Whose insurance do you call if your car gets hit?

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If another driver hits your car in an at-fault state, you’ll generally call the other driver’s insurance company first, then let your own insurer know what happened. But if you live in a no-fault state, you call your own insurance company first, because your policy pays your medical bills no matter who caused the crash. 

Either way, reporting the accident to your own insurer is always the safe move, since it protects you if the other driver’s insurer disputes the claim or the other driver changes their story.

Whose insurance do you call when your car is hit?

In an at-fault state, you call the other driver’s insurance company first when they caused the crash, then notify your own insurer. In a no-fault state, you call your own insurer first because it pays your medical bills regardless of fault. The right order depends on your state and who was responsible. The table below covers every combination so you’re not guessing at the worst possible moment.

No matter who was at fault or where you live, telling your own insurance company about the accident protects you. If the other driver’s insurer drags its feet or the other driver suddenly changes their story, your insurer is the one in your corner.

What to do if another driver hits your car and is at fault

File a third-party claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer, but notify your own insurance company too. Even when the crash looks obviously their fault, you can’t assume they’ll be found responsible or that they’ll be honest about it later, so build your case at the scene first.

• File a police report, even if the other driver insists it isn’t necessary
• Exchange insurance and contact details with the other driver
• Photograph both vehicles, the damage, and the wider scene
• Collect witness information while people are still around
• Notify your own insurer, then file the claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer

If you hit a snag with the other company, your own insurer can step in and help you work it out.

What you’ll need to file a third-party claim

To file a third-party claim, you’ll need the at-fault driver’s identifying and insurance details, plus your own documentation of the crash. Having these in hand before you call the other driver’s insurer keeps the claim moving and prevents the back-and-forth that slows payouts. Here’s what to gather:

• The other driver’s full name and contact information
• Their insurance company name and policy number
• Their driver’s license number and license plate
• Photos of both vehicles, if you were able to take them
• Contact information for any witnesses on the scene

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

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Whose insurance do you call if the accident is your fault?

Call your own insurance company first. Your insurer will investigate the crash, handle the other party’s claims on your behalf, and pay for your repairs if your coverage allows. What you get back depends entirely on the policy you carry.

• Full coverage (comprehensive and collision): Your insurer typically pays to repair your own car after an at-fault crash.
• Liability-only policy: You’ll likely pay for your own repairs out of pocket, since liability covers the other party’s damage, not yours.

Be prepared for your rates to rise depending on how serious the accident was, and know that in some circumstances you could face a lawsuit or other legal claims.

“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,” says Mark Hirsch, founding partner, Templer & Hirsch, a personal injury law firm in Miami, Florida

Whose insurance do you call when fault is disputed?

Call your own insurance company right away if fault is disputed. When you and the other driver can’t agree on who caused the crash, both insurers will review the evidence and determine fault before any claim is paid. Once fault is established, the at-fault driver’s insurer is generally responsible for the settlement and vehicle damage.

Insurers weigh several things when sorting out a disputed claim:

• The police report from the scene
• Photos of both vehicles and the damage
• Witness statements
• State traffic laws that apply to the situation

Whose insurance do you call in a no-fault state?

Always call your own insurance company. In a no-fault state, your insurer pays your medical bills regardless of who caused the crash. That’s the core of what no-fault means, and it applies specifically to medical costs. Here’s how the two types of costs split:

• Medical bills: Your insurer pays yours and the other driver’s insurer pays theirs, no matter who was at fault.
• Property damage: The at-fault driver’s insurer pays. So if you caused the crash, your insurance covers the damage to the other driver’s car.

Even when there are no injuries at all, it’s still best to contact your insurer and put the accident on record.

Should you report a parking lot accident to your insurance?

Even a minor parking lot tap is worth reporting to your insurance company. What looks like a superficial scuff can balloon into a much larger claim if the other driver later reports additional damage or an injury, and a report creates an official record that protects you if their account changes.

If your car gets hit in a lot, treat it like any other accident:

• Swap insurance and contact details with the other driver
• Photograph both vehicles and the surrounding area
• File a report so you have an official paper trail if a dispute pops up later

Can you settle a parking lot accident without insurance?

You can legally settle a parking lot accident out of pocket without involving either insurance company, as long as both drivers agree and no one was injured. But it’s a gamble. Paying cash to avoid a premium increase makes sense when the damage is genuinely minor, yet you don’t know this other person, and a quiet agreement can fall apart fast. Keep in mind:

• There’s no guarantee they’ll hold up their end of a handshake deal
• Someone who agrees to settle today can turn around and file a claim tomorrow
• Without a report on file, you’re left exposed if a dispute arises

When in doubt, report it.

What documents do you need to file a car insurance claim?

A claims call goes a lot faster when you’re not digging for information mid-conversation. Before you dial, pull together the following so you can answer everything in one sitting.

• Your name and policy number
• Details about the weather and road conditions at the time of the crash
• A copy of the police report
• The other driver’s full name and contact information
• Their insurance company name and policy number
• Their driver’s license number and license plate
• Photos of both vehicles
• Contact information for any witnesses

Car insurance claims phone numbers by company

Whether you need to reach your own insurer or the other driver’s, here are the claims lines for several of the largest companies.

How do you find your insurance company’s claims number?

To find your insurer’s claims number, check your insurance card first, since it almost always lists a dedicated claims line. If it’s not there, search your provider’s name plus the word “claims” to reach the right department. Once you have the number, how you file depends on the company:

• Some insurers walk you through the claim over the phone with a representative
• Others let you submit photos and details and start the claim entirely online

How much do insurance rates go up after an accident?

One at-fault crash raises the typical driver’s rate by about 60 percent, and a second at-fault accident can more than double what you were paying before. How much your rate climbs depends on your state, your driving record, and your insurer’s own pricing.

The spread between states is dramatic. Michigan drivers see some of the harshest increases, with average premiums climbing from around $3,964 to over $21,000 after two at-fault accidents. Vermont sits at the gentle end, where the same two accidents move premiums from $1,660 to just over $3,400.

What to do after your car gets hit

Once you’ve confirmed everyone is okay, your next move depends on where you live. If another driver hit you in an at-fault state, call their insurance company, and if you’re in a no-fault state, start with your own. No matter what, report the accident to your own insurer. Even when the other company ends up paying the claim, keeping your insurer in the loop is the single best way to protect yourself if things get complicated later.

Sarah Sharkey

Contributing Researcher

 

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Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer with a master’s degree in management from the Hough School of Business at the University of Florida. She enjoys helping readers find money solutions that work. She has written for numerous personal-finance publications including Money Under 30 and The College Investor.