My boyfriend borrowed my car this morning to go to a job interview and was in an accident. He was stopped at the light and the other driver was looking in his rearview thinking the car behind him was going to hit him, and then hit my car because he wasn't paying attention. My boyfriend said that the bumper wasn't crunched, just the indent of the other driver's license plate and screws.

The other driver didn't have insurance, but I have full coverage on my car. My boyfriend said that his neck hurts a little bit when I asked him if he was OK. The other driver got a ticket ($1000) for following too close, no insurance and having beer in the car.

So my question is this: should I call my insurance company and report it?

I have a $500 deductible, and my car is already scheduled to be repainted and everything buffed out of it. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Yes, your insurance company should be called. Your friend may have bodily injuries and need medical care, and that should be paid by the other driver. Your company will make sure all the t's are crossed and I's dotted.

I will slightly disagree with my friend and colleague - respectfully slightly disagree.

I would call my insurance AGENT (if you use an agent) and put that person on notice. If you have a good relationship with the agent he/she will make a note of your call and hold the info pending any additional action involving the accident. That way it is not reported to the company. Some companies will raise your premium no matter WHO was at fault. My late husband's premium went up based on a hit and run in a parking lot when we were not in the car.

Judy is correct. When I said "call the company," I didn't think to specify "agent." To me, doing that would be calling "the company" (and not my mother or a lawyer).

Judy is correct. When I said "call the company," I didn't think to specify "agent." To me, doing that would be calling "the company" (and not my mother or a lawyer).


I do a lot of accident investigations and people who deal directly with the company may get less expensive insurance BUT if there is any type of accident they have no choice but to report it the company.

You can sue the other driver for your expenses. But the likelihood is they don't have money (otherwise they would have had insurance) and while you should win, it will be difficult to collect.