How to Claim Insurance When You Are Fully at Fault in a Rear-End Collision?
3 Answers
When you are fully at fault in a rear-end collision, you should immediately contact your insurance company. In this case, the insurance company will cover the compensation. The claim process for a rear-end collision involving reporting to the police and on-site inspection: If the traffic accident is minor, first report to the police, then notify the insurance company for compensation, or you can directly notify the insurance company for compensation first. If the on-site collision evidence shows no issues, the insurance company can independently determine liability, and the traffic police do not need to handle it on-site. Additionally, the insurance company's on-site investigation staff will analyze and determine the insurance coverage and collect information such as driver's licenses and ID cards. Points to note when handling the issue: For minor traffic accidents involving only external damage, the insurance company's damage assessor can also evaluate the damage on-site and, if it involves three types of damage, make compensation payments on the spot; for more significant traffic accidents, it is necessary to go to an auto repair shop for disassembly to assess the damage and determine replacement items and labor hours; furthermore, the damage assessor must report to higher authorities to verify the reasonableness of the damage costs.
I was stunned when I rear-ended someone, but later realized that handling it through insurance is quite straightforward if you're fully at fault. First, stay calm, don't panic, and move the car to a safe spot to avoid secondary accidents. Exchanging information is key—I took photos of the other party's license plate, driver's license, and insurance policy, and also left my contact details. Then immediately call the insurance company to report the accident, explaining the situation and admitting full responsibility. Next, they'll send an adjuster to contact me, possibly requiring a police report or scene photos. Throughout the process, cooperate with the insurer to coordinate repair costs and compensation, and remember to track progress to avoid delays. The biggest headache is the premium increase—mine went up 20% the following year because of this—but timely handling can mitigate penalties. For beginners, I recommend saving the insurance app on your phone in advance for one-click reporting during accidents—it saves a lot of hassle.
Having driven for over a decade, I've been fully at fault in a few rear-end collisions and am quite familiar with the insurance claim process. When an accident occurs, immediately stop the car safely, turn on hazard lights, and prioritize securing the scene. Then, step out to communicate with the other party—apologize politely without argument, exchange insurance details, and photograph the damage. I directly call the insurance hotline, admit full responsibility while describing details, and they guide me through filing a claim either via form or online submission. Once the claims adjuster takes over, everything becomes straightforward—they coordinate with repair shops for assessments, and I just wait for notifications to sign documents. While premium increases are inevitable, I've found that purchasing a small third-party liability policy helps cushion compensation costs. The lesson? Maintain safe following distances, avoid sudden braking, and regularly inspect brake systems to prevent accidents.
