A lot of our blog topics are generated by our community of clients. Some are particularly close to home, though. This week's blog is a summary of a recent event from a friend of our office family.
The Quandary:
You were rear ended. It wasn't your fault. This totally sucks, we know. You're hesitant to instigate a claim and are leaning towards not bothering with a claim only because you believe it will be a mark on your record.
The Explanation:
If reported, the accident would be notified to both carriers, but considered "non-fault" for you. If found as a non-fault rear end it will still be reported to DMV as an accident, but for the company reporting database it should still show your non-fault. Exceptions to this general rule do happen, but 99% of the time it's reported correctly. For example, many years ago someone claimed our insured client back up into them instead of a rear end, so there is always the occasional exception.
All accidents, at-fault or not-at-fault are a pain regardless, because it's phone calls, appointments for estimates, possible deductible applied until the other party insurance pays to recoup it. If you do not have collision coverage, it will take a little longer while the other party insurance determines their responsibility to pay, but once it all shakes out, it's better not to be out the loss and/or value to the vehicle. If you do have collision coverage, your insurance will cover it right off the bat, and the repayment of fees (if everything shakes out in your favor) associated with repairs will be between your insurance and the at-fault drivers' insurance.
Finally, even if you think your car is a-okay after being rear ended, there can be hard-to-see damage inside the bumper, so it's best to have your car looked at. Especially if the value of the car and your potential safety are compromised.