If someone hit my car and didn't claim it to their insurance?

Universally Relevant

Contacting their insurance company yourself should be sufficient. They are going to want to get this done as soon as possible because the longer they wait to finalize with you, the better the chance (or so they'll think) that you'll find other things wrong, or "remember" that you have medical issues from the accident. The person at fault should have filed the claim immediately, but if nothing happens now it's their insurance company's fault and if you don't feel they are staying on top of it, you can file a complaint with your state's Department of Insurance (go here to get the correct one for your state: http://www.naic.org/state_web_map.htm

What has probably happened now though is that their insurance company has probably contacted them to get their side of the story. Depending on the carrier and the situation, it may take a couple weeks for a resolution. One of the things that will speed this up is that if they require you to have your vehicle inspected, ask them what options you have to do this. Sometimes they have agreements with auto dealers [mechanic depts.] to get the inspection done there and then they can even handle billing for you (there is a difference between an autobody show that can submit claims, and one that can complete claims). This may be the quickest way to get done what you need to get done.

MAKE SURE whoever fixes your car uses new parts from the mfg, and not after market parts to make sure your car is really as good as new. And in some states, insurers are required to reimburse you for loss of value of the car for it being in an accident (the loss of it value for the accident itself regardless of the condition after the repairs).

By the way, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but, not-at-fault accidents can be counted against you when your insurance policy renews, particularly IF you have any other thing on your driving record within three years.

akpsio

At this point, what I recommend is for you to file a claim with your insurance company and have your insurance company go after the other persons insurance company so that you can get you deductible back along with any cost towards rental car use.

Clevis D

Forget all this nonsense -- call your own company and make a collision claim. They will sort out the mess you are falling into and refund your deductible when they recover the money from the other company. Sounds like the other party is draging this out in hopes that you will go to your insurer anyway (I see this all the time). Understand that just because someone is insured they still have to present a claim -- an insurance company cannot do it for them which is why they may have to send a certified letter in an attempt to contact them. What the driver doesn't realize is either his/her company pays for the damages or he/she DOES! I am assuming that you HAVE collision coverage....

la428282

Sorry. They absolutely have the right to talk to their insured before they repair your car.

In their insured's contract their is likely a clause that states they must cooperate with their insurance for their insurance to cover a claim. Afterall- all insurance is is protection for the at fault party from you going after them personally.. if they dont want protection.... they wont be protected.

No amount of b*tching or lawyers (as im sure uneducated people will tell you to run to..) will change the fact that they have to try to get in touch with their insured and give them time to call back. You just need to be patient.

You could be waiting several weeks atleast... i suggest if you have your own policy you go through them.. oh thats right.. your the person who doesnt have any. You made your bed.. now you have to lay in it. Trust me.. if you hit a minivan full of people... your could be learning your lesson in a much harder way. You got lucky and got an easy way to learn your lesson.

also.. insurance doesnt just "drag out the process" for the fun of it. People who work in insurance want to close a claim as soon as possible.. its not like its fun to work on a claim for weeks... but you cant just not go through the proper procedure.. it has to be done.

geep

If you have a police report... and it's cut n dry the other persons fault, they other company will pay the claim after 60 days if the other party does not respond. I assume you have witnesses.

If you have collision coverage, it will be quicker to pay the damage from your policy, minus the deducible. Let your company go after them. Once your company gets back their money, your company will send you back your deducible.

leonard s

if you get no action from there insurance company in a week be concerned,there are various reasons the other person has not reported yet. if all else fair contact your insurance company they will make the other company pay!!

kindfulgirl78

This happen to me. I phoned their insurance compant letting them what had happen. I aslo told my insurance that the other didn't phoned in the accident. People will take advantage of you if you let them.

Rawbert

Contact your insurance too. If his insurance doesn't respond in about 1 week, contact his insurance again, then maybe seek a lawyer. The insurance company will drag it out in hopes that you will give up and accept whatever they offer. But if you wait it out and fight them, then you should get what you are entitled to.
I fought for 5 months before the insurance company gave me what my car was worth. They tried to only offer about 1/3rd or less.
Good luck and don't give in.

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