Whose Insurance Do I Call After an Accident

After ensuring that you're both physically and mentally OK following an accident, you'll want to call your insurance provider to start the claims process. You should do this whether you believe you're at fault or not. Many people are wary of reporting minor accidents to their insurance companies out of fear that their premiums will skyrocket after filing a claim. However, this isn't always the case. In fact, in many states, insurance companies cannot increase your premiums if you're determined to be not at fault. Either way, keep in mind that it's incidents like this that you have auto insurance.

When you call your insurance company following an accident, you'll want to be prepared with the following information:

• Your policy number
• The location and general description of the accident
• Details of the vehicles involved in the accident and any injuries sustained by either party
• Contact information
• Accident report information from the responding police officer or other authority

Having this information on hand can help you expedite the claims process and get your vehicle repaired and back on the road faster.

Here's a look at some other best practices that you'll want to follow after an accident.

Never leave the accident scene before going through the proper process. In most states, leaving the scene of an accident is a crime that's punishable by fines, possible driver's license suspension, and possible jail time. Even if you know you were not at fault, you still must go through the right process following an accident.

While it might be a little bit awkward to come together with the other driver following an accident - especially if one of you was obviously at fault - it's important to retrieve some basic information to streamline any necessary next steps. This includes names, phone numbers, and insurance information. If the other driver is being difficult, wait for the police to arrive before you gather this information. The responding officer can help act as the mediator between the two of you.

Though an insurance adjuster will likely want to see the damage, capturing your own photos of the damage in the accident's aftermath can help establish another point of documentation. We all have smartphones on us these days that can take high-quality pictures. Assuming your phone wasn't damaged in the accident, be sure to use it to take some pictures.

Finally, you'll want to call the police to establish a formal record of the incident. The police report can also help determine what driver was at fault, which is key information that your insurance provider will take into consideration when it's time for your policy renewal.

Should You Speak to the Other Driver's Insurance Company?

Whose insurance do I call after an accident? Make sure it's not the other driver's provider.

Many drivers wonder if they should speak with the other driver's insurance company, especially if they believe that they were not at fault. The answer is generally "no." You're under no obligation to speak to any insurance provider other than your own - and doing so may hurt you more than it may help move the process along. If you have to speak to the other driver's insurance company, let your own insurance agent do it.

Here's a look at what may happen if you speak to the other driver's insurance company:

They could twist your words or ask leading questions to create doubt over who was responsible for causing the accident.

They may try to bribe you with some sort of lump sum settlement if you agree not to file a claim.