Does it matter if I have full coverage vs. liability-only?

For not-at-fault accidents where the other driver's carrier accepts liability, full vs. liability-only doesn't matter much — the at-fault carrier pays regardless. Full coverage matters when you're at fault, when the other driver is uninsured, or when you file under your own policy. UMPD and UIM are the specific coverages that help most in the uninsured-driver scenario.

Can I go through my own insurance even if the other driver was at fault?

Yes. Filing through your own collision is faster in some cases and useful if liability is disputed. Your insurer pays the shop, you pay your deductible, and your insurer subrogates against the at-fault carrier to recover everything including your deductible. The downside: the subrogation refund takes 60-180 days, and your CLUE report shows the claim (though your premium shouldn't go up for a not-at-fault loss).

What if the other driver gives me false insurance info at the scene?

Call the police if you can — the responding officer will verify insurance and include it in the report. If you only discover the false info later, file under your own UMPD or collision coverage and let your insurer pursue the at-fault driver. The at-fault driver providing false insurance information is a criminal offense in Arizona under ARS §28-4009 et seq.

Do I have to get multiple estimates?

No. Arizona insurance law does not require multiple estimates. You may get multiple estimates if you want to compare, but one licensed shop's written estimate is sufficient to start the claim. The at-fault carrier or your own insurer may want to inspect the vehicle, but they cannot require a specific shop. See: full post-accident checklist and shop-choice rights under ARS §20-468 .

Who Pays When Someone Hits My Car in Arizona?

Who Pays for Repairs When Someone Else Hits My Car in Arizona?

When another driver hits your car in Arizona, their liability insurance owes you the full repair cost, a rental car, and any diminished value — with no deductible from you. If they're uninsured, your own Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) coverage steps in. If fault is disputed, your own collision coverage lets you get the repair started immediately while the carriers work out liability.

Scenario 1: The other driver has insurance and accepts fault. This is the cleanest path. You file a third-party claim directly with their liability carrier. They assign an adjuster, inspect the vehicle (or let the shop write the estimate), and pay for the full repair plus a rental car while yours is being fixed. No deductible comes out of your pocket. You also have the right to claim inherent diminished value — the resale-value loss caused by the accident's presence on your vehicle's Carfax record — under Oliver v. Henry, 227 Ariz. 514 (Ct. App. 2011). Most adjusters don't volunteer DV — you have to ask, and it helps to have documentation. Orlando Auto Body provides a free DV Appraisal Packet on every not-at-fault repair.

Scenario 2: The other driver is uninsured. About 10.6% of Arizona drivers are uninsured per the 2023 Insurance Research Council report (via III). If you carry Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) on your own policy, it pays for your repair with no deductible — effectively putting you in the same position as if the other driver had insurance. If you don't carry UMPD, you're left with your collision coverage (with your deductible) or small claims court against the at-fault driver. UMPD is usually inexpensive to add — ask your agent if you don't carry it.

Scenario 3: Fault is disputed. If the other driver disputes fault, or their carrier is delaying acceptance of liability, you don't have to wait. File under your own collision coverage to get the repair started. Your insurer pays your shop, and you pay your deductible upfront. Your insurer then subrogates — pursues the at-fault carrier to recover the full amount, including your deductible. Subrogation refund typically arrives 60-180 days later. This path costs you the deductible temporarily but gets your car repaired now.

Scenario 4: The other driver is underinsured. If the at-fault driver's coverage limit is lower than your repair cost (e.g., they carry minimum 15/30/15 under ARS §28-4009 but your repair is $18,000), their policy pays up to their limit, and your own Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage fills the gap. Like UMPD, UIM is an optional add-on but highly recommended in Arizona given the number of minimum-coverage drivers. See AZ DIFI's minimum-coverage guide for full detail on how the coverages interact.

What the at-fault carrier owes you — the full list. Repair of your vehicle to pre-loss condition using OEM-procedure repair. Rental car for the duration of the repair (or the reasonable repair period if you decline the rental). Diminished value — the market-value loss caused by the accident history on the vehicle's record, recoverable under Oliver v. Henry without selling the vehicle. Medical bills and lost wages if anyone in your vehicle was injured. Towing costs from the accident scene to the repair facility.

Your right to choose your shop — ARS §20-468. Regardless of which scenario applies, Arizona law (ARS §20-468) protects your right to choose any licensed repair facility. The insurer — whether the at-fault carrier or your own — can recommend a shop, but cannot require it. Cannot deny your claim because you chose a non-recommended shop. Cannot reduce payment to penalize your shop choice (as long as rates are within market range). Orlando Auto Body works with every major Arizona carrier: State Farm, GEICO, Progressive, Allstate, Farmers, USAA, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, AAA/CSAA, AmFam, Travelers, Root, Mercury, National General, Kemper, and all others. Call Mesa at (480) 844-4858, Scottsdale at (480) 590-3135, or Gilbert at (480) 656-9202.

Bring Your Claim Number — We Handle the Rest

Free appointments. All insurance accepted. Family-owned since 1989. Three Valley locations.

Mesa

1007 S Center St

(480) 844-4858

Scottsdale

3005 N 71st St

(480) 590-3135

Gilbert

3055 E Williams Field Rd

(480) 656-9202