Filing a Claim After a Rear-End Collision
Last week, my wife was rear-ended, and we’ve been navigating the aftermath with the police department and insurance companies daily. Here are some key points:
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The incident occurred in Massachusetts.
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My wife was at a full stop when she was hit from behind.
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The responding officer mentioned that exchanging insurance information was unnecessary, as it would be included in the accident report.
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Our insurance company advised us to obtain the police report and file a claim with the other driver’s insurer.
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It took us 9 days to get the police report, which lists the insurance companies involved but does not include any policy numbers.
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It seems that both involved insurance companies are the same, but there are slight discrepancies in the report, leaving us uncertain if they’re indeed the same as ours.
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When we contacted our insurance company for help, they stated that they need the other driver’s policy number to proceed and suggested we get that information from the police.
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Unfortunately, the police department informed us that they do not provide that information, and we’re feeling a bit frustrated with the process.
Questions:
- Do we really need the other driver’s policy number?
- If not, what steps can our insurance company take next?
- Is it better to handle the claim through the other driver’s insurance instead of ours? (They might be the same, but the report is unclear.)
- Can we proceed with repairing my wife’s vehicle without filing a claim, or do we need to resolve the claim situation first?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I’m sorry to hear about your wife’s accident; that sounds frustrating. Here are some insights to address your questions:
Do we need the other driver’s policy #?
Typically, having the other driver’s policy number helps expedite the claims process, but it may not be strictly necessary in all cases. Your insurance company can sometimes work to identify the policy using the driver’s information, especially if it’s a common insurer.
If not, how does our insurance company proceed?
Your insurer can start the claims process with the information they do have. If they need the policy number, they might look it up using the other driver’s name and vehicle details. It’s worth insisting that they do this if they believe they can proceed without that specific number.
Is it better to deal with the other driver’s insurance rather than ours?
This depends on your situation. If the other driver is clearly at fault (as seems to be the case since your wife was at a full stop), you might prefer to file a claim with their insurance for coverage of damages, which could help you avoid higher premiums with your own insurer. However, start the process with your insurance as they can often guide you through the proceedings and advocate on your behalf.
Can we go forward with repairing her vehicle without filing a claim?
Yes, you can proceed with repairs without filing a claim first, but be mindful that you may have to cover the costs initially and seek reimbursement later, depending on the outcome of the claims process. Keep all documentation and receipts from the repair for potential reimbursement from the insurance company.
In any case, documenting everything—communications, reports, and especially any damages—will be crucial as you navigate this process. It might also be helpful to consult with a legal professional who specializes in auto accidents for additional guidance. Good luck, and I hope your wife’s situation resolves quickly!