Is that normal practice in the states? That really sucks if it is.
Over here (at least with my insurer NRMA - albeit the biggest national one) when I got hit I only had to deal with my insurer who was on my side.
I sent in my claim with the faulty party's info + pictures and they booked me in to their assessment centre. Repairs booked in. I never saw, heard from or needed to deal with the other party or their insurance at all. The burden of all that was with my insurer to get money out of HER insurer.
Fun fact, she also claimed "I didn't see you" as she came out of a junction and hit me side ways
Here's a pic as it seems we're sharing battle scars in this thread