Many people are under the mistaken impression that there is no reason to report their accident to their own insurance company when a negligent driver is responsible for compensating them for their injuries. While it is true that the driver at fault in causing your auto accident would be liable for paying for your losses, you still want to report the accident to your own insurance agent. If you fail to do so, you may actually waive your right to additional compensation you could be entitled to.
Why You Should Report Your Automobile Accident to Your Own Insurance Company
Reporting your vehicle collision to your insurance company is different from filing a claim. When you report your crash, you are simply notifying your insurance company that it occurred – and preserving your rights under your insurance policy if you later need to take advantage of them. Here are reasons why you should report your crash even when you plan to seek the total amount owed from the other driver:
- Your auto insurance policy is a contract between your insurance company and you. If it requires you to report the accident and you fail to do so, you could be in breach of your contract.
- Your insurance policy most likely includes a clause giving you a certain deadline to notify your insurance company of your accident if you want to make a claim under your insurance policy at a later date. If you miss this deadline, you may be prohibited from filing a claim if you later discover that you need to.
- If the negligent driver’s insurance company is denying liability for your crash and the extent of your injuries, the company may be unwilling to pay your automobile repair and car rental expenses until your entire claim is settled. You most likely need to get your vehicle repaired quickly, and it could be easier to make a claim for these expenses with your own insurance company.
- While the negligent driver may claim to have automobile insurance at the scene of the crash, you may discover that his policy had been cancelled. Even if he has insurance, it could be for Nevada’s minimum required insurance coverage, which is only $15,000 in liability coverage for one person’s injuries. This could be a drop in the bucket in terms of compensating you, and you may need to make a claim under your own uninsured or underinsured insurance coverage if you purchased it.
Have You Been Involved In A Henderson Or Las Vegas Car Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Henderson office directly at 702.405.6000 to schedule a free initial consultation.