Do I File a Claim if Someone Else Hit My Car
Yes, file a claim against the other driver's insurance, since it covers your repair and won't raise your own rates.
Why this goes through their insurance, not yours
When someone else causes the crash, their liability coverage is meant to pay for your damage. That's what liability insurance is for. Filing means you're asking their insurer to make good on the harm their driver caused, and it's a direct, normal use of the system, not something to feel bad about.
Your own insurer usually isn't involved unless the other driver has no insurance or not enough, or fault is unclear and you need your collision coverage to get moving while it gets sorted out. In those cases you'd file under your own policy, and your insurer would then try to recover the cost from the at-fault driver's insurer later. That process has a name, subrogation, and if it succeeds, any deductible you paid often gets returned to you.
Where this gets tangled is when fault is disputed. The other driver might tell their insurer a different story than what happened, or there might be no clear witness. Insurers investigate using police reports, damage patterns and statements, but it can take time, and sometimes both insurers disagree on who was at fault. That's part of why documenting the scene well, photos, other driver's information, any witnesses, matters so much in the moment.
State rules shape some of this too. Some states assign fault entirely to one driver, others split it by percentage between drivers, which can change how much either insurer pays. Check how your state handles fault before you assume the split will be clean.
What if the other driver's insurance denies the claim or delays paying?
This happens more than people expect, especially when fault is contested or the other driver disputes the story. If their insurer denies or stalls, you're not stuck. You can file under your own collision coverage instead, get your car fixed, and let your insurer pursue reimbursement from the other side through subrogation.
You can also escalate directly, requesting a supervisor review or filing a complaint with your state's insurance department if you believe the denial is unreasonable. Keep every piece of documentation, the police report, photos, repair estimates and any communication. Having a clear paper trail is often what turns a stalled claim into a paid one, and it's worth doing even if it feels like extra work in the moment.
Compare quotes now so your own coverage backs you up if the other driver's insurance falls short.
What to do before and after you file
- Document the scene fully Photos of all vehicles, the road, and visible damage protect you if fault gets disputed later. Get the other driver's name, insurance company and plate number before you leave.
- Get a police report A police report gives an official record of what happened and who was involved. Call it in even for minor damage, since insurers lean on it heavily.
- Know your deductible situation If you file under your own collision coverage while fault is sorted out, you'll pay your deductible upfront. Ask if it's refunded once the other insurer accepts fault.
- Watch for rate impact anyway Filing against the other driver's insurance shouldn't raise your rates, but check your policy's language on accident surcharges either way. Rules on this vary by insurer.
- Keep all records organized Save every estimate, report and message in one place. If the claim gets delayed or denied, this is what makes escalating it manageable.
The claim isn't against you. It's how the other driver's insurance makes you whole.
Will my insurance rates go up if someone else hits my car?
Generally no, if the other driver is clearly at fault and their insurer pays the claim. Rate increases are usually tied to accidents where you're found at fault, not ones where you're the victim. Some insurers do apply a minor adjustment even for not-at-fault claims, though this is uncommon and varies by company. Check your policy or ask your agent directly how your insurer treats not-at-fault claims, since this detail isn't universal.
Should I use my own insurance or the other driver's to fix my car?
Use the other driver's insurance when fault is clear, since it means no deductible and no risk to your own rates. Use your own collision coverage when fault is disputed, the other driver is uninsured, or you need your car repaired quickly and can't wait on their insurer's investigation. Your insurer can then pursue reimbursement from the at-fault driver through subrogation, and often returns your deductible if they succeed. Which path is faster or cheaper depends on your state's fault rules and your policy's specific deductible and rental terms.
What if the other driver doesn't have insurance?
You'd file under your own uninsured motorist coverage if you have it, which exists specifically for this situation. Without that coverage, you may need to pursue the other driver directly for damages, which can be slow and uncertain. This is one reason many drivers carry uninsured motorist coverage even where it isn't required. Check whether your state mandates it and what your policy currently includes, since coverage levels vary widely.
