Car accident: Is this required?

[Anonymous]

A friend told me that he was in a fender bender car accident. The other driver, apparently distracted, ignored a stop sign and plowed into him while turning left. Fortunately for him, a witness came forward and gave a statement to his insurance company.

Is my friend required to give them the other company a written or verbal statement to get his copay reimbursed? The opposing insurance company has already admitted fault but they keep calling him for a statement. He had asked his own insurance company not to share his statement with the other company to avoid giving them something to pick apart.

Also, his own insurance company offered to cover the repairs at the repair shop of his choice and waive the copay if he goes through them instead of the other driver's insurance. Is that a good option, or is there a catch?

[Anonymous]

Let the insurance companies work it out themselves

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let the insurance companies work it out themselves

This. Never get more involved than you have to. Never offer up information.

[Anonymous]

It is a common part of claim investigation to provide a statement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let the insurance companies work it out themselves

This.
This is what you pay them for.

[Anonymous]

Tell your insurance company you want them to handle it and to tell the other company not to contact you.
They will give them a copy of your statement. That's how it works. This will not increase your rates. The other company reimburses your company. They may even reimburse your deductible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let the insurance companies work it out themselves

This. Never get more involved than you have to. Never offer up information.

That’s what my friend is thinking, especially when faultv fault has been established. Others here have said that he needs to give his own company permission to release thevstagementvhe gave ti them. Is that wise, or is it better to give the other company nothing or at least a briefer, lesscdetailed statement.

His own insurance is reputable but the adjuster they gave him is brand new and mostly useless

[Anonymous]

oh FFS drop the "friend" thing. This is anonymous genius.

[Anonymous]

The statement already given is on the record. If you babbled on and vented too bad. Just let the insurance company do what it does. They may not need permission anyway come to think of it.

[Anonymous]

I would not involve my insurance company unless the other side was trying to put any blame on me. I got rear ended fairly recently and I was asked to describe what happened to the other drivers insurance co, and I did, and they paid, and that was the end of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The statement already given is on the record. If you babbled on and vented too bad. Just let the insurance company do what it does. They may not need permission anyway come to think of it.

The statement from my friend was apparently written, probably for that reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not involve my insurance company unless the other side was trying to put any blame on me. I got rear ended fairly recently and I was asked to describe what happened to the other drivers insurance co, and I did, and they paid, and that was the end of it.

Interesting. Did the other driver accept fault at the scene? If not, how did you know they wouldn't try to pin blame?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not involve my insurance company unless the other side was trying to put any blame on me. I got rear ended fairly recently and I was asked to describe what happened to the other drivers insurance co, and I did, and they paid, and that was the end of it.

Interesting. Did the other driver accept fault at the scene? If not, how did you know they wouldn't try to pin blame?

He was apologetic so he probably accepted fault when he gave his story. But he would've had no case otherwise since cars in front of us came to a stop and I had no trouble stopping, didnt swerve or anything, so there's nothing I did wrong there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not involve my insurance company unless the other side was trying to put any blame on me. I got rear ended fairly recently and I was asked to describe what happened to the other drivers insurance co, and I did, and they paid, and that was the end of it.

Interesting. Did the other driver accept fault at the scene? If not, how did you know they wouldn't try to pin blame?

He was apologetic so he probably accepted fault when he gave his story. But he would've had no case otherwise since cars in front of us came to a stop and I had no trouble stopping, didnt swerve or anything, so there's nothing I did wrong there.

One more thing it was minor enough I waited a day for his insurance to contact me first before I acted.

[Anonymous]

If you want to not be at fault, you:

Immediately start recording as you exit the vehicle
Get the person to admit fault on video
Get contact information and flag down witnesses

Why? Because people often recant and then insurance will eventually blame you. Even if partially it'll raise your rates.