I was rear-ended this morning (not my fault). Should I contact the other driver's insurance company directly or is it better to let my insurance company deal with them?
2007-04-30 05:59:07 · 5 answers · asked by TXREB 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
In my opinion the answers you have received are too simplistic. There is often more factors involved in making the decision about which company to collect from.
If you use your own coverage you will have to pay your collision deductible to the shop when you pick up your car. So that is $250 to $1000 out-of-pocket. Your company will attempt to collect that back from the other insurance company but that can take some time.
If you use your own collision coverage and you do NOT have rental coverage then you have to pay that out-of-pocket and wait for reimbursement from the other insurance company (typically 1 week to 4 weeks if no coverage issues)
If the money out-of-pocket is not an issue then go through your own company and they can do all the work for you.
If you don't want to pay or can't afford to pay the out-of-pocket expenses it might be best to collect from the other company. Here's why.
1. 99.99997% of rear-end claims are easy and paid at 100%. So unless there is something odd about your case the other company should pay for your damages without a deductible or any hassle.
2. They would also owe you for a rental car while your car is being repaired.
3. Collecting from the other company should leave you with no extra out-of-pocket expenses.
Either way I hope the whole is resolved quickly for you.
2007-04-30 07:05:47 · answer #1 · answered by fighting saints 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have your insurance handle it. Generally they will go after the other persons insurance in a professional and efficient manor. You may or may not represent the case effectively enough to get the claim paid by the other company. Your company will be saving their own money by getting them to pay, so they usually do a good job at it. My company was more than happy to do it for me.
2007-04-30 13:17:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should ALWAYS deal with your own insurance company ONLY! Your policy probably has wording that requires you to notify them promptly of all accidents and claims.
Part of what you are paying for is their legal resources in settling your claim. If you contact the other party's insurance company and mess something up resulting in limiting of or the denial of your claim, your insurance company may not be able to assist you in resolving the problem. In many cases, your insurance complany is resolved of any liability or responsibility to assist you if you don't deal with them exclusively.
2007-04-30 14:10:42 · answer #3 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Once you have the copy of police report, contact your insurance and let them handle it.
2007-04-30 13:50:47 · answer #4 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
In my experience, you should probably contact theirs. If they do not repair the car and pay for your injuries, then contact yours, they will get legal assistance in most cases. But start with theirs.
2007-04-30 13:07:24 · answer #5 · answered by The Cat 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋