There are only so many insurance companies out there, which means that when you get into an accident, there is always a probability that the other drive who was involved in the accident may have the same insurance company as you. You need to be careful when filing a claim when you and the other drive both have the same insurance company.

#1 Collect The Other Driver's Information

You still need to collect the other driver's contact information after you find out that you have the same insurance company. There is a high probability that another person may have the same or similar name as the the driver who hit you, so it is not enough to just get their name and insurance company name.

You need to get the other driver's full name, driver's license number and telephone number. You should also get their insurance policy number, vehicle identification number and license plate information. Getting all of this information will help ensure that your insurance company is able to correctly find the other driver in their database when you call in.

#2 Pay Attention At The Scene Of The Accident

At the scene of the accident, you need to make sure that you pay attention to everything, just like you would at a regular accident. You should take pictures of your vehicle and the other vehicle at the crime scene. Try to get contract information for any other witnesses. Write down what you recall about what happened as soon as possible. Your insurance company is still going to investigate the accident and figure out who is responsible. Whomever the insurance company determines is responsible will be the policy that is responsible for paying the damages associated with the accident. That person's insurance premium will be increased because they were deemed responsible for the accident.

#3 Double Check How The Claim Is Filed

Finally, when you make your claim and call your insurance company, you need to be extra vigilant in making sure that the claim is filed correctly. In a normal situation when the other driver has a different insurance company, they will get in contact with the other driver's insurance company and then file a claim with them against their policy. This same process needs to take place when the other driver has the same insurance.

Double check and make sure that the claim you are making is going against the other driver's policy and not against yours. If the other driver is deemed responsible for the accident, you should not have to pay a deductible to get your vehicle repaired and your insurance premium should not increase. If this is filed incorrectly, it could have long-term repercussions for you.

For assistance with filing an insurance claim when the other driver has the same insurance, it is best to reach out to a car accident attorney (like those at Monohan & Blankenship) who can help make sure that your case is handled correctly.