Do I have to notify my auto insurance company if I was in a wreck?

Question

Do I have to notify my auto insurance company if I was in a wreck AND it was NOT my fault? This is what happened: I was completely stopped because everyone else in front of me stopped in the middle of the road (some idiot in the front slammed on the brakes). A lady rams my rear end because she wasn't paying attention. My car got damaged, her's didn't. How do I go about claiming it? Is her insurance company going to pay for my repairs? Do I need to contact my insurance company at all? I don't want to pay anything and I don't want my rate to go up.

Something I was planning to do way before all this happen was to change insurance companies because I can get the same coverage for less with someone else. Now if I tell my current insurance company that I was in a wreck and it was not my fault, would my new insurance company give me a higher rate than what I would've gotten if I didn't tell my insurance company?

Answer 1

Did the other driver get charged in the accident? If they didn't then your screwed. I would notify your insurance co and tell them.  They love to hear that it wasn't your fault and should stand by you.(If she did get a ticket the judge can still throw it out and then she can say you stopped in the middle of the road and caused the accident)Then the insurance co will end up sueing each other and you included--If the accident is not your fault your insurance cannot go up.

Answer 2

Where is the police report?  No police report - no claim.

Yes, you have to tell your insurance company, because they are insuring the vehicle and you.  You have a legal obligation to tell them of any and all changes to the vehicle - read your complete policy.

Who pays depends on your state laws and insurance policy.

Answer 3

You should contact your insurance company in case there is a problem collecting from the lady's insurance. Your company can step in and do the dirty work of making the other insurance company pay. They aren't going to raise your rates if the accident was not your fault, even if they end up having to pay.

Answer 4

You don't have to notify your insurance company and your rates shouldn't go up anyway, because the person who rear ended you will most like have to pay.    It is foolish tho, NOT to notify your insurance company.  Why buy insurance if you are afraid that it MAY go up ?   You never know what may happen in your accident.  You can be sued even tho you may not have been at fault. You bought insurance for protection, let them protect you.  Notify them now !

Answer 5

In my state, you don't have to get a police report unless there's an injury, or you can get one if you want one.  No need for anyone to get "charged" with anything.

You got the info from her proof of insurance card?

Call her insurance, make a statement.

You only have to tell yours if you want to make a claim.  Like if the other driver doesn't make a statement or hers is vastly different from yours.