Whose insurance do you call if your car gets hit?

Being involved in a car accident is never a pleasant experience, even when it’s a minor fender bender. One of the most confusing aspects after an accident is figuring out whose insurance to call—yours or the other driver’s. The answer depends on several factors, including who is at fault, the type of coverage you and the other party have, and whether you’re in a no-fault insurance state if there are injuries.

We explore the steps to take after your car gets hit.

Determining which insurance to call first: Key scenarios

After a traffic accident, the first thing to do is make sure everyone is okay. If no one was injured, you can move on to calling the police and the appropriate insurance company. 

But whose insurance company should you call first? We break that down based on the different scenarios you may face. 

When the other driver is clearly at fault

When another driver hits your vehicle, you should file a police report. You can’t automatically assume the other driver will be found at fault, even if it seems obvious. Always notify your insurance company if you’re involved in an accident, no matter the circumstances.

If the other driver damages your vehicle, you’ll need to contact the other driver’s insurance company. But it’s also important to report the incident to your insurance company. Through the other insurance company, you can file a third-party claim. Although they will likely cover the damages, keeping your insurer in the loop is helpful. 

If you run into any issues with the other company, your own insurance company can help you iron out any wrinkles. 

Here’s a look at what information you might need to file a third-party claim:

• Full name and contact information of the other driver
• The other driver’s insurance company name and policy number
• The other driver’s license number and license plate information
• If possible, photos of both vehicles
• If possible, contact information of any witnesses on the scene

On the scene, don’t admit fault for the accident or discuss any accident details with the other driver. Instead, leave that for the insurance companies to work out. 

When you’re at fault

If you believe you are at fault, you’ll need to contact your insurance company. Depending on your coverage, your insurer may help pay for repairs. For example, if you carry a full coverage policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, you can expect the insurer to pay for repairs. But if you have a liability-only policy, you’ll likely have to pay for your own repairs after an at-fault accident. 

“Your insurance company will investigate the accident and handle other party claims if you contact them,” says Mark Hirsch, founding partner for Templer & Hirsch, a personal injury law firm in Miami, Florida.

Hirsh continues, “Your insurance rates may increase depending on how bad the crash was. You may be subject to a lawsuit or encounter legal claims in certain circumstances. Always help your insurance company, and only say you were at fault at the accident scene once the investigation is over.”

When fault is unclear or disputed

If it’s unclear who is at fault, or if the other driver disputes that they are at fault, you’ll need to contact your insurance company. They will look at the details of the police report and conduct their own investigation into the accident. Even if the fault seems clear to you, insurance companies will investigate to determine the fault before moving forward. 

Once the insurance companies determine who is at fault, the settlement will be paid by the at-fault driver’s insurer.

What to do if you live in a no-fault state

If you live in a no-fault state, contact your insurance company after an accident. If there are injuries, your insurance company will pay your medical bills, while the other driver’s insurer will cover theirs.

The insurance companies will investigate to determine fault, and the at-fault driver’s insurance company will be responsible for any property damage done to others. So, if you’re at fault, your insurance company will pay for the damage done to the other driver’s car.

It’s always best to contact your insurance company after an accident, even if there are no injuries.

Parking lot accidents

A parking lot accident might seem minor at first glance. With low speeds and minimal damage, it’s easy to assume a call to your insurance company isn’t necessary. However, notifying your insurer is always a smart move.

While it may be tempting to settle the matter informally with the other driver, involving your insurance company can protect you if the situation changes. The other driver might reconsider and file a claim days later, leaving you unprepared if you haven’t reported the incident. To avoid complications, exchange information with the other driver and tell your insurer what happened.

Don’t forget to document the scene thoroughly—take clear photos of the vehicles, any visible damage, and the surrounding area. This evidence can be invaluable if questions arise later.

“Be fastidious about collecting information from everyone involved, documenting damage to vehicles and property, collecting medical records, and photographing your injuries,” says Ben Michael, founder and managing partner of Michael & Associates, a law firm in Austin, Texas.

Michael continues, “Hopefully, you won’t need these documents, but when and if it comes to a lawsuit, you’ll be glad you collected all of them.”

Where do you find your insurer’s contact information?

If you need to connect with your own insurance company, you can find the necessary contact information on your insurance card. But if you don’t see the number to call, a quick search should help you find the company’s claims department information. 

In some cases, you’ll call a phone number to start the claim process. In other situations, you’ll start the claim by providing information online. 

What documents should you have when calling an insurance company?

When you call an insurance company after an accident, having the following information on hand can streamline the process. Here’s what to have handy:

• Your name
• Your policy number
• Details about the weather conditions at the time of the accident
• A copy of the police report
• The full name and contact information of the other driver
• The other driver’s insurance company name and policy number
• The other driver’s license number and license plate information
• Photos of both vehicles
• If possible, contact information of any witnesses on the scene

Major insurance companies’ contact information

Whether you need to get in touch with your own insurance company or the other driver’s insurer, find the appropriate contact information below:

What steps should you take immediately before contacting an insurance company?

Before you reach out to the insurance company, take the following steps:

• Check that everyone is okay. It’s important to make sure no one was seriously injured in the accident. If someone is hurt, call an ambulance. 
• Call the police. Whether or not someone is hurt, you can call the police to file an accident report. 
• Take pictures. Take photos of the accident scene and the damage caused to all involved vehicles. 

No fault vs at-fault states: Which insurance company should you call?

Most states are considered ‘at-fault’ states, meaning fault is assigned to a driver in an accident. For example, if someone ran a red light and hit your vehicle in the intersection, they would be considered at fault for the accident.

If the accident occurs in an at-fault state, you can contact the other driver’s insurance company if they are at fault. After all, they are on the hook for paying for the damages caused to your vehicle and directly related medical bills. However, letting your insurance company know about the incident is helpful. They can help you navigate the aftermath of an accident, even if the other insurance company ultimately pays for the damage. 

In a no-fault state, things get more complicated. After an accident where someone is injured, each driver’s insurance company pays for their medical bills through the required personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. However, in terms of property damage, the driver who is determined to be at fault for the accident will typically be responsible for paying for repairs, which means the other driver’s insurance company may help you cover repair costs to get back on the road. 

Ultimately, if someone hits your car, you will need to contact both their insurance company and your insurance company. You can call their insurance company first to get the ball rolling on the claim. But after you hang up, reach out to your own insurance company to get them in the loop. 

Below is a breakdown of what to expect:

How much do insurance rates go up after an accident?

If you cause an accident, your insurance rates will increase. This is because causing an accident means insurance companies consider you a risky driver, which they compensate for with higher rates. 

Of course, the exact amount your premiums increase by varies based on your unique situation, like location and age. But on average, premiums increase by 53% after a single at-fault accident. After two at-fault accidents, premiums increase by an average of 113%. 

The table below shows how much insurance rates go up after an accident.

After a car accident, the most important thing is to confirm you and everyone involved is okay. Once that’s cleared up, get in touch with the other driver’s insurance company if they hit your vehicle. Finally, don’t forget to report the incident to your own insurance company. Even though the other insurance company may pay the claim, it’s helpful to keep your own insurer in the loop.