Working With Another Insurer When Not at Fault for an Accident

Posted in Auto Insurance , Auto Insurance Claims , Collision Insurance , Liability , Property Damage

April 15th, 2009

The aftermath of a car accident is oftentimes difficult to deal with. Even if the damage to your health and property are minor, and you are not found at fault for the collision, working with another auto insurance company to settle your claim can be a stressful and time consuming process. The first step in this process happens immediately after the collision. You need to document all the information associated with the accident and driver to get the claim process started.

Starting the Claims Process

1. Contact your own auto insurance provider to establish a good-faith accident report
2. Contact the other driver’s insurance company (they may be embarrassed or have other reasons for not calling in the collision, and therefore hesitate in making the call – this can prolong the claims process if you are not proactive)
3. Take your vehicle in for an estimate (you will need permission from both insurance companies)
4. Send your repair quotes to both insurance companies

Use the Police Report

If there is any hesitation from an insurance provider in paying for the repair of your vehicle and the police have reported that you were not at fault for the accident, simply provide them with a copy of the accident report and the process should quickly resolve itself.

Make sure to always deal with the insurance company representative in a polite and professional manner. By staying calm, you have a better chance of the insurance agent resolving your claim quickly and effectively.