If you have been involved in an auto accident, you must report it to your auto insurance company in a timely manner.
While you need to report it to the authorities right away to ensure an accident report is completed, you also have the responsibility of notifying your insurer and explaining to them what happened. They will also want a copy of the accident report. Regardless of who is at fault for the accident, you should report it.
While there is no set in stone guideline for how long you have to report an accident to your insurance, your insurance policy probably specifies it as part of your contract.
You might be faced with a situation where you don’t know whether to file a claim, although those instances are rare.
As an example, if you were pulling into a parking spot at work and you scraped your car door against a steel pole and just scraped your car, you probably wouldn’t want to file a claim if the damage would cost less than your insurance deductible to fix.
Also, filing such a claim could cause an increase in your insurance premiums, and those rates hard to predict.
Even low-speed crashes with what appears to be minor damage could be costly to repair, with what appears to be a minor scrape costing more than $1,000, according to studies conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, so it could be hard to judge in those situations.
The Timeframe
Most insurance companies have 24-hour accident claim hotlines and mobile apps where you can make claims. Sometimes you can report the accident from the crash scene.
If it is a single-vehicle crash and you don’t know whether you should report it or not, read through your insurance policy at home so you can decide.
Many insurance companies require those who have coverage through them to make claims within a specific timeframe, but these limits aren’t public knowledge and are specific from policy to policy.
If you aren’t sure, call your insurance agent and ask him or her for the specifics. They can also help you file the claim.
So, if you have been in an accident with another vehicle, you should report it to your insurance as soon as possible. Of course, medical care comes first, but as soon as you get your first chance, either go online, use your app, or make a call so you can file your claim.
You should also consult with a personal injury attorney any time you have been involved in an accident.
If you were not at-fault or if the other driver’s negligence contributed to the crash, you might be able to pursue a personal injury claim. Personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, so you have nothing to lose.
Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form so an accident injury attorney who practices in your state can determine if you should proceed with a personal injury claim.
