Filing an insurance claim after a collision where you are at fault can depend on several factors, but generally, it is advisable to promptly inform your insurance company. Notifying your insurer as soon as possible helps ensure compliance with your policy’s conditions and can facilitate the claims process. By reporting the accident, you enable your insurer to begin investigating the incident and possibly negotiates claims with the other party, which can also offer you legal protection against potential disputes or exaggerated claims.
Waiting for the other party to file might risk jeopardizing your insurance coverage due to late reporting. Certain policies require timely reporting of all incidents that might lead to a claim. Failing to do so can cause complications or coverage denials. Moreover, if the other party files first, their account may influence the claims adjuster’s perspective before you’ve presented your side of the story, potentially affecting the outcome to your disadvantage.
Furthermore, reporting the accident yourself shows cooperation and willingness to resolve the issue, which can prevent escalation. It also protects your interests by documenting the incident while the details are fresh. Hence, unless advised otherwise by legal counsel, filing the claim through your insurer as soon as feasible is typically the most prudent course of action.
