Can Someone Make a Claim on Your Car Insurance Without you Knowing?

Having a claim made by someone on your car insurance without you knowing is fairly rare, but it can happen if you were at fault in a hit-and-run.
Written by Cameron Thiessen
Reviewed by Amy Bobinger
In rare circumstances, someone could file a third-party claim with your car insurance company without you knowing about it. However, this would only happen if you were at fault in a hit-and-run.
Usually, after a car accident, drivers who incurred financial damages as a result of that accident will file a claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. Any time this happens, the insurance company must notify the insured driver that someone has made a claim against their car insurance.
Of course, under normal circumstances, you should expect to hear from your insurance company, but if you were found at fault for a hit-and-run, that claim will be initially made without your knowledge. But you’ll still find out about it soon, because your insurance company is responsible for notifying you of any claims against your coverage.

Can someone make a claim on your car insurance without you knowing?

Technically, yes, but it’s highly unlikely. The primary way this happens is if it turns out that you were at fault in a hit-and-run. There are plenty of ways for people to track down your insurance information if they see you leave the scene of an accident that you were involved in, and it’s unlikely that there will be no witnesses.
If they file a police report, all they need to identify you is your license plate number. The police can search for cameras near the scene of the accident to retrieve footage of the hit-and-run, and they might be able to find your insurance details if they can see your plates. If they find what they need, they can make a claim against your liability insurance.
All that being said, it’s unlikely that you will ever have anyone make a claim against your insurance just out of the blue. Making a false car insurance claim is considered to be insurance fraud, so you should only ever expect a claim against you after you’ve been in an accident. Even if someone does successfully make a claim against your insurance without you knowing about it, it’s your insurance provider’s responsibility to notify you of the claim, so you’ll know soon enough.
RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Find insurance savings

What is a third-party claim?

A third-party auto insurance claim is a claim that is not filed by the policyholder but by someone who is owed damages from the policyholder. Basically, if someone hits you and it’s their fault, they owe you compensation for the damages they caused. Liability insurance is the coverage that kicks in to pay for those damages. In most states, you’re required to file your claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, and the insurer handles the reimbursement for your damages.
Third-party claims can be made for property damage, vehicle damage, lost wages, bodily injury including hospital and medical bills, and even rental cars given to you while your vehicle is being repaired. However, since liability insurance usually has coverage limits, it’s possible that you might be owed more than what the other party’s insurance covers. In cases where there are still significant damages owed even after the car insurance coverage payout, at-fault drivers may be taken to court and sued for the remainder.

No-fault states

In
no-fault states
, the claims process is a bit different. In a state that has no-fault insurance laws, both drivers file claims with their own insurance providers, regardless of fault, and the two insurance companies are meant to work together to address the claims.
If you live in
Florida
, Hawaii,
Kansas
,
Kentucky
,
Massachusetts
,
Michigan
,
Minnesota
,
New Jersey
,
New York
,
North Dakota
,
Pennsylvania
, or
Utah
, you will never have to make a third-party car insurance claim. On the other hand, drivers in states such as
California
and
Texas
will file auto insurance claims through the at-fault driver’s liability insurance provider.
MORE: Hit and run insurance claims: Everything you need to know
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
icon4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars
icon4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers

What happens after someone makes a claim on your car insurance policy?

If the involved insurance companies’ adjusters determine you were at fault in an accident, the driver(s) that incurred the damages you caused can make a claim against your insurance. When someone makes a claim against your car insurance policy, your insurance company works to arrange a compensation payout for them.
This compensation will not exceed the limits agreed to you in your liability insurance policy, and it is likely that your insurance rates will increase after an at-fault accident. In the most extreme cases, getting in a bad at-fault accident could result in further consequences, such as the suspension or loss of your driver’s license or car registration. This could be especially true if the victim has incurred serious medical expenses.

How to dispute an insurance claim against you

If someone has made a third-party claim against your insurance, but you believe you were not at fault, make sure that you have also filed a personal injury claim with their insurance on your own behalf.
Following that, things get more complicated. The first step to disputing a car insurance company’s fault claims is to contact them—chances are, your call is being recorded, so let the record show that you intend to dispute the fault. Usually, if you make it formally known that you intend to dispute the insurance claim, it will at the very least prompt further investigation into the case.
Documentation is key. If you have any sources of evidence to prove that you were not at fault, collect them. You should also have a concisely written summary of the event as you remember it to present when prompted. In some cases, depending on the scope of the claim, it may be necessary to hire an experienced accident lawyer to help with the dispute.
An insurance claim dispute is likely to be a frustrating process—you may have to file multiple complaints and statements. You may even end up needing to contact your state’s department of insurance if the insurance company still refuses to adjust its decision.
MORE: The 5 main reasons a car accident insurance claim is denied
"Just for state minimum liability, I was getting quotes from $70 to over $100/month until I found
Jerry
. Now my car insurance is under $30/month, or $140 for 6 months. Thank you, Jerry!” —Frank S.
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
Find insurance savings

FAQs

Technically, anyone can attempt to make a claim on your insurance without you knowing, as long as they have identifying information. But this shouldn’t usually happen, and if the claim is false, they could be on the hook for insurance fraud.
The only time you should expect someone to make a legitimate claim on your car insurance without you knowing is if you were at fault in a hit-and-run. Even in this case, you would be notified promptly by your insurance provider if there was a third-party claim made against your insurance.
Yes, your insurance company or insurance agent is responsible for letting you know if someone files an insurance claim against you.
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
Try Jerry

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings