McKayla Girardin, Car Insurance Writer
@mckayla_girardin
No-fault insurance claims work the same way as any other car insurance claims except for the fact that you always request compensation from your own insurance company, regardless of who caused the accident. You will typically file a claim with your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for compensation for your injuries.
However, no-fault insurance does not cover your vehicle or other property damage – that is covered by the at-fault driver’s property damage liability insurance or your own collision coverage.
How the No-Fault Insurance Claims Process Works
- You contact your insurance company following an accident. Contacting your insurer is not the same as filing a claim, but it’s an important first step. Just be sure not to disclose any information that suggests the extent of your injuries, as this may hurt your claim in the future.
- You collect documentation for your claim. This can include things like medical records, notes from doctors, receipts for hospital visits, proof of any tests that you went through, and photo evidence. Since no-fault insurance also covers peripheral costs, for things like childcare and lost wages, you should provide proof of needing those expenses covered, too, if applicable.
- You file the claim. You may be able to file your claim online, by phone, or using your insurance company’s app, depending on your insurer.
- Your insurance company will investigate the claim. Insurance adjusters will look over the details of the claim and the evidence you provide to determine how much the insurance company needs to pay and to make sure there is no reason to suspect fraud.
- Your insurance company will decide if the claim is approved or denied. Some states require insurance companies to approve claims within a specific timeframe following the investigation, but you should know if your claim is approved after 15 to 30 days on average.
- You receive a settlement. If your claim is approved, your insurance company will provide you with compensation, often by check. You may also have the opportunity to appeal your settlement if you feel you should be awarded more than they are offering.
No-fault states typically place limitations on your right to sue the other driver after an accident. However, if your injuries are severe or permanent, you may be able to take legal action to secure more money to cover your expenses. Speaking with an experienced claims lawyer can help you understand if you have this option available to you.
To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guides to no-fault car insurance, car insurance claims, and bodily injury claims.
People also ask
How does car insurance work when you are not at fault?
When you're not at fault in an accident, the at-fault driver's insurance should cover your car damage and medical bills. You can file a collision claim with your own insurer if determining fault will take too long, and they will then seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. In addition, no-fault states require you to use your own insurance to pay medical bills.
How Car Insurance Works When You’re Not At Fault
- ...
If a car accident is not your fault, does your insurance go up?
If a car accident is not your fault, your insurance rate could still go up, depending on your state and insurance company. On average, a not-at-fault accident makes insurance costs go up by about 12%, compared to 45% for an at-fault accident.
Insurance rates can go up after a not-at-fault accident because statistics show that having any accident on your driving record makes you more likely to file a claim in the future. And...
read full answer by WalletHub, Financial CompanyWhose insurance pays in a no-fault accident?
In a no-fault accident, each driver’s insurance pays for their own medical bills, regardless of who caused the wreck. No-fault states require drivers to have personal injury protection (PIP) insurance in order to pay for their own injury-related expenses, including hospital bills and lost income.
A “no-fault” accident is a wreck that takes place in a state with no-fault laws. However, no-fault laws only apply to injuries, so at least one driver will still be deemed responsible...
read full answer by WalletHub, Financial CompanyDid we answer your question?
Important Disclosures
Ad Disclosure: Certain offers that appear on this site originate from paying advertisers. For full transparency, here is a list of our current advertisers.
Advertising impacts how and where offers appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear and their prevalence). At WalletHub we try to present a wide array of offers, but our offers do not represent all financial services companies or products.
Advertising enables WalletHub to provide you proprietary tools, services, and content at no charge. Advertising does not impact WalletHub's editorial content including our best picks, reviews, ratings and opinions. Those are completely independent and not provided, commissioned, or endorsed by any company, as our editors follow a strict editorial policy.