Complimentary Collision Inspections & Consultations
Complimentary Collision Inspections & Consultations
Most people believe that if someone else caused the accident, they should file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company.
It sounds logical — but in practice, it often leads to delays, lowball offers, and endless frustration.
Here’s the truth:
Filing with your own insurance company is often the fastest, safest, and most effective way to get your vehicle repaired properly — even when you didn’t cause the collision.
This page explains why.
When you file a claim with your own insurer (a first‑party claim), they must follow:
They owe you these duties because you are their customer.
The at‑fault driver’s insurer owes you nothing under their policy.
You are a stranger to their contract.
That’s why third‑party claims feel like a fight — because they are.
When you file with your own insurer, you can use the appraisal clause to dispute:
This clause forces your insurer to negotiate with your independent appraiser and, if needed, a neutral umpire.
You cannot invoke the appraisal clause.
You have no contractual rights.
You have no leverage.
Filing with your own insurer gives you the tools to fight back.
When you file with your own insurer:
Your insurer then seeks reimbursement from the at‑fault insurer through subrogation — a process that happens behind the scenes and doesn’t involve you.
They fight each other later.
Third‑party insurers commonly:
They do this because they owe you nothing under their policy.
You get the benefit of being a customer, not an outsider.
Filing with your own insurer does not take away your rights.
You still retain the ability to pursue:
Your insurer simply handles the repair portion more efficiently.
Many consumers worry that filing with their own insurer will “cost the company money” or “hurt their rates.”
If you’re not at fault, your insurer will pursue the at‑fault insurer for reimbursement.
This is called subrogation.
You’re not penalized for using the coverage you paid for.
When you file a third‑party claim, the at‑fault insurer sees you as:
When you file a first‑party claim, your insurer sees you as:
The difference in treatment is night and day.
You should strongly consider filing with your own insurer when:
In these situations, filing with your own insurer protects you from the games insurers play.
You paid for coverage.
You paid for rights.
You paid for protection.
Use it.
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