Using the other driver's insurance for collision repair

Hey folks! This is Mike and Tom from Pacific One Collision and Restoration.

Welcome to another Q&A session where I answer questions from you all on the internet.

Today's question is:

"Using the other driver's insurance for collision repair"

Summary:

Mike explains that whether a customer can use the other driver's insurance comes down to fault. In many, but not all, cases the police determine who is at fault. When there are issues or disputes about fault, each party may have to use their own insurance while the insurance companies battle it out. If the police determine that driver A is responsible for the accident, then driver A's insurance has to fix driver B's vehicle, and yes, the customer will use someone else's insurance. However, if the at-fault party does not have insurance, the customer will most likely end up using their own coverage, and their insurer will then pursue subrogation, attempting to collect on the customer's behalf from the other party or that party's insurance, particularly when fault is being disputed.

Answer:

Can a customer use the other driver's insurance when in an auto accident? It really depends on who's at fault. What happens when you get into an accident, in a lot of cases but not all, is the police will typically determine who's at fault. In some cases there are issues or concerns about who was at fault, and each person may have to use their own insurance at that time, but the insurance companies are typically the ones that battle it out in those cases. In a lot of cases, if the police determine that driver A is responsible for the accident, then they'll have to fix driver B's vehicle, and yes, you will use somebody else's insurance. If that person does not have insurance, then you're most likely going to end up having to use your own insurance, and they will do subrogation and try to collect on your behalf through that other party or that other party's insurance, if they're trying to dispute who was at fault.