Should we use our own motorcycle insurance company or the "other guy's"?

Question

My husband's motorcycle was recently backed into. What do we do, use our own insurance company. I'm not even sure if we used our own company would our rates increase? I'm hesitant to go through their company because it seems that they would be shadier to people that aren't under them. What do we do?

Answer 1

Use the other person's company.  They are at fault.  your rates can go up because you filed a claim, even if you we not at fault.  The company will not be shadier to you because you don't have their coverage.  If no one was hurt, then it doesn't matter who does the repairs (within reason).  But you won't be paying the deductible, and it won't go against your claims history.

Answer 2

If you go with your current insurance company your rates could increase.  If the accident was the "other guys" fault, then you should probably go through his insurance company.  You should take the bike in to a few different shops and get quotes for how much it will cost to fix.  Then give it to the guy and have his insurance company pay to fix it.  I wouldn't worry about the company acting shady.

Answer 3

Contrary to popular belief, your insurance rate will NOT increase in this case. Insurance companies won't charge any points if the accident is not your fault.

First, you should call the other person's insurance company. Their liability has to cover your vehicle. If the damage on your vehicle exceeds the liability limits they carry then you should go after the person in court. The other driver is responsible for EVERY penny that comes out of your pocket due to the accident.

If the motorcycle driver doesn't have insurance, then check your policy to see if you carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This will cover your passengers and your vehicle if the other person doesn't have insurance, or if their insurance coverage isn't enough to pay for your damages. As long as you have proof that they didn't have insurance (license plate number, driver's license number, etc) then your company will pay for the damages on your car up to the limits provided.

If you don't have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage then you can take the other driver to court. Obviously, this will be a more tedious process.

If, any reason, your insurance company does raise your prices due to the accident you can always file a complaint to your state's Department of Insurance.  

Answer 4

If you file a claim under your insurance you may or may not have your rates increase that should vary by insurance companies.  However you will have to pay your deductible, regardless that it wasn't your fault.  You may want to consider that as well, if your deductible is $500 and your repairs are only going to cost $300, your insurance can't do anything for you.

Personally, either way I would attempt to go with the other guy's insurance.  If they are taking too long or arguing they're not at fault then go through  your insurance, your insurance should be faster.  The other guy's insurance shouldn't be shady.  All adjusters, whether or not they insure you or the other guy, look at your vehicle write a repair estimate, should get an agreed figure with you or the body shop you want and then pay you money.  You then take it to get repaired.  If they offer you something you don't like argue it with an estimate from a body shop proving their wrong or then take it to your insurance.  The plus about filing a claim with them is that you don't have to pay a deductible.  The problems may be that you don't like their estimate, they think  you're at fault (unlikely if you were parked and someone backed into you), or maybe they're driver isn't cooperating so they deny coverage.  But I would at least attempt it first.  They may be like ok here's your estimate, this body shop will do the work if you want them to, for this price and here's your check.  and you go get it repaired.  If it doesn't go smoothly then go to your insurance.  You'll likely just have to explain why you didn't report it right away and in that case you say because you thought his insurance was going to.