What to Do When You Have to File Claims with Multiple Insurers

A car accident is rarely a simple, one-on-one event. There are often multiple drivers, passengers, and a complex web of different insurance policies that come into play. You might have to deal with your own auto insurer, the at-fault driver’s insurer, and even your health insurance company. If you were driving a company car or were hit by an underinsured driver, even more policies can get involved.

Trying to coordinate and manage claims with multiple insurance companies is one of the most confusing and overwhelming parts of the post-accident process. Each company has its own adjuster, its own claim number, and its own set of interests—which is to pay out as little as possible.

Understanding the “order of operations”—which insurer to file with and when—is crucial. Knowing the role each company plays can help you stay organized and ensure you are accessing all the benefits you are entitled to.

Useful Information for You: In a Nutshell

• It’s a Common Scenario: Most injury accidents will involve filing claims with at least two insurers: your own and the at-fault party’s.
• Understand “Primary” vs. “Secondary” Coverage: Some policies must pay first (primary), while others only kick in after the primary coverage is exhausted (secondary).
• Your PIP is Almost Always Primary for Medical Bills: In Washington, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is your first stop for immediate medical expenses, regardless of fault.
• Claims are Filed Simultaneously: You don’t wait for one claim to close before opening another. You will often have multiple claims open at the same time, all relating to the same accident.
• A Lawyer is Essential for Coordination: The single best way to manage multiple claims is to have an attorney act as the central point of communication, coordinating all the different adjusters and policies.

Common Scenario #1: The Standard Two-Car Accident

This is the most frequent situation. The other driver is at fault and has insurance.

• Claim #1: Your Own PIP Claim: You will immediately open a PIP claim with your own auto insurer to get your initial medical bills and lost wages paid right away.
• Claim #2: Your Own Collision Claim (Optional): If you want to get your car repaired quickly, you can file a claim under your own collision coverage and pay your deductible.
• Claim #3: The Third-Party Liability Claim: This is your main personal injury and property damage claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This is the claim that will ultimately pay for all your damages, and from which your own insurer will be reimbursed for what they paid out under PIP and collision (a process called subrogation).

Common Scenario #2: The Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Accident

The at-fault driver’s insurance is not enough to cover your serious injuries.

• Claim #1: Your Own PIP Claim: This still pays first for immediate medical needs.
• Claim #2: The Third-Party Liability Claim: You will first make a claim and recover the full policy limit from the at-fault driver’s insurer.
• Claim #3: Your Own Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Claim: After you have settled the claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer, you will then formally open a UIM claim with your own insurance company to recover the remaining damages, up to your UIM policy limit.

Common Scenario #3: The Multi-Car Pile-Up

This is the most complex scenario, where you might have been hit by more than one car.

• Claim #1: Your Own PIP Claim: As always, this is your first resource for medical bills.
• Multiple Third-Party Liability Claims: You will need to file a separate liability claim against every single driver who was partially at fault for the crash. Your attorney will work with the police report and accident reconstruction experts to determine which drivers and their insurance policies should be targeted.

Tips for Managing Multiple Claims

• Get a Notebook: Create a separate section for each claim number. Keep a detailed log of every phone call and email for each specific claim.
• Create a Digital Folder: On your computer, create a main folder for the accident, with sub-folders for each claim, to store photos, documents, and email correspondence.
• Don’t Assume They are Talking to Each Other: Never assume that one insurance adjuster has shared information with another. You must provide the necessary documentation to each company individually.

The process of coordinating multiple insurance claims is a significant administrative burden that can be filled with legal traps. This is one of the key areas where a lawyer’s expertise becomes invaluable. If you’ve been in a car accident in the Tacoma area involving multiple parties or insurance policies, search the Car Accident Lawyer Directory Tacoma. Compare profiles and find a trusted local attorney who can take over the complex task of managing all communications and claims for you.

References

• Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) – Coordination of benefits (COB):A guide explaining the general principle of how different insurance policies (like auto and health) coordinate to pay claims in the correct order.

  https://www.insurance.wa.gov/coordination-benefits-cob-and-how-it-works

• Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) – What to do if you have an accident:Official guidance that outlines the different types of claims (PIP, Liability, UIM) that can arise from a single accident.

  https://www.insurance.wa.gov/what-do-if-you-have-accident-and-need-file-claim