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Are you supposed to call your insurance company after accident?

Author

John Castro

Published Feb 19, 2026

Are you supposed to call your insurance company after accident?

Yes, you should call your insurance company after a minor accident. You should contact your insurer anytime you're in an accident involving another driver, but it's even more important to call promptly if the accident resulted in property damage or injuries.

Just so, what happens if I don't call my insurance after an accident?

If you fail to notify your insurance company of an accident but then you later make a first-party claim under your policy, your claim could be denied. Failing to give notice may eliminate the insurer's duty to cover the damage or injuries caused by the accident.

Also, should I talk to my insurance company after an accident? After you've followed all the most important initial steps after an accident, you'll start the claims process. If it's not immediately clear who was at fault in the accident, or if you were the at-fault driver, you should aim to do most of the communicating with your own insurance company.

Also, when should I notify my insurance company of an accident?

It's a good idea to get in touch with your insurance carrier within 72 hours of any incident that may prompt the filing of a claim. Your policy may contain details on any notification deadlines (or the policy may simply state that policyholders must notify the carrier of any injuries "within a reasonable time".)

Do I have to call my insurance company after a minor accident?

By law, drivers involved in car accidents must exchange their details (i.e. name, address, contact number, vehicle owner — if they don't own it — and registration number). If you're in an accident — even a minor one — and the other driver refuses or fails to provide their details, call the police.

Do I call my insurance if someone hits me?

If you're involved in an accident in which you believe that you are not at fault, or if you've been involved in a hit and run, you will always call your insurance provider first. If you have collision insurance, filing a claim with your insurer gets you on the way to getting your vehicle repaired or replaced.

Do insurance companies talk to each other?

Insurance companies do not contact each other directly and go over your claim history or driving record. They do, however, have access to a variety of information through a database known as the Claims Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE).

What should you not tell your insurance company after an accident?

Avoid using phrases like “it was my fault,” “I'm sorry,” or “I apologize.” Don't apologize to your insurer, the other driver, or law enforcement. Even if you are simply being polite and not intentionally admitting fault, these types of words and phrases will be used against you.

How long after accident can you claim insurance?

Maximum length of time you can wait before you make a car insurance claim
StateStatutory benefits (injury or death)Personal damages (property)
NSW3 months after the date of the accident6 years after the accident
VICUnder 18: By age of 21 Everyone else: 1 year after you first notice the injury6 years after the accident

How do insurance companies know if you've been in an accident?

Car insurance companies typically look at your motor vehicle record (MVR) when you apply for a new policy and every year around renewal time. Your MVR will include accidents that were reported to the state. For example, if police responded to the scene of an accident and filed a report, it will be included in the MVR.

Should I call my insurance if it wasn't my fault?

Yes, you should call your insurance if you were in a car accident that was not your fault. In fact, you should always contact your car insurance company when you are in an accident, regardless of fault.

What questions do insurance companies ask after an accident?

Types of Questions You May Be Asked
  • When did the accident occur?
  • What is the year, make, and model of the vehicle you were driving at the time of the accident?
  • Were there any other vehicles involved?
  • What type of damage was done to your vehicle?
  • Is your vehicle in need of repairs?
  • Was there a police report?

Is it illegal to not go through car insurance?

The law says that you must normally have at least third party motor insurance if you drive or own a vehicle. You must also have insurance if you leave it parked on the street, on your driveway or in your garage. You don't need motor insurance if: you have a valid Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN)

What happens after a car accident not your fault?

If you weren't at fault in an accident, you also have the choice to file a claim with the other driver's insurance company, called a third-party claim. In a third-party claim, the other insurance company will pay for your car repairs once it determines their driver was at at-fault.

What do I do if someone hits my car?

If someone hits your car while parked, take action immediately with these few steps:
  1. Exchange information with the other driver (if applicable)
  2. Look for witnesses.
  3. Inspect and document damage.
  4. Call the police.
  5. Call insurance company.
  6. Move to safety.
  7. Call 911.
  8. Exchange information.

Who is responsible for a car accident the driver or owner?

In most cases, the driver of a vehicle who causes a car accident is responsible for any damages caused by the crash. However, that is not always the case. If the driver of the vehicle is not the owner of the vehicle, you could have a claim for damages against more than one individual.

What should I not tell an insurance adjuster?

Give Only Limited Personal Information. You need only tell the insurance adjuster your full name, address, and telephone number. You can also tell them what type of work you do and where you are employed. But at this point you need not explain or discuss anything else about your work, your schedule, or your income.

Do insurance adjusters lie?

Can Insurance Adjusters Lie to You? Yes, insurance adjusters are allowed to lie to you. In fact, many are even encouraged to do so. An adjuster might tell you that the other vehicle has no coverage when they know it does.

How long does an insurance company have to investigate a claim?

In general, the insurer must complete an investigation within 30 days of receiving your claim. If they cannot complete their investigation within 30 days, they will need to explain in writing why they need more time. The insurance company will need to send you a case update every 45 days after this initial letter.

What should you not say when making an insurance claim?

Dealing with an Insurance Adjuster: What Not to Say
  1. Before you talk to an insurance adjuster, understand their role.
  2. Avoid giving lots of details about the accident or your material damages.
  3. Avoid giving a lot of details about the injury.
  4. Do not sign anything or give a recorded statement.

What should you say to your insurance after an accident?

Never offer your own opinions, or let your emotions get involved. Stick to hard facts, and if you don't know exact facts, simply say that you don't know the answer. The insurance company may ask you questions about your speed, or distance between you and the other vehicle. Do not estimate answers to these questions.

How do you file an insurance claim if someone hits your car?

Steps to Take at the Scene
  1. Call the police. An officer will document the incident and create an official accident report, which you will typically need to have when filing your claim with your insurance company, says the Insurance Information Institute (III).
  2. Document the accident.
  3. Notify your insurer.

Do you have to talk to insurance investigators?

Should I speak to the investigator from the insurance company? This is one of the questions we are most commonly asked. In short the answer is almost always “No”! Therefore, to be safe, the best advice is never to fraternise with the enemy by allowing yourself to be interviewed by one of their investigators.

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