When you are involved in a car accident, the other driver will inform their insurance company – just like you will inform your insurance company.
It may not be long, however, before you get a call from an insurance adjuster that represents the other side. It’s the insurance adjustor’s job to settle claims as quickly (and cheaply) as possible, even if that isn’t fair to you. Here’s what to keep in mind:
You don’t have to communicate with the other driver’s insurer
You are under no legal obligation to talk to the other driver’s insurance company. If they contact you, perhaps after filing a claim or while still at the accident scene, you can choose not to respond.
The insurance company will contact you to obtain more information about the case, including who was at fault and any injuries suffered. Any answer you provide can be used against you, as the company will want to minimize the payout.
How can the other driver’s insurer not know who was at fault?
Accidents can increase one’s insurance premiums. Thus, the other driver may lie to their insurance company to avoid this consequence. This is why the other insurer may not know who was at fault. In addition, the company may know their policyholder was at fault but will try to blame you to reduce or evade compensation.
Should you call your insurance company?
It will be best to let your insurer know of the accident, so they can deal with the other driver’s insurance company. Besides, contacting your insurer after the accident within a specified period may be one of the terms outlined in your policy, and you don’t want to breach the contract.
The other driver’s insurance company is not on your side, regardless of how they approach you. It will help to get legal guidance to receive the compensation you deserve.
