Do I Call the Other Drivers Insurance if They Hit Me
No, your first call goes to your own insurer, even though the other driver was at fault.
A rear-end collision on the way home
Your teen is stopped at a light and gets rear-ended. The other driver admits fault at the scene and hands over their insurance card. Your teen calls you, and you tell them to take photos, get the other driver's license plate and insurance details, and ask if anyone's hurt before anyone leaves.
Once your teen is home, you call your own insurer first to report the accident, even though it wasn't your teen's fault. Your insurer opens a claim, explains how the other driver's insurer will likely contact you, and tells you what to say if they call first. A few days later the other driver's insurer does call, and because you already reported it to your own company, you know what to confirm and what to leave for the adjusters to sort out between themselves.
What if the other driver's insurance calls me first?
Answer them, but keep it short. Confirm the basic facts of what happened, where, and when, and give them your contact information. You don't owe them a recorded statement on the spot, and you don't have to agree to one until you've talked to your own insurer.
Their insurer's job is to protect their company's money, not yours. They may ask open-ended questions hoping you'll say something that shifts blame your way, even partially. It's reasonable to tell them you'll follow up after speaking with your own insurance company first. That's not stonewalling, it's just making sure someone is looking out for your side before you say anything that gets written down and used later.
Calling your own insurer first versus waiting to hear from theirs
If you do
Your insurer opens a claim right away, documents the accident while details are fresh, and tells you exactly what the other insurer will likely ask. You have an advocate on record before any other conversation happens, and you know what to say if the other driver's company calls.
If you don't
The other driver's insurer may contact you first, and you answer their questions without anyone on your side knowing the accident happened yet. If their story shifts or they dispute fault, you have no claim open and no one advocating for your account of events.
Now that you know who to call first, compare quotes to make sure your coverage still fits what a real claim requires.
What to do before and after you make that call
- Report to your own insurer Tell your insurer about the accident even when the other driver is clearly at fault. This opens your claim file and gives you guidance before anyone else contacts you.
- Collect info at the scene Get the other driver's name, insurance company, and policy number before you leave. Photos of both vehicles and the scene matter more later than they seem to in the moment.
- Know your state's fault rules Some states handle fault and payment differently than others. Check with your insurer or agent how your state determines who pays first.
- Be careful with statements The other driver's insurer may ask to record your account of the accident. You can decline until you've spoken with your own insurer about what to share.
- Keep records of every contact Write down names, dates, and what was said any time you talk to either insurance company. This protects you if the story told later doesn't match what actually happened.
The first call you make decides who's looking out for you, so make it to your own insurer.
Do I have to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance?
No, you don't have to give one right away. You can confirm basic facts like time, location, and what happened, but a formal recorded statement is something you can delay until you've talked to your own insurer. Their adjuster can advise you on what's reasonable to share and what to hold off on, since recorded statements can be used to dispute fault or reduce what you're owed later.
What happens if the other driver's insurance denies the claim?
If they deny it, your own insurer can still help you pursue the claim or cover the damage depending on your coverage. This is exactly why reporting to your own insurer first matters, because you already have a claim open and someone representing your side. Ask your insurer what coverage you have for this situation and what the appeal process looks like if the denial seems wrong.
Should my teen exchange insurance information themselves after an accident?
Yes, teens should know how to exchange basic information like names, insurance companies, and policy numbers at the scene. They don't need to discuss fault or apologize, just gather facts and photos. Talk through this before they're ever in an accident so they know what to do and what to avoid saying in the moment.
