Should I Claim through My Car Insurer or The at Fault Party's Insurer?

devpress on 10/02/2025 - 15:28
Last edited 10/02/2025 - 16:22

Hi all - seeking the collective wisdom of Ozauto / Ozinsurance…

On the weekend I was rear ended by another car. The at fault party has 3rd party insurance, and I have comprehensive.

Am I better off getting the at fault party to claim through their insurance, or should I be claiming through mine?

On the latter I'm wary that it will go onto my claim history (even though I am not at fault).

What do people think?

EDIT: Just to add a bit more details:
- The at fault party has 3rd party property damage insurance
- Quoted repair cost 3-4k
- Damage is "relatively" minor, so definitely not a write-off

Poll Options

  • 52
    Claim through my insurer
  • 6
    Claim through at fault party's insurer
Automotive Car Insurance Insurance

Comments

  • kekw on 10/02/2025 - 15:33

    it does not matter…

  • bargaino on 10/02/2025 - 15:35

    Write-off?
    Look at real replacement cost. If it is more than agreed value, it may be worth claiming on the other guy. Be prepared to argue.

    • devpress on 10/02/2025 - 16:22

      Not a write-off, repairer quoted 3-4k repair

  • Caped Baldy on 10/02/2025 - 15:41
    +9

    Go through your insurer. It's what your insurer is there for. It'll be a PITA to go through the other party too.

    • devpress on 10/02/2025 - 16:28
      -2

      Yes I realise that, but the only thing that gives me pause is that it will impact future premiums as insurers consider if I have lodged a claim within the last 3 years (regardless of whether I'm at fault or not)

      • Caped Baldy on 10/02/2025 - 17:58
        +1

        Not at fault collision.

      • pjetson on 10/02/2025 - 19:21
        +1

        You have to tell your insurer that you've had the accident anyway. It's in your PDS.

  • Benoffie on 10/02/2025 - 15:51
    +3

    You always claim through yours. It's up to them to do the legwork and get the money from the other parties

  • Euphemistic on 10/02/2025 - 15:54
    +1

    Through theirs will be more work for you. You pay for insurance , you might as well use your own.

    However, it also depends on repairs required. I recently got rear ended. Used the other party's insurance and was able to replace the rear aftermarket bar, DIY install, sell the old one with minor damage and come out several hundred dollars ahead, but did cost a bit of stuffing around getting assessed and then actually doing the install.

    If you can collect near the full repair price, but DIY repair you can profit from the other party's insurance. If theres no way you can repair yourself (or cheap) use your own insurance.

    • devpress on 10/02/2025 - 16:27

      Won't be able to DIY fix on this vehicle (wouldn't be able to source the replacement part, for a start)

      • Euphemistic on 10/02/2025 - 16:37
        +1

        Use your own insurance.

  • djkelly69 on 10/02/2025 - 16:03

    The at fault party has 3rd party insurance

    Do you mean compulsory third party or third party property?

    • devpress on 10/02/2025 - 16:22

      Sorry I meant 3rd party property damage

  • apsilon on 10/02/2025 - 16:11
    +3

    You can't claim on their insurance nor can you force them to lodge a claim.

    • devpress on 10/02/2025 - 16:24
      +1

      Yes that's correct, hence why in the OP I said either I claim through mine, or the at fault party claim through theirs (though yes they would need to agree to do that)

    • Euphemistic on 10/02/2025 - 16:39

      While you cant instigate a claim on their insurance, you can get damages paid from their insurer once the claim is initiated. Its more work for you, but you are still entitled to resitution.

      • devpress on 10/02/2025 - 17:37

        That's right. In my case, I have comprehensive cover, so if I needed to get restitution as you say I could just send my insurer to get that

  • Guybrush57 on 10/02/2025 - 16:22
    +1

    I read someone on here has insurance but gors through the other party's insurance when not at fault so that his premiums don't increase because he doesn't tick the box "have you lodged a claim regardless if at fault?"

    • devpress on 10/02/2025 - 16:26

      That was my concern; I did a few dummy car insurance quotes and they ask:
      "In the last 3 years has the main driver had any car related claims"

      I'm interpreting that as if whether I have lodged a claim or not

      • Xyzzy on 10/02/2025 - 16:34

        If the other driver puts in a claim to pay for the damage he did to your car, I would expect you can legitimately claim you have not had any car related claims.
        The other driver has.

        Any insurance company employees on here to confirm or deny?

      • doodlejones on 10/02/2025 - 17:12
        +1

        You're forgetting the follow up question about, "Were you at fault?" - that should be the determining factor

        • devpress on 10/02/2025 - 17:36

          The quotes that I tried did not ask about fault, only whether you were involved in car related claim

  • Bruceflix on 10/02/2025 - 22:29

    Go through theirs unless they are being difficult. The advantage of going through theirs is you don't have to report that claim on future insurance quotes.

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 10/02/2025 - 23:28

    As being not at fault, use your insurer. Other party is only ctp, and i assume not comprehensive.
    Do not pay an excess, as you are not at fault.
    Have photos, as well as details of accident, dashcam footage, witnesses etc.

    • BewareOfThe Dog on 10/02/2025 - 23:30

      Otherwise, get quote for repair from 2 companies. Orher party may pay for cheapest quote, but make sure they agree to it in writing.

    • Euphemistic on 11/02/2025 - 07:20

      Other party seems to be TPP, not CTP.

      Spelling it out fkr those that dont understand the difference:

      CTP is compulsory third party and covers injuries to people only. Also known as green slip in NSW. The insurance you must have to get registered. Some states include this in the rego fee amd have other names for it.

      TPP is 3rd party property and covers damages caused to other people's property. You have to lurchase the policy separately to registration.

      Important difference in case anyone following along thinks CTP covers damages of stuff they crash into.

  • Jono05 on 11/02/2025 - 13:02

    OP has been a member since 2011 and still asking this question. What if the at fault driver doesn’t lodge a claim? You must have a lot of free time to go chasing the other party. Just claim through your own insurance and let them deal with it and you’ll also be able to get a hire car, which the other insurance probably won’t give you.

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