Whose insurance do I call if someone hit my car?

Who pays if someone hits your car?

If someone hits your car, they are legally responsible for the damage, and their insurance will pay. That's why most states require drivers to carry liability insuranceLiability insurance covers sums that an insured becomes legally obligated to pay because of bodily injuries or property damage, or financial losses caused to other people.. If the driver is uninsured, they are personally responsible for the damage. Your own insurance will help if you have the right coverage, and you can try to sue.

If the other driver doesn't have insurance, you have a few options:

File a claim with your own insurance company, either against:
- Collision coverage
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Suing the driver, which may be difficult if they can't pay

In the simplest situation, the other driver is found at fault, they have insurance, and the insurance company pays for the repairs to your car (as well as any medical bills if there are injuries); in this case, you don't pay anything.

People ask

If someone hits me do I call their insurance or mine?

You should call both, regardless of who you think is at fault. If it turns out the other driver is at fault, their insurance will pay, but it's helpful to have your insurance company involved.

When your insurance pays vs. when the other driver's insurance pays

Your insurance pays if you are at fault or if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured. The other driver's insurance pays if they are at fault. If you live in a no-fault state, your insurance pays for your medical bills regardless of fault.

Here's a quick reference guide to when you can expect your insurance to pay the bill and when the other driver's insurance will kick in.

The other driver's insurance pays when:	Your insurance pays when:
Your car is damaged and they are at fault	The other driver is uninsured, and you have collision coverage or uninsured motorist coverage
You are injured and they are at fault in a tort (fault) state	The other driver is underinsured, and you have underinsured motorist coverage
	You are injured and live in a no-fault state with personal injury protection

What to do if someone hits your car

If someone hits your car, deal with the immediate scene by checking for injuries and clearing the road if you can. Then, call the police, exchange insurance information, and document the scene. Call your insurance company as soon as possible.

Make sure everyone is okay, and move the vehicles out of traffic if possible.
If there is major damage, call the police; if there are injuries, call an ambulance.
Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver.
Take photos of the scene and the damage.
Look for witnesses and ask for their contact information.
Call your insurance company, even if you believe the other driver is at fault.

If someone hits your parked car but has left the scene before you arrived, follow most of the same steps above. However, in this case, you may also want to check if there are security cameras in the area. If there is no note left, call the police and make a hit-and-run report.

Will my insurance company pay if someone hits my car?

If someone hits your car, your car insurance company pays for the damage if you have collision coverageCollision coverage helps pay for repairs or replacement of your car if it's damaged in an accident, regardless of who is at fault and is subject to a deductible. or uninsured motorist property damage insurance and there is no other insurance policy to cover the damage (either the other driver is uninsured or left the scene). Those who don’t carry these types of coverage must pay out of pocket to fix their car.

Collision coverage also protects you if the vehicle was parked when hit. In some cases, uninsured motorist property damage insurance covers you in this situation, but that’s not true in all states.

What information do you need when someone hits your car?

When someone hits your car, gather their name and contact information, insurance information, license and plate number and a description of the car. You'll need:

Full name and contact information for the driver
Insurance company name and policy number
Driver's license and license plate number
Key information about the other vehicle, such as type, color, and model

Note the location of the accident and take pictures of both cars and surrounding landmarks. If there are witnesses, find out what they saw and ask for names and contact information.

How to file an insurance claim when someone hits your car

To file an insurance claim when your car has been hit, call your insurance company or file the claim online or via the mobile app. Provide all of the information, including photos, police report, and witness information, to the claims representative. Work with your adjusterAn adjuster handles claims for the insurance company. They assess the damage and determine how your coverage applies to damages and injuries. to process the claim quickly.

However, as a general rule, most insurance companies will expect you to:

Call your insurer promptly. Do this early, even from the scene of the accident. Ask your agent or a company representative what information and forms you must provide.
Begin the claims process. This can often be done on the insurer's app. You may be able to do everything from uploading photos to getting a rental car.
Ask about deadlines and how the process will unfold. Make sure you understand what steps to take and the deadlines. Ask how the process will unfold, including approximate time frames for when the adjuster will address the claim and how long it might be before you have your reimbursement check. Ask if you need to get estimates for repairing the damaged vehicle.

Will my insurance rates go up if I wasn't at fault?

No, your insurance rates won't go up if you are not at fault for the accident. However, if you file a claim, even if the vehicle damage isn't your fault, you may lose a claim-free discount. Rate increases depend on:

Claim frequency and amount
Insurer
Location

“The insurance consequences of an auto claim will mostly depend on whether you are at fault and any high-risk behavior that caused the crash – for example, speeding, drunk or high driving, running a red light,” Walker says.

FAQ: What to do if someone hits your car

Do you have to file a claim if someone hits your car?

No, you are not required to file a claim. However, if you don't, you'll have to pay for damages out of pocket.

What do you do when the other driver is uninsured?

If you get into an accident with an uninsured driver, call the police to make sure they file a report about the accident.

If you have uninsured motorist coverage, the insurer will reimburse your losses. Your own collision coverage can also be used to reimburse you.

What if someone hits my car, and I don’t have auto insurance?

If you don’t have insurance and your car is damaged in a not-at-fault accident, your damages may still be covered by the other driver's insurance. Some states have "no pay no play" laws that limit your ability to collect after an accident if you weren't insured. If you’re caught driving without insurance, you could face fines and other penalties, including losing your driver’s license.