Yeah, I usually leave out the part that I was just kicked out of the bar for being way too drunk and headed to the saloon across town. But seriously, if you are making a claim that you want paid, you are going to need to answer their questions. All insurance policies carry what is know as a cooperation clause. The policyholder is legally compelled to provide information about events and actions taken before, during and after the covered incident.
You absolutely do not have to answer these questions. Where you have been and where you are going is your business, and nobody else's. The fact that you were driving on a certain road in a certain direction and time is germaine to the accident. The fact that you were at Aunt Sally's and headed to a movie theater across town are not. If the cop suspects you are an impaired driver, he/she will do the field sobriety tests and come to a determination. If you were in an accident, and the cop asked you where you worked, how much you were paid, your favorite color pants, etc - would you answer? Legally, by what statute? And even if required by statute, this can only be for those actions directly related to the accident. "I was passing through this intersection headed north and this guy crashed into the left side of my car". Not, "I went to bed at 10 pm last night, got up at 7 am, ate a hearty breakfast, had tacos for lunch, etc..."
You are correct. You don't have to answer any of the insurance company's questions. But if you don't cooperate with them by answering their questions, they can deny your claim. So, if you don't want your claim paid, then you absolutely do not have to answer their questions. Contractually obligated if you want to receive payment. Google "cooperation clause." Every insurance policy has one. As a condition to coverage, the insured must cooperate with the insurer. The provision requires the insured to assist with and participate in the investigation of the claim. Because the provision is a condition to coverage, an insured’s failure to comply with the cooperation clause can give insurers a basis to deny coverage. Anything that assists the insurance company with investigation of the claim would be covered. So, "I went to bed at 10 pm last night, got up at 7 am" would be relevant to whether the driver was well-rested or possibly contributed to the accident ("I hadn't slept in four days because I was on a crack binge"). When the insurance company pays out, they take the claim in subrogation. They need all the facts surrounding the accident to determine whether to sue the other motorist (assuming an at-fault state).
That’s a different party than the police. I read the post as the police asking the questions. The police do not have any contractual agreement with me, and they get nothing more than the facts of the actual accident. If the insurance company has detailed inquiries, then I’ll refer to my policy terms and reply accordingly.
100% agree. It is almost always best to exercise your Miranda right to remain silent when it comes to the police. We are definitely on the same page. I read the post as talking about inquires from the insurance company.
It’s taken you almost 10 to do the same? How many miles does the garage queen have on her now? I bet the slow mileage build continues .
I just cracked 8500 miles on our new Prime after 4 months. 153 mpg so far. You’re Prime for an upgrade . You can even have the shrine wheels transfer to a Prime.