Why You Should Always File a Claim With Your Insurance After an Accident — Even When It’s Not Your Fault

Let’s cut through the confusion and outdated advice that too many drivers are given after an accident:

If you’re involved in a crash, you should almost always file the claim through your own insurance company first — even when you’re not at fault.

Sounds counterintuitive? Maybe. But here’s the truth:

You’ve paid your insurance premiums for coverage that is designed to protect you when things go sideways — so why would you leave your fate in the hands of a stranger’s insurance company, whose only job is to pay you as little as possible?

Your Policy = Your Defense

When you go through your own insurance carrier, you tap into your policy’s protections:

They owe you a duty under the contract you pay for.

If the vehicle totals out, your carrier is contractually obligated to handle it properly — including your right to dispute the value through the Right to Appraisal (RTA) if you disagree with their valuation.

If repairs are necessary, your insurance must cover what is reasonable and necessary to return the vehicle to pre-loss condition, subject to your policy terms. If they don’t, you have contractual remedies.

In contrast, if you go directly through the at-fault driver’s insurer, you have no contract with them — zero.

They can short-pay repairs, refuse legitimate procedures, undervalue your total loss, or flat-out ignore you.

You’re left begging a company that owes you nothing.

Subrogation Handles Fault

Here’s another myth that needs to die:

“But if I file with my insurance, won’t it hurt me since it wasn’t my fault?”

Nope.

Once your insurance pays the claim, they pursue reimbursement from the at-fault party’s insurer through subrogation.

That’s their headache — not yours.

If the other driver is at fault, your deductible is typically reimbursed when subrogation resolves.

Protect Your Diminished Value Rights

A smart move few consumers understand:

Once your insurer pays your claim and subrogation is completed, you can still pursue a separate Diminished Value (DV) claim directly against the at-fault party’s insurer.

Why is this important?

If you go directly through their carrier from the start, they will often try to bundle DV into a lowball settlement or deny it altogether.

But by letting your carrier handle the main claim first, you control the process and then come back later for what you’re entitled to in lost value.

The Bottom Line

You buy insurance for your protection.

You pay good money for it every month or every renewal cycle.

So why would you hand control of your claim to the at-fault party’s insurer — a company that has no loyalty, no contract, and no legal duty to fairly protect your interests?

Filing with your own insurance ensures: ✅ Proper contractual protections

✅ The ability to challenge unfair valuations through RTA if your car totals out

✅ Smooth repair process with your carrier obligated to pay for reasonable and necessary repairs

✅ Ability to pursue Diminished Value after the dust settles

It’s your coverage. Use it.

Then let the insurance companies fight it out behind the scenes — exactly as the system is designed to work.