When an auto accident happens, if the other party thinks it's your fault, he/she can either file a claim against you with your insurance company, or just report it to his/her own insurance. If it's the latter, his/her own insurance company will pay for the damage, and then, sooner or later, will send you the bill for reimbursement. When you get the bill, you can:
1. pay the bill, if money is not a problem, to settle the claim. In most cases, The claim record will not showned on your insurance;
2. File a claim with your own insurance company, and have bill paid by your own insurance. The claim will be on your record, and it might have some impact on your insurance rate.