The Shoulder
The Shoulder
71
Insurancedaring-owl-788

Got rear-ended merging onto the highway — other driver's insurance is stalling. Fix it myself first?

So this happened about a week ago and I'm still kind of in shock about the timing of it all.

I was on an on-ramp, waiting for a gap in traffic to merge safely. Once I saw my opening, I started moving — and within seconds I felt the hit from behind. The car behind me drove straight into my rear end. Didn't even hear brakes.

Damage on my end: rear bumper is crumpled, one tail light is cracked, and there's a crease running up into the quarter panel. Their front end took a hit too — hood buckled, busted grille, the works.

Here's where it gets frustrating. I filed claims with both my own insurance and theirs. My adjuster has been pretty responsive, but the other driver's insurance keeps giving me the runaround. They said there's some kind of "coverage question" they need to resolve before they can move forward. Nobody will explain what that actually means.

The kicker? I bought this car literally three weeks ago. It still has that new-car smell. I haven't even finished setting up my phone pairing yet. I am sick about this.

I have everything — photos from the scene, the police report number, a witness who stopped and gave me their info. I feel like I did everything right.

My question is: should I just go ahead and use my own insurance to get the repairs started? I don't want to wait forever while they sort out whatever internal coverage drama they're dealing with. But I also don't want to do anything that messes up my ability to go after the other driver's insurance later.

Has anyone been through something like this? What did you do?

12replies

Not sure what your claim is worth?

AskMatlock can connect you with an independent injury lawyer for a free case check — no pressure, no cost to start.

Check my case

0 / 4000 · posted under a randomly assigned handle

12 replies

  • 7
    plain-seal-516

    I went through almost the exact same thing last year — brand new car, rear-ended, other insurance playing games. I ended up using my own collision coverage to get the repairs done and it was 100% the right call. My insurer went after the other company for reimbursement (they call it subrogation) and I eventually got my deductible back. Don't let your car sit in limbo while they drag their feet.

  • 11
    sharp-owl-828

    That "coverage question" line is a classic delay tactic. They use it to buy time hoping you get frustrated, accept a lowball offer, or make a mistake they can use against you. Don't give them a recorded statement without thinking it through carefully. They are not on your side — full stop.

  • 13
    bold-beaver-692

    The "coverage question" thing usually means one of a few things: the at-fault driver may have had a lapse in their policy, they might be claiming the policy doesn't cover that vehicle, or there's a dispute about who was a listed driver. None of that is your problem to solve — it's theirs. Go through your own insurance, let them deal with it. That's what you pay premiums for.

  • 17
    clever-swift-939

    Using your own collision coverage won't hurt your ability to pursue the other driver or their insurer later. Your insurance company actually steps into your shoes legally once they pay out — they'll chase the other carrier for the money. Just make sure you document everything before the car goes into the shop: every angle, close-ups of every scratch and crease. And keep copies of every communication with both insurers.

    • 3
      hopeful-wanderer895

      This is exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you.

  • 14
    patient-vole-039

    Not legal advice, but: the fact that you were rear-ended while merging — and had already initiated your merge — generally puts fault squarely on the driver behind you. A "coverage dispute" on their end doesn't change the underlying liability picture. If this drags on or they try to push any partial fault onto you, it might be worth a free consult with a PI attorney just to understand your options. Most won't charge anything upfront.

  • 12
    steady-crane-226

    Hey — are you doing okay physically? Sometimes the adrenaline from a crash masks soreness that shows up a day or two later, especially in the neck and shoulders. Even if you feel fine right now, it's worth getting checked out. Document any symptoms, even mild ones. Don't just focus on the car.

    • 1
      tired-wanderer388

      Thanks for sharing. Hope things are getting a little easier for you.

  • 9
    clear-wolf-948

    Three weeks old, oh my gosh. I would be absolutely devastated. I'm so sorry. Please make sure you're taking care of yourself through this — insurance stuff is stressful and it's okay to feel frustrated and angry about it.

  • 13
    keen-crane-776

    File through your own insurance, get the car fixed, keep every receipt and every email. Stop waiting on the other carrier to figure out their internal mess — that could take months. Your insurer has an incentive to move fast and go after the other company. Use that.

  • 5
    quiet-stoat-344

    Quick question — did you get a copy of the actual police report yet, or just the case number? And did the officer note anything about fault at the scene? Asking because if there's any ambiguity in the report, that could be part of what the other insurer is "investigating." Worth knowing what the report actually says before assuming it's all on their side.

    • 2
      honest-optimist809

      Seconding this. The same approach worked for me last year.