“Someone hit my car; whose insurance company should I call?” This question can be one of the first things you think about after you get into a car accident or fender-bender with another vehicle. Even if the damage is minor, it is important to contact your own insurance provider as soon as possible (no matter who you think is at fault) to ensure that you can get your claim started and completed quickly.
Call your insurance provider
After you make sure you are physically and mentally okay after the accident, you will want to contact your insurance provider right away. If you have auto insurance with Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, we give you options to file a claim online, call our customer service center at 800-723-3276 or simply contact your local insurance agent to begin the process.
Gather essential information
When you report an auto insurance claim there will be essential information you will need to gather. This information includes:
Year, make and model of vehicles involved
Names of everyone involved in the accident including witnesses
Description of injuries
Home, work and cell phone numbers
Responding police department and accident report information
This information will speed up the auto insurance claims process and will get you back on the road in no time.
5 important things to remember if someone hit your car
If the unexpected happens and you find yourself in a car accident, these are a few things to remember:
Don’t leave the accident scene
Exchange information with the other driver(s) involved, including names, phone numbers and insurance information
Take photos of the damage
Contact the local authorities to come and file a police report
Contact your insurance provider and begin the claims process
Whether you are a first-time insurance buyer or are searching for a new insurance provider, it is important to understand the different types of insurance coverage out there for your vehicles.
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance offers coverages you can choose from that best fit your insurance needs, some of these coverages include:
Auto liability coverage — There are two types of liability coverage for auto insurance, these include bodily injury liability which will help pay for medical expenses and other damage within your policy limits if you are the one that causes an accident that injures someone. Then there is property damage liability which will help pay for property damage within the policy limits caused by your covered vehicle.
Collision coverage — This type of coverage can help pay for the repairs or replacement of your vehicle if the accident is covered.
Other than collision coverage — This type of coverage can help pay for the repairs or replacement of your vehicle if there is damage due to something other than a collision, such as hitting an animal or storm damage.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage — This type of coverage can assist with medical costs that are the result of an uninsured driver of another car who is the individual legally at fault. This coverage also applies to injuries that were caused by a driver who is insured but their liability limits are less than your policy’s limits of liability.
Medical payment coverage — This type of coverage can help cover medical expenses if you or your passenger(s) are hurt in an accident. This can also cover medical expenses if you are injured while using a non-owned vehicle or if you are hit by a car or trailer while a pedestrian.
Here are five frequently asked questions about auto insurance. If you want more information regarding these or any other questions you may contact a local insurance agent today!
Should I call another driver’s insurance company?
If you get into a car accident, you are under no obligation to call another driver’s insurance company to work out the claim. All you need to do is talk to your insurance provider when you get into an accident or if someone else hits your car, and they will handle the claim on your behalf.
Should I call my insurance provider even if it wasn’t my fault?
Yes, you will want to call your insurance provider regardless of whose fault you believe it may be. Your insurance provider will be able to walk you through the next steps of filing a claim and finding out what your coverage does and does not cover.
What if I don’t have insurance?
If you get into a car accident and don’t have insurance the consequences that follow are determined by where you live, the damage of the accident and who was at fault. Driving without insurance is not only irresponsible, but also illegal. In the state of Indiana, car insurance is mandatory for those driving or parking on the road.
How long does the claim stay on my record?
A car insurance claim will stay on your record for about three years. It can differentiate based on what state you live in.
Does my insurance go up if someone hits my car?
It depends. Sometimes car insurance premiums can increase based on the number of claims you filed the previous year, but car insurance premiums can also increase based on location, personal records, numbers of drivers on a policy and more. The best way to find out if your insurance premium did or will increase after an accident is by speaking with your local insurance agent.
Getting into a car accident is something no one wants to experience, but if the unimaginable does happen follow these steps to file a claim and more.