19.3 daysAverage repair time after a claim (2025)
10 daysCalifornia deadline to file an SR-1 report
+60%Average premium rise after an at-fault accident
26%Claimants with a deductible of $1,000 or more
Key takeaway: Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt, move to safety if you can, then collect the other driver’s details, photos and witness information. Notify your insurer promptly, and check whether your state requires a separate DMV report. Don’t admit fault or agree to settle privately before you know the full cost.
How we put this guide together: This checklist follows AAA’s accident guidance and state DMV rules, with claims data from J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. Reporting rules vary by state; this guide is general information, not legal advice. Figures were checked in October 2026 and vary by state, driver and vehicle. See our advertiser disclosure.

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At the scene

  1. Check for injuries. Call 911 if anyone is hurt, even slightly. Some injuries show up hours later.
  2. Make the scene safe. If the crash is minor and the cars can move, pull out of traffic. Turn on hazard lights and use flares or triangles if you have them.
  3. Call the police. Many states require police to be notified when there are injuries or significant damage. Get the officer’s name and badge number and ask how to get a copy of the report.
  4. Exchange information with every driver involved (see the list below).
  5. Photograph everything: all vehicles from several angles, license plates, damage, road conditions, traffic signs and any injuries.
  6. Talk to witnesses. Get names and phone numbers.
  7. Don’t admit fault or discuss who caused the crash. Stick to facts with the police and the other driver.

Information to collect

From each driverAbout the scene
Full name, address and phoneDate, time and exact location
Insurance company and policy numberPolice report number and officer details
Driver’s license numberWitness names and contact details
License plate, make, model and color of vehiclePhotos of damage, road and weather
Vehicle owner, if different from the driverNotes on what happened, written while fresh

Based on AAA’s accident checklist.

Reporting requirements

Besides the police, many states require drivers to file their own report with the DMV within a short deadline. In California, each driver must file form SR-1 with the DMV within 10 days if anyone was injured or killed or property damage exceeded $1,000, regardless of who was at fault. Other states have different thresholds and deadlines, so check your state DMV’s website.

Your policy also requires you to notify your insurer promptly. Delays can complicate or jeopardize a claim, even if you don’t think you were at fault.

Filing the insurance claim

  1. Call your insurer or start a claim in its app. Give the facts and your photos. You’ll get a claim number and an adjuster.
  2. Decide whose policy to claim on. If the other driver was at fault, you can claim on their liability cover; using your own collision cover may be faster, and your insurer can recover your deductible from theirs later.
  3. Get the damage assessed. Many insurers use photo estimates or approved shops. You usually have the right to choose your repair shop.
  4. Keep records of medical visits, rental costs, towing and time off work.
  5. Review the settlement. If your car is totaled, check the valuation against similar cars for sale locally. If you owe more than it’s worth, gap insurance may cover the difference.

J.D. Power’s 2025 claims study found the average repair took 19.3 days, down from 22.3 the year before. More drivers now carry high deductibles: 26% had a deductible of $1,000 or more.

Should you file a claim for a minor accident?

If damage is minor and only your car is involved, paying yourself can sometimes cost less than the premium increase. An at-fault accident raises the average full-coverage premium by about 60% (CarInsurance.com, 2026), usually for three to five years. But if anyone else is involved, always report the accident to your insurer: injuries and claims can appear later, and failing to report can breach your policy.

After the claim

  • Expect your rate to rise at renewal if you were at fault. Some insurers offer accident forgiveness for a first accident.
  • Shop around if the increase is large. Insurers price accidents differently; see our high-risk drivers guide.
  • If you drive for Uber or Lyft and were online, report the crash in the app too; see rideshare insurance.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to call the police after a minor accident?

It depends on your state. Many require it when there are injuries or damage above a set amount. A police report also helps with your insurance claim.

How soon should I report an accident to my insurer?

As soon as practical, ideally the same day. Policies require prompt notice, and delays can complicate a claim.

Should I admit fault after an accident?

No. Stick to facts. Fault is decided by insurers, police and sometimes courts, based on evidence and state law.

What if the other driver has no insurance?

Your uninsured motorist cover pays for your injuries (and in some states car damage). Collision cover can pay for your car repairs minus your deductible.

Will my insurance go up after an accident that wasn’t my fault?

Usually not significantly, though rules vary by state and insurer. At-fault accidents raise premiums by about 60% on average.

Sources

Insurance prices, discounts and rules change often and vary by state. Figures were checked in October 2026; confirm details with the insurer or your state insurance department.