If you live in an at-fault state, getting into an accident that isn’t your fault can put you at risk of losing everything, even if you have
good car insurance. So what happens when you get into an accident that you’re not at-fault for?
You might be wondering how your insurance will change. There’s also a chance that the other driver can’t afford your losses. We spoke with a driver whose insurance ended up saving them thousands in claims. Despite the at-fault driver not having any auto coverage, Jeffrey was still able to easily fix his car.
Jeffrey’s Not-At-Fault Accident With An Insured Driver
Jeffrey’s first accident was definitely his fault. The young driver took a corner too quickly and swiped the side of his parent’s car. The wall was unscathed, so he paid his parents the $500 deductible on their insurance for the damage. The claims process was pretty simple as he was a primary driver on the insurance. Jeffrey’s insurance ended up saving both him and his parents a lot of time and money.
Jeffrey’s next accident, a few years later, would be much different. This time, Jeffrey was driving along the Texas interstate in back to back traffic. After coming to a full and complete stop, another driver rear-ended him. This driver was not paying attention when he hit Jeffrey. While exchanging information, Jeffrey found out that the driver had an expired license and was not the car’s owner.
It’s totally
possible and legal for you to drive someone else’s car with their permission. However, if someone does borrow a vehicle, they must:
- Have a valid license
- Have permission from the owner
- Use it for an agreed upon purpose
- Abide by all traffic laws
Normally, when you borrow another person’s car, their insurance would pay for any damages in an accident. The at-fault driver in this accident did not have a valid license, therefore, the driver was not covered. So unlike Jeffrey’s first accident, where he was covered even if someone else was affected, the at-fault driver in this accident did not have proper coverage.
The Insurance Claim Process After A Not-At-Fault Accident
After taking pictures, gathering contact information, and calling the police, it was time to call the insurance company. Jeffrey was still under his parent’s insurance during this accident, so the same insurance company was also handling this claim.
Jeffrey’s insurance company did a full investigation on the claim including the health of himself and his passenger. No one was hurt in this accident, but the car was still damaged. Since Texas is an At-Fault state, the driver who caused the accident would pay for all the damages. And because the at-fault driver was technically uninsured, this claim could possibly end up being a little more complicated.
Thankfully, Jeffrey’s parents had uninsured or underinsured driver coverage on their insurance.
Texas doesn’t require this coverage, many who want to save on insurance will, therefore, opt out of this coverage. However, it’s highly recommended that drivers have at least:
- $100,000 for bodily injury per person
- $300,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $35,000 in property damage
Drivers are also recommended they get coverage for underinsured motorists, personal injury protection, and comprehensive and collision coverage. Despite what your state may only legally require you to have, you should still get some coverage on all these things.
In Jeffery’s case, adding additional coverage ended up saving him and his parents thousands of dollars in repairs and possibly a lengthy court battle for this not-at-fault accident. Similarly with Jeffrey’s first accident, his parent’s additional comprehensive insurance covered the swipe on their vehicle. And, unlike the at-fault driver, Jeffrey was also listed as a primary driver, which automatically covers him for both accidents.
What Jeffrey Learned From This Experience
Years later, Jeffrey began working for a large insurance company. There, he discovered that most insurance providers won’t write minimum policies for this very reason. He also discovered that some insurance companies offer cheaper rates, but don’t do subrogation. Others can have a lengthy process that can last up to 6 months! This, in turn, can severely affect your credit score. The coverage you’d need comes out of pocket before going through negotiations with the other driver’s insurance company.
Jeffery’s parents found coverage suited for the entire family. Jeffrey would now never have to worry about getting any damages covered. This is for a few reasons, such as:
- Their top-tier insurance provider
- The great coverage on all their vehicles
- Having Jeffrey listed as a primary driver
By trusting the better judgement of their insurance company, Jeffrey and his family were able to save thousands, and repair their vehicles with ease.
Not sure what coverage you’ll need for your vehicle? Don’t worry- Quote Purple works with the best partners who’ll be honest about the type of coverage you should get. To speak to one of our partners, call Quote Purple at 1 (877) 200-6113.
