I was involved in an accident, hitting another car (no police report filed just gave my name and phone #)?

Question

and now the other party's insurance is trying to contact me, am I obligated to give them my insurance info since no report was filed at the time? The other person involved was driving a rental car. My theory is that since they didnt' file a report, the rental company is asking that they pay for damages. I think the person is angry and wanting me to pay for it now. This doesn't seem fair since they didn't want to file a report, kinda making it their fault for not doing so?

ANYONE WITH ANSWERS, IT IS MUCH APPRICIATED!

Answer 1

A lot is going to depend on what state you reside in.

In Ontario Canada all you have to do is swap names, phone numbers and insurance info with the other driver for minor accidents.  Then both drivers have 48 hours to report the accident to a government run accident reporting center.

I'm assuming if you swapped names you were willing to pay for damages you did cause an accident.  I'm assuming the other driver did not pay for a LDW on their vehicle, hence the other driver coming after you.

Answer 2

In many states you are required to inform your insurance provider that there was an accident, reguardless of a police report being issued.

If you call your Insurance agent, have him open a report.

Your insurance fighting his insurance is a much better bet then you fighting their insurance.

Both companies will investigate the occurance and determine who is at fault.

There are limits in every state that if the amount paid out is less than the states limit, it will not count against your driving record.  CA is $750.  TX is $1000.  Every state varies.

Answer 3

There is no reason why you should not give them the information they are requesting. Just because there is no police report, doesn't mean anything.  An accident still occurred.  It just makes it more difficult for the adjuster to assess liability.  He/she probably just wants to confirm the details of the accident with you directly.

Or, they might be trying to reach you to determine if you are pursuing a claim against their insured.  

You did not provide the accident details.  However, if you were at fault for the accident, you are still legally liable to reimburse the other person for all damages.  Do you want to pay for this out of pocket, or have your own insurance company deal with it.  That is why you pay them a premium, isn't it?  

Avoiding the insurance company is not going to make them just go away.

Answer 4

Police reports are irrelevant when it comes to damages being paid and auto accidents. Unless of course you are denying that there was an accident. In which case if they feel you were at fault they will just take you to court.

With regards to your question - You are not obligated but it is the ethically correct thing to do (especially if you were at fault). If you owe it they will pursue it. They aren't going to go away. They will find your insurance information or take you to court. Fault is not determined by whether or not they filed a report. If the accident was on private property the cops would not have come out, even if called!!