How To Report an Accident to Insurance

After being involved in a car accident, you will need to report the incident to your car insurance company. This often involves contacting your insurance for first-party claims or the at-fault party’s insurance for third-party claims.

Getting involved in a motor vehicle accident is stressful enough, but it’s worse when you have to go through the insurance claims process as well. You don’t have to navigate this complex process alone. An experienced car accident attorney can help protect your rights and aid you in communicating with insurance companies. This article provides helpful information on how to report an accident to insurance.

Which Insurance Company Do I File a Claim With?

The company you file with will depend on the type of insurance claim you file. There are two types of insurance claims:

• First-party insurance claims
• Third-party insurance claims

For first-party insurance claims, you need to report to your own insurance company. For third-party insurance claims, you need to report to the insurance company of the other driver who was at fault for the accident. In some instances, you may need to submit both a first-party insurance claim and a third-party insurance claim. An experienced attorney can help you with this process if you’re unsure of what to do.

When Should You File an Insurance Claim?

Not every accident requires an insurance claim. Knowing when to file a claim is important to ensure you do not forfeit your potential compensation. In general, state laws require you to file your insurance claim and report accidents with the DMV when:

• The property damage is beyond your state’s minimum reporting threshold. The threshold amount varies significantly by state. For example, in Washington, if a law enforcement officer does not investigate the collision, you must report damage that exceeds the $1,000 threshold. Illinois requires reporting if the damage exceeds $1,500. If an uninsured driver is involved in a car crash in Illinois, those involved must report it even if the damage only amounts to $500 or less.
• Any injuries occurred, regardless of severity. All states require drivers to report a car accident when an injury or death occurs.
• The other driver was uninsured or underinsured. If the other party involved does not have insurance or is underinsured, you should contact both your auto insurance company and the company of the other driver.
• There was disagreement about who was at fault. A police report can help resolve issues when questions about who is at fault arise.
• You’re unsure about the full extent of the damage

When in doubt, err on the side of caution and report an accident.

Reporting a Car Insurance Claim

You should contact the auto insurance company after the car crash as soon as you can. If you’re filing a first-party insurance claim, call the number on your insurance card or go online to report the accident. If you’re filing a third-party insurance claim, you should obtain insurance information from the other driver to contact their insurer.

Most states require you to report the accident within a certain period of time. In California, the state requires drivers to report to law enforcement officers within 10 days if the car accident resulted in injury, death, or property damage of at least $1,000. In New York, the state requires drivers to report to the DMV within 10 days if the accident resulted in injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more.

To learn more about specific requirements for reporting a car accident, we’ve gathered links to every state’s DMV website. You can also contact a car accident attorney who can give you tailored legal advice depending on your state law and the circumstances surrounding your accident.

The insurance company may ask for the following information:

• Full name and phone number of the insured driver
• Insurance policy number
• License plate number of all vehicles involved
• Date and time of the accident
• Weather conditions when the accident occurred
• General description of the accident

The insurance company will investigate your claim by arranging a car inspection and reviewing evidence. Most companies will schedule an appointment to get a vehicle damage estimate. Next, a claims adjuster will determine the amount to pay you for the damages you suffered.

Every insurance company has its own deadline for reporting an accident claim. Be sure to file within that time limit to avoid any negative consequences or penalties.

What To Say and Not To Say to Insurance Companies

Although you will need to disclose certain details of the accident and provide accurate information, you are not obligated to tell everything to the insurance company. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. They can use certain statements against you to reduce or deny your insurance claim. Understanding what to say and what not to say can protect your rights.

What Not to Say to Insurance Companies

The following are some of the things that you should avoid doing when reporting a car accident:

• Do not admit fault: Avoid saying it is your fault or accepting blame for the accident. Don’t express apologies even if you believe you caused the accident. The other party or parties may have a share in responsibility for what happened.
• Limit disclosure of injuries: Although it’s important to report any injuries, you should refrain from providing comprehensive details. Wait for a proper evaluation from a healthcare professional and avoid giving self-diagnostic statements.
• Be careful about giving recorded statements: Do not give any recorded or written reports to the insurance company until you are sure about what you’re submitting and what the effects of those statements are under state law. If you’re not sure, talk to a personal injury lawyer in your area before speaking to an insurance adjuster.
• Restrict answers to direct responses: When the insurance company asks you questions, answer only what is asked. Try not to embellish or take verbal shots at the other driver.
• Avoid premature settlement proposals: Often, the insurance company will attempt to issue a settlement check early on. Do not accept an early settlement offer unless you’re confident it’s the best offer you’ll receive. Once you accept the offer and sign a release, you cannot go back to obtain more compensation.

What To Say to Insurance Companies

Knowing what not to say is crucial to protecting your rights. However, it is also important to know what you should communicate to the insurance companies to protect your claim. The following are important to keep in mind:

• Stick to basic facts: Provide only factual and observable information about the accident. This may include the date, time, and location of the accident. You can also provide the direction each vehicle was traveling and what you observed before the impact. It’s also okay to give your insurance company information about the weather conditions at the time of the accident.
• Provide policy information: You should prepare your insurance policy details. This includes your insurance policy number, the people insured, your driver’s license number, and contact information.
• Cooperate with reasonable requests: You should cooperate with your insurance company on legitimate requests. This may include requesting a vehicle inspection or asking for access to relevant medical records related to your injury claims.

You have a duty to cooperate with an insurance investigation. Consider consulting a car accident attorney before providing detailed information to your insurer. They can help ensure your rights are protected throughout the process.

What To Expect Next

Once an insurance adjuster reviews your case, the insurance company will make a resolution. They will either deny your claim or accept your claim by issuing you a settlement check. Before settling your injury claim, it’s highly advisable to consult a personal injury lawyer to make sure you’re getting a fair deal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Reporting Accidents to Insurance

The following are some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to reporting a car accident to insurance companies.

Should I report an accident that wasn’t my fault to my insurance company?

Yes, you should absolutely report all car accidents to your insurance company, regardless of fault. Most auto insurance policies require you to report all accidents, whether major or minor, to the insurer. This applies even if you are not the party at fault. Insurance policies often contain notification requirements for incidents involving your vehicle.

How long will it take to resolve an insurance claim?

The duration for resolving insurance claims depends on multiple variables and can range from weeks to potentially years for complex cases. Elements influencing resolution timeframes include:

• The complexity of the car accident and the determination of who is at fault
• The severity of the injury and the duration of medical treatment
• The extent of personal damage or vehicle repairs
• The level of participation of the parties involved
• The availability of pieces of evidence and the cooperation of witnesses
• The workload of the insurance agent or insurance adjuster and their processing capabilities

State law often provides timeframes for insurers to acknowledge claims and provide responses. The periods vary per state or jurisdiction. Texas requires insurers to provide written acknowledgement to the claimant within 15 business days after receiving all the necessary items and forms. This period applies whether the insurer accepted or rejected the claim. In Florida, insurers should provide an acknowledgement receipt within seven calendar days. North Carolina requires insurers to provide notice or pay the claimant within 30 calendar days after receiving the claim.

Due to these varying rules, it’s a good idea to check your state’s laws. You can also consult with a car accident attorney to learn about the timeframe for when your insurer should resolve your claims.

Will my insurance policy cover the property damage from the accident?

It depends on the type of insurance coverage you have. If you have comprehensive or collision coverage, your insurance policy should cover the damage to your vehicle, regardless of who was at fault. If you only have liability coverage, your insurance will only pay for the other party’s property damage if you were at fault for the accident.

What is the difference between an accident report and a police report?

An accident report and a police report provide important records of the accident, but serve different purposes. The accident report you submit to your insurance company documents your perspective of the incident and helps initiate the claims process.

A police report prepared by a law enforcement officer often includes more comprehensive information. This could range from witness statements to diagrams of the accident scene created by a police officer, which could be valuable if liability is disputed or if legal action becomes necessary. Keep in mind that unless the officer personally witnessed the accident, they can only offer opinions from the data collected later.

What happens if the at-fault driver’s insurance doesn’t fully cover my bodily injury expenses?

If your bodily injury expenses exceed the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage limits, you can use your own underinsured motorist coverage (if you have it) to pay for the remaining costs. You can also consider taking legal action against the at-fault driver to recover the remaining expenses.

Do I have to pay a deductible when I file a car accident claim?

It depends on the type of claim. If you file a claim with your own insurance company under your collision coverage, you will usually need to pay a deductible. However, if you file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company, you typically won’t need to pay a deductible.

Should I report a minor fender bender to my insurance company?

Yes, it is best to report even minor accidents to your insurance company. Failing to report an accident could violate the terms of your insurance policy. It could also potentially lead to a future denial of coverage for that accident. Injuries or vehicle damage from the accident may not become apparent until later. Having a record of the incident is also important.

Who pays for medical bills after a minor accident?

Medical bills resulting from a car accident are usually paid by the insurance company of the person at fault. If the at-fault driver’s insurance isn’t enough to cover your bills, your own auto insurance or health insurance may cover the remaining costs. Some states also have personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments (MedPay) coverage. These can help cover medical expenses regardless of who’s at fault.

Is there a time limit for reporting an accident to my insurance company?

Yes, there’s a time limit for reporting an accident to your insurance company. It is often specified in your auto policy. This differs from the legal statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit after a car accident. State laws determine the statute of limitations. Be sure to report an accident to your insurance company as soon as possible to avoid potential issues with coverage.

Have Questions? Get Legal Advice From a Car Accident Lawyer

Even if you’re not filing a lawsuit to recover auto accident damages, you should consider speaking with an experienced car accident attorney after a crash. A car accident attorney can help protect your rights throughout the auto insurance claims process. They can ensure that you do not make costly mistakes when talking with insurance adjusters. They can also help maximize the amount of damages you can recover.