonably clear; this type of misunderstanding, therefore, is usually quickly and easily cleared up.
Regardless of which insurance company you are dealing with (yours or the at-fault driver's), maintain your cool and remember, they are there to help you. Follow their advice, including obtaining a police report, and keep all involved informed and up-to-date.
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