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A car accident can throw your whole day sideways. Your hands might shake and your mind might race through a dozen questions at once. And somewhere between the adrenaline and the exchange of phone numbers, one thought keeps coming back: whose insurance am I supposed to call? 

The short version: call yours. But there's more to it than that, especially if you're driving in Indiana. Here are some steps to consider taking after an accident, which coverage typically applies, and how the claims process actually works after someone hits your car. 

What to do right after someone hits your car 

The first few minutes after a collision matter more than most people realize. What you do (and don't do) at the scene may shape how smoothly your claim goes later. Here's the order that tends to work best: 

1. Check for injuries. Your safety and the safety of your passengers are a top priority. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. 

2. Move to a safe spot. If the vehicles are drivable, consider pulling off the road and out of traffic. Turn on your hazard lights. 

3. Call the police. In Indiana, you're required to report any accident that causes injury, death or property damage over $1,000. Even for minor fender-benders, a police report creates an official record that can help during the claims process. (Related: How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record in Indiana?) 

4. Exchange information with the other driver. Get their name, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver's license number and license plate information. Give them yours in return. 

5. Document everything as best you can. Take photos of all vehicle damage, the accident scene, street signs, traffic signals, skid marks and any visible injuries. Snap a picture of the other driver's insurance card and license plate. 

6. Talk to witnesses. If anyone saw what happened, ask for their name and contact information. Witness accounts can be valuable if fault is disputed. 

7. Call your insurance company. This is the step that often trips people up, and it's an most important one. 

Why you should call your own insurance first

It seems backward. Someone else hit you, so shouldn't their insurance handle it? Most often, yes. However, contacting your insurer first is a good idea for a few practical reasons. 

Your insurer works for you. The other driver's insurance company will be primarily focused on their client. Your insurer can do the same for you, even if you are not at fault. They can help walk you through the claim, explain coverage, and may advocate on your behalf if fault is disputed. 

You may be able to get repairs started faster. If you have collision coverage on your policy, your insurer may authorize repairs right away, without waiting for the other carrier to accept fault. You'll need to pay your deductible upfront, but your company generally pursues reimbursement from the at-fault driver's insurer through a process called subrogation. 

You may have added protection if the other driver can be identified and happens to be uninsured. Roughly 16% of Indiana motorists drive without insurance, according to the Insurance Research Council. If the person who hit you doesn't have insurance, your uninsured motorist coverage may step in to help cover your medical expenses and vehicle damage. 

It can help satisfy your policy requirements. Most auto insurance policies require you to report any accident involving your covered vehicle—regardless of fault. Waiting too long, or not reporting at all, could create complications if you need to file a claim later. 

If you have auto insurance with Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, you can file a claim on our mobile app, online, by calling our customer service center at 800-723-3276 or you can reach out to your local agent directly. 

What to avoid after someone hits your car

What you avoid doing at the scene can be just as important as what you actually do. A few common mistakes could complicate your claim or even weaken your position. Consider these tips if you find yourself in an accident: 

• Don't admit fault. Sometimes even saying "I'm sorry" could be interpreted as an admission of fault or responsibility, so it’s best to stick with exchanging facts: names, numbers and insurance details. 

• Don't agree to skip filing a police report. The other driver might suggest handling it "just between us." Without an official report, you have no impartial record of what happened if a dispute arises later. 

• Don't give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer unless your claim adjuster says it’s okay. You're not required to, and anything you say could be used against you in an attempt to reduce or deny your claim. Let your insurance company handle that conversation unless your claims adjuster gives you the green light. If you do speak with the other driver’s insurer, stick to the facts and tell your perspective of what happened. Don't make any settlement if you feel pressured or uncomfortable, and talk to your own adjuster if you do feel pressured. 

• Don't accept a quick cash settlement at the scene or from the other driver’s insurance carrier. You may not know the full extent of the damage or potential injuries until later. If you accept a payout, you generally can't go back and ask for more. 

• Don't post about the accident on social media. Photos, comments or even check-ins near the accident location can be pulled into a claims dispute. Keep the details between you, the police and your insurer. 

• Don't leave the scene. Leaving the scene of an accident is illegal in Indiana and could result in criminal charges, even if the accident wasn't your fault. 

How Indiana's at-fault insurance system works

Indiana is what's known as an at-fault state. This means the driver who caused the accident is held financially responsible for the other driver's damages: medical bills, vehicle repairs, lost wages and more. 

Here's what that looks like in practice: 

• If the other driver is clearly at fault and has insurance, their liability coverage may pay for your damages up to their policy limits. 

• If fault is shared, Indiana's modified comparative negligence rule applies and your compensation would be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you're found 51% or more responsible, you can't recover any damages from the other driver. 

• If the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, your own uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may help fill the gap (assuming you didn't waive this coverage in writing when you bought your policy). 

Indiana requires all drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of 25/50/25: 

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person 

• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident (two or more people) 

• $25,000 for property damage per accident 

These minimums are the legal floor, not necessarily a recommendation. A single serious accident can exceed these limits quickly. That's one of many reasons many Indiana drivers choose higher coverage, and why umbrella insurance can be an added layer of protection. 

Which auto coverage pays after someone hits your car?

The type of coverage that applies depends on the circumstances of the accident. Here's a breakdown of some common scenarios: 

The other driver is at fault and insured

Medical payments coverage (MedPay) can help cover medical expenses for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of fault. This coverage also may apply if you're hit by a vehicle while walking or riding a bicycle. 

What a real claim might look like: a step-by-step example

Hypothetical Scenario*: You're stopped at a red light on U.S. 31 in Greenwood when a driver rear-ends you. The impact cracks your bumper and triggers your airbag warning light. Your neck is sore, but you otherwise feel fine. Here's how the process typically unfolds: 

1. At the scene: You check yourself and your passenger. You’re both shaken but okay. You call 911. While waiting for the officer, you exchange information with the other driver and take photos of both vehicles, the intersection, and the other driver's license plate and insurance card. 

2. The police report: The officer documents the scene, takes statements from both drivers, and notes that the other driver was following too closely. You receive the report number before leaving. 

3. Your first contact: From the parking lot of a nearby gas station, you file a claim with Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance on our mobile app, online, by calling 800-723-3276 or by contacting your agent. 

4. Next steps: An adjuster inspects your vehicle and prepares a repair estimate. Because you have collision coverage, repairs are authorized right away, and you pay your deductible, and Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance handles the rest. Your MedPay coverage takes care of a visit to your doctor for the neck soreness. If you're insured with Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, there are ways to streamline the claims process like opting in for photo estimates, choosing a body shop in our network of preferred shops and more. 

5. Behind the scenes: Your insurer contacts the other driver's carrier and begins subrogation, the process of recovering what they paid out (including your deductible) from the at-fault driver's liability insurance. 

6. Resolution: The other driver is confirmed at fault. Their insurer reimburses your carrier, and your deductible is returned to you. The claim is closed. 

*This simplified example is for illustrative purposes only. Actual claim outcomes may vary depending on the circumstances of the accident, your policy coverage and terms, and other parties involved. This example does not guarantee or predict any particular claim outcome. 

What information you'll need when filing a claim

Having these details ready when you file your claim with your insurer may help speed up the process: 

• Your policy number 

• Date, time and location of the accident 

• A description of what happened 

• Names, phone numbers and insurance details of everyone involved 

• Year, make and model of all vehicles 

• Names and contact information for any witnesses 

• The police report number (or the responding department's name) 

• Photos of the damage, scene and any injuries 

• Description of any injuries sustained 

The more thorough your documentation, typically means the faster your claim can move forward. 

What to expect after you file your claim

Once you've filed, the process generally follows a predictable path. Here's a rough timeline so you know what's coming: 

Timelines vary based on the complexity of the accident, severity of damage, and whether fault is disputed. Your claims adjuster can give you a more specific estimate for your situation. This example does not guarantee or predict any particular claim outcome. 

Glove box checklist: what to consider keeping in your car

You can't plan for an accident, but you can be more prepared if one happens. Keep these items in your glove compartment so you have them when it matters most: 

🚗 Indiana Driver's Accident Checklist
Print & Keep in Your Glove Box

☐ Your insurance company's name and your auto policy number

☐ Your agent's name and phone number

☐ Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance claims line: 800-723-3276

☐ A pen and notepad (phone battery can die at the worst time)

☐ Space to write: other driver's name, phone, insurance company, policy number, license plate, driver's license number

☐ Reminder: Take photos of all damage, the scene, street signs, and the other driver's insurance card

☐ Reminder: Get witness names and contact info

☐ Reminder: Call the police, required in Indiana for injury or damage over $1,000 and generally a best practice

☐ Reminder: Do NOT admit fault, sign anything or post on social media

💡 Tip: Screenshot this checklist and save it to your phone's photos, or print it off from your computer and place it in your glove box.

What about a hit-and-run?

If someone damages your car and leaves without providing their information, you're dealing with a hit-and-run. Here's what to do: 

1. Call the police and file a report. Hit-and-run is a crime in Indiana, and the report creates an official record of the incident. 

2. Check the area for security cameras: parking lots, nearby businesses and intersections may have access to footage that could help identify the other driver. 

3. Document the damage with photos. 

4. File a claim with your insurance company. Your collision coverage may cover the repairs, depending on your policy. 

Should you talk to the other driver's insurance company?

You're under no obligation to speak with the other driver's insurer, and you're often times you’re better off letting your insurance company handle that communication. The other carrier's role is to protect their client, not you. They may ask leading questions or push for a quick settlement that doesn't fully account for your expenses. 

If the other driver's insurance company does contact you, it's generally okay to confirm basic facts (the date and location of the accident), but you should generally avoid giving recorded statements unless your claims adjuster advises you to participate. This can help you avoid admitting any fault or accepting a settlement offer before speaking with your insurer. If you feel pressured by the other driver’s insurer to take a settlement or feel uncomfortable during the conversation, let your claims adjuster know. 

Will your insurance rates go up?

If someone else caused the accident, your rates typically won't increase. Most insurance companies, including Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, typically don't raise premiums for not-at-fault claims. 

That said, your claims history is one factor among many that affects your premium. Location, driving record, number of drivers on your policy and the type of vehicle you drive all play a role. The best way to know how a claim might affect your rate is to ask your local agent directly.