What to Do After a Car Accident: An Insurance Checklist
A step-by-step checklist for the scene, the claim and the weeks after a car accident, plus how a crash can affect your insurance rates.
Updated October 7, 2026 · 6 min read
Key takeaways
- Check for injuries and call 911 first. Move to safety if you can.
- Exchange insurance information, take photos and get a police report when there are injuries or significant damage.
- Report the crash to your insurer promptly, even if you don't think it was your fault.
- An at-fault accident usually affects your rates for about three years, depending on your state and insurer.
At the scene
- Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt or the cars block traffic.
- Get to safety. If the cars can be driven and your state allows it, move them out of traffic and turn on your hazard lights.
- Exchange information: names, phone numbers, driver's license numbers, license plates, insurance companies and policy numbers.
- Document everything. Take photos of all vehicles, damage, the scene, road conditions and the other driver's insurance card. Get names and numbers of witnesses.
- Get a police report when there are injuries or significant damage, and note the report number.
- Don't argue about fault. Stick to facts. Fault is decided later by the insurers, and sometimes the courts.
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In the next day or two
- Report it to your insurer promptly, even if the other driver was at fault. Most policies require prompt notice, and your insurer can help if the other driver's insurer is slow or disputes fault.
- See a doctor if you have any pain. Some injuries show up later, and some states have deadlines for using injury benefits. In Florida, for example, you must get initial treatment within 14 days to use PIP medical benefits.
- Check whether your state requires a crash report to the DMV or police, especially for crashes with injuries or damage above a set amount.
During the claim
- Keep a file of photos, estimates, receipts, medical bills and every claim number.
- Ask whether rental reimbursement applies if you need a car. See our rental reimbursement guide.
- If the other driver is uninsured, use your uninsured motorist coverage.
- If your car is totaled and you owe more than it's worth, gap insurance covers the difference.
How an accident affects your rates
An at-fault accident usually raises your premium at renewal, typically for about three years, though the exact rules vary by state and insurer. Some states limit surcharges for small claims; Pennsylvania, for example, doesn't allow surcharges when total claim costs over three years stay under a set threshold. Accidents where you weren't at fault generally shouldn't raise your rate as much, but rules vary.
If your rate jumps after an accident, comparing quotes is worth it. Insurers weigh accidents differently, and the one you have now may not be the best price anymore. Read more in how tickets and accidents affect your rates.
Frequently asked questions
Should I report a minor accident to my insurer?
Most policies require prompt notice of any accident that could lead to a claim. Reporting doesn't always mean filing a claim, but not reporting can cause problems if the other driver files one later.
Do I have to call the police after an accident?
Call 911 for injuries or blocked traffic. Many states require a police or DMV report when there are injuries or damage over a set amount.
Will my rates go up if the accident wasn't my fault?
Generally less, if at all, but it depends on your state and insurer.
Sources
How this guide was made: researched and drafted with AI assistance (Wren AI), and checked against the government and industry sources listed above. Wren AI is an AI tool, not a person or a licensed insurance agent.
This guide is general information, not insurance, legal or tax advice. Coverage, rules and prices vary by state, insurer and policy. Confirm details with a licensed agent before you buy. Read our editorial policy.