Don’t Forget to Report a Crash to Your Auto Insurance Provider

After an auto accident that wasn’t your fault, you may assume that all of the settlement process will fall on the other driver and their insurance company. But you still need to report the crash to your auto insurance company—even if you had nothing to do with it.

All auto insurers require nearly immediate notification of accidents regardless of fault. In fact, many insurers have features on their smartphone apps that allow their policyholders to take pictures of their crashes and upload information about them before they’ve even left the scene. Barring that, you can also contact your insurer the old-fashioned way by calling them.

Reporting the crash to your insurer is important because it ensures you’ll remain eligible for compensation if you have Med Pay, personal injury protection, or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. You should never assume the other driver’s insurance will pay for everything—or anything at all—after a crash, especially if you have additional coverage to protect yourself.

Note that when you report a crash to your insurer, you should stick to the facts of what happened. Never admit fault and don’t make statements that could even be construed that you were at fault. This applies to speaking to the 911 dispatcher, responding police officer, and the other driver, too.

Finally, get a lawyer on your side as soon as possible after an accident to fully protect your rights. At Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers, we know the pitfalls that drivers face after crashes, and our Appleton auto accident attorneys protect them from losing their chance at compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation.