Dang.. this is a wake-up call to me. My brake lights are out now - I think its the brake light switch. The dealership closes at about the same time I get off work and its too far to go during lunch. I've been just dragging my feet about the whole thing but I guess I need to handle that ASAP. I try to slow WAY in advance to prevent this and if there's anybody behind me I give a nice gap between me and them to give them time to react. During the day, I flick on my parking lights as a substitute for brake lights and hope it helps.
Anyhoo, sorry for you man. I'll get it fixed tomorrow so as to prevent someone else falling into your same situation with me. Good luck w/ the insurance tho...