If you’ve just been in a car accident and it wasn’t your fault, you might wonder, “Do I even need to call my insurance company?” It’s a common question. Sometimes, people think they should only call if they caused the crash. However, insurance language can be difficult to understand. Different rules and laws might apply, especially if your state has specific requirements about reporting accidents. Below are simple answers to questions many people have.
Why Call My Insurance if It’s Not My Fault?
This is a question many people ask. If the other driver caused the crash, they might think they only need to talk to the other person’s insurance. But there are good reasons to still call your own insurance company:
- Policy Requirements: Many insurance policies say you must report accidents within certain days, even if you did not cause the crash.
- Protection: If the other driver changes their story or blames you, your insurance can protect you.
- Uninsured Drivers: Sometimes, the other driver does not have insurance. If they can’t pay for your repairs or injuries, your policy might help, especially if you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
- Future Disputes: If the other driver or their insurance company tries to say it was your fault, you want your insurance company to know what happened.
Even if you are 100 percent certain you are not at fault, it’s often wise to call your own insurance company so they have a record of what happened. That way, you’re protected if things get complicated later.
Is There a Deadline to Tell My Insurance About an Accident?
Yes. You must give your insurance company notice of a crash within 20 days. Your policy might have its rules about shorter deadlines, but state law does not allow very short notice periods, which is unfair. Usually, you want to tell your insurance company as soon as possible.
Here is why the timeline matters:
- If you wait too long, your insurance can say you didn’t follow the rules of your policy.
- This might cause them to refuse coverage or make things harder when you try to file a claim.
So, even if you think the other driver will pay or their insurance will handle it, calling your insurer to let them know is often a smart move.
How Soon Should I Report the Accident?
It’s understandable to feel stressed or busy after an accident. You might be dealing with injuries or car repairs. However, waiting too long can lead to problems. If you let a lot of time pass, your insurance might say you didn’t cooperate. Plus, details of the crash might fade from your memory.
It’s best to inform your insurance company soon so they can start a file. Remember that 20 days is the common guideline. But do not wait until Day 19 or 20 if you can help. Report earlier. That way, you don’t risk missing the deadline.
What About Telling the DMV or Other Government Offices?
You have to report a crash if there is more than $1,000 in damage or someone suffers an injury or dies. The deadline is usually 10 days.
Sometimes, your insurance company or lawyer can send the report to you. But if no one does it, you can face penalties, like a suspended license. Even if you did not cause the crash, the rule says you must report it if it meets the damage or injury threshold.
What Happens if I Don’t Tell Anyone at All?
If you decide not to call your insurer, and you also don’t report the crash to the DMV (when required by law), here are some possible outcomes:
- License Problems: If the DMV finds out later, you might face penalties or lose your license for not reporting.
- Coverage Issues: Your insurance might say you broke your policy. This can mean trouble if you later decide you want your insurance to help with repairs or medical bills.
- Delayed Claims: If the other driver suddenly tries to blame you and you never reported the crash, it might look suspicious when you try to file a late report. This can slow down any claim you want to make.
Skipping the notice can lead to more stress. It’s best to follow your policy and state law.
Can My Insurance Go Up if It’s Not My Fault?
Some worry that telling their insurance about a crash will raise their rates, even though they didn’t cause it. While every insurer has its way of deciding rates, many do not raise premiums if you are not at fault.
However, some insurers might still consider you a “higher risk” driver if you have been in a crash, even if it wasn’t your fault. It’s not fair, but it can happen.
Still, it’s often better to report an accident than to hide it. Failing to report can lead to more severe consequences (like being dropped by your insurer entirely).
What If the Other Driver Has No Insurance?
If the person who hit you does not have insurance, you might need your policy to help. Many people carry “uninsured” or “underinsured” motorist coverage. This protects you if the other driver can’t pay. But to use that coverage, you often must tell your insurance about the crash immediately. If you don’t report, you might lose the chance to have them cover repairs or medical bills. That’s another reason why calling your insurer, even if it’s not your fault, is a good idea.
Can I Rely on the Other Driver’s Insurance Alone?
You can try. But it’s risky. What if the other driver’s insurance says:
- “Wait, this is your fault!”
- “We think your damages aren’t that serious.”
- “We need more proof.”
Insurance companies sometimes want to save money. They may fight your claim. If you never told your insurance, your insurer won’t have a record of the crash. You might need to scramble to gather proof. When your insurance knows what happened, they can guide you or even talk to the other company to help settle things.
What if I Don’t Plan to Make a Claim at All?
Some think, “My car is slightly scratched, and I’m not hurt. I don’t want to bother.” That might be okay if the damage is very minor. But be careful: sometimes injuries show up later, or the damage is worse than you first realize. If you didn’t report the accident and then months later you have pain or your car has hidden issues, you might struggle to get coverage. Letting your insurer know upfront is usually safer. Even if you don’t claim anything immediately, you have a record if you change your mind.
What if the Other Driver Later Blames Me?
People can change their stories. Perhaps the other driver admits fault at the scene but later tells their insurance you caused the crash. If you never alerted your insurance, they start from scratch when they learn about it much later. They don’t have notes from your first phone call or any early evidence. This can harm your chance of defending yourself. Let your insurance know immediately so they can track evidence, photos, or statements.
How Do I Call My Insurance, and What Do I Say?
Calling your insurance is usually simple:
- Find Your Policy Number: It’s often on your insurance card.
- Use Their Claims Hotline: Most companies have a phone number just for reporting accidents.
- Give Basic Info: They’ll want to know the date, time, location, and who was involved.
Keep it short and factual. You don’t need to guess about fault or say too much. Tell them you got hit and believe the other driver caused the accident. They might assign a claim number or an adjuster to you. Save that info in a safe place.
Do I Need a Police Report if a Car Accident Wasn’t My Fault?
A police report can be very helpful. Officers often note who they believe caused the crash and record important details. Many insurance companies rely on that police report. If the crash was serious (injuries, major damage), call the police. You might still want an official record if it was a minor bump and no one was hurt. Police reports are good evidence if there is a dispute about fault later.
What About Medical Bills? Who Pays If I’m Not at Fault?
In many places, the other driver’s insurance pays for your bills if you are not at fault. But that doesn’t always happen right away. Sometimes, you have to wait for them to “accept liability.” Meanwhile, if you have health insurance or special coverage like “Med Pay” in your auto policy, that can step in. If you have “Med Pay,” you generally want to contact your insurance. That way, they’ll know you might use it.
Will I Have to Pay a Deductible If It’s Not My Fault?
Usually, if someone else is at fault, their insurance should pay. But if you use your policy (for example, collision coverage to fix your car quickly), you may need to pay your deductible first. Later, your insurance might try to get that money back from the other driver’s insurer, a process called subrogation. If they succeed, they might return that deductible to you. But the key is that if you want to use your coverage, you must let your insurer know about the accident.
Can the Insurance Company Cancel My Policy If I Don’t Report?
Potentially, yes. Not reporting an accident can violate your contract. This might give them a reason not to renew you or to cancel. That can make it harder to get insurance elsewhere. Not telling them about the accident might seem tempting, but it can cause more problems. Transparency usually saves trouble. Being upfront helps maintain your credibility and protects your coverage in the long run.
Should I Accept the Other Insurance Company’s First Offer After an Accident?
Often, the first offer is low. Insurance companies sometimes want to settle fast and cheaply. Before you sign anything, check the numbers: does it cover all your car repairs, medical bills, lost earnings, and future treatment? If unsure, you should always talk to a personal injury attorney. Remember that once you sign, you might lose the chance to ask for more money later. Hiring a lawyer can ensure you don’t accept lowball offers.
Do I Need to Keep Certain Documents After a Car Accident?
Yes. Keep:
- Photos of damage
- Photos of injuries
- Police report copies
- Letters from insurance companies
- Medical bills
- Receipts for car repairs or rental cars
Try to keep everything in one folder. This makes it easier if you need to prove something later. Having good records helps your case if there’s any disagreement. Staying organized lets you quickly access important information when communicating with insurance or legal professionals.
What Do I Do If My Car Is Totaled?
If your car is totaled (meaning the cost to fix it exceeds its value), you’ll need to involve insurance to receive payment for its actual value. Typically, you’ll work with the at-fault driver’s insurance or your collision coverage to settle the claim. Both insurance companies require that you report the crash promptly. Waiting too long to notify them can lead to delays or challenges, as they may question the validity of your claim or the report’s timing. Acting quickly helps ensure a smoother, faster resolution.
Protect Your Rights: Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
Even though the other driver’s insurance might be paying, telling your insurance is smart. You don’t want any surprises later. Talking to a lawyer who handles car accidents can give you personalized advice. A car accident attorney can explain local laws, help gather evidence, and deal with the insurance adjusters for you. Accidents happen, but being informed can make the process less scary.
Remember: staying calm, following the rules, and sharing accurate information usually leads to the best result. That includes calling your insurance company—even if you’re sure the crash wasn’t your fault.
