How to file a third-party claim
What is a third-party insurance claim?
A third-party insurance claim is a claim you file with someone else’s insurance company—rather than filing with your own insurance company—when you believe you’re entitled to compensation following an accident. You can file a third-party claim for injuries, property damage, medical bills, and potentially other expenses.
Need to file a claim?
Our in-house claims team will work with you to help resolve your claim quickly and fairly.
How do third-party insurance claims work?
How to file an insurance claim against another driver
Each situation is unique, but the third-party claim process generally looks like this:
Reach out to the other driver’s insurance provider. File a claim—explain what happened in the accident and provide necessary information.
Contact your own insurance provider. Let them know what happened; in many cases, the two insurance companies will work together to determine fault and resolve the claim.
Provide additional information when asked. You may be contacted throughout the process to provide more information or confirm details of the incident.
If it’s determined the other driver was partially or fully liable, you may receive payment—dependent on the circumstances of the accident, the state it occurred, and other factors.
What information do you need for a third-party claim?
The more details you can provide about the incident, the better. After you've checked on everyone involved and called for emergency medical attention if needed, gather the following information:
The other driver’s name and phone number
Date and location of incident
Their auto insurance provider and policy number—you’ll find this on their insurance card
Photos of the accident scene and damage to vehicles
Names and contact information of witnesses
If the police came to the scene, there will be a police report of the accident. Be sure to mention this when reporting your claim, so the claim representative can collect vital information from it.
Who determines fault in a third-party liability claim?
The claims representative assigned to your claim will review the facts of the case, including statements from drivers and witnesses, police reports, photos, and other evidence.
Depending on the state the incident occurred, fault may be split amongst multiple parties. For instance, in an at-fault state, the driver who’s determined to have caused the accident—or their insurance company—is responsible for covering all damages. In no-fault states, each party’s insurance company pays for their insured’s covered expenses.
Can I provide more information about the accident after I file the claim?
Yes—you can provide additional photos, witness statements, and other information throughout the duration of the claim process. But the sooner you can provide these details, the more efficiently the process will play out.
How to file a third-party insurance commercial auto claim against a Sentry customer
If you were involved in an accident with someone driving on behalf of a company insured by Sentry, we’ll work with you and your insurance provider to resolve the claim efficiently—and fairly.
Reach out to us as soon as you can following the accident. Visit our Claims page and click Report as guest >. Or, if you’d prefer to speak to one of our knowledgeable claims representatives, call us at 800-473-6879.
Need to file a third-party claim with Dairyland® insurance?
Through Dairyland—a brand of the Sentry Insurance Group—we provide personal auto, motorcycle, and off-road insurance.
Related resources or services
What’s the difference between first-party and third-party claims?
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How long after a commercial vehicle accident can you file a claim?
Time limits can vary depending on certain circumstances. Explore best practices for when to file a claim.
What to do if you're in an accident with a truck
If you're involved in an accident with a truck or other commercial vehicle, responding appropriately can help keep the involved parties safe—and also help expedite the claims.