Auto Insurance Accident – Do You Have To Get Name and Address?

Reader’s Question:

When an accident occurs and you don’t receive proof of car insurance, name, or address from the other motorist who hit you and they file a claim against you, can you turn them in for failing to show you with proof of their car insurance? I live in Houston.

Bill

Houston, TX

If a law enforcement officer was not contacted or did not respond then there is really no recourse you have to obtain this information.

All accidents should be reported to your insurance carrier in Houston even if the police are not called. In this manner, they have a record of your side of the accident. This also protects you from incidents such as the one you mention wherein the information later changes and they file a claim against you. You should contact your insurance carrier, if you have not yet, and tell them what happened. At this point, it will be up to a claims adjuster to decide whether or not an insurance claim can be made against your auto insurance policy. The same would also apply to the other party’s insurance company.

Auto Insurance Rates In Houston – How Much Will It Cost?

Reader’s Question:

How much does your auto insurance rate rise in Houston if you are at fault in an accident and the other driver claims injuries?

Sam

Houston, TX

There is no specific amount your auto insurance in Houston may increase but generally you might expect a 10% to 15% increase in your auto insurance rate premiums. Insurance providers are required to file their car insurance rates and rules with state regulatory bodies such as the Department of Insurance. In most situations, they impose a surcharge or charge ‘points’ to motorists who have been charged with an accident and/or who have made an insurance claim against their car insurance policy. So, there is no standard law that dictates that an insurance carrier can increase your car insurance rate premiums due to an accident. It’s just a matter of how the car insurance rates are filed and passed on to you as a result of an accident.