Experiencing your first car accident can be stressful. However, there is a difference between a major and minor car accident, which begs the question, “When should you call your insurance company?” The answer to that question will often vary, but the most common answer you will get is “always.” That’s mainly because your insurance company is there to help pay for the costs of an accident, but unless there’s a significant amount of damage, intervention isn’t always necessary.
Regardless, there are certain steps you should take after getting into common car accidents. These include making sure everyone in the vehicle is safe and exchanging information. Sometimes, you will have to call your insurance company as well. You might be worried that your insurance premiums will go up for a minor fender bender or wonder what happens if you don’t report an accident to your insurance company. Luckily, BrokerLink is here to educate you about what to do after getting into a car accident.
What to do after a car accident
First off, let’s establish what to do following a car accident. It doesn’t matter whether you think it was your fault or not. You still have to follow these key steps to avoid issues down the line. It’s up to you to gather all the information you can before moving forward. Here’s what you do following any car accident.
Check yourself and your passengers for car accident injuries. If you or anyone else is injured, call 911 or ask someone else to. Move your vehicle to the side of the road, away from traffic, if it’s safe to do so. In some provinces, you might not have to call the police if the damage is less than $2,000, there are no injuries, and there are no signs of illegal activity, such as drinking and driving. If your vehicle is safe, take it to a collision reporting centre. If you are unsure what to do, call 911 or the local police station for sound advice. It is also important to get all the necessary details right away, including:
- Name, address and phone number of each driver and each vehicle’s registered owner.
- Licence plate number of each vehicle.
- Name and phone number of any passengers and witnesses.
- Take photos and videos of the damage.
- Note the weather conditions at the time of the accident.
You can never be too cautious after getting into a car accident. Regardless of who was at fault, you will have to gather evidence to make an insurance claim. This can include an accident report or a police report, depending on the situation. Your insurance provider is there to help you, so hiding an accident won’t do you any good. With that in mind, we will discuss things to avoid doing after an accident.
What to avoid doing after a car accident
Getting into even the most minor collisions can be worrisome. You don’t know how the other driver will react and how much the damages will cost. With that said, if you’re a driver involved in an incident, there are a few things you should avoid doing, which we discuss below:
- Don’t assume everyone is okay. Injury is possible even if the accident is minor.
- Don’t move your car if it’s not drivable, and if the location of the car could be considered evidence of fault, leave it where it is.
- Don’t lie about what happened. Whether you think the incident was your fault or the other driver’s fault, be honest about the facts and explain your perspective.
- Don’t hesitate to get the other vehicle owner(s) information, and be sure to record details of the incident. Having witnesses give statements can aid your insurance claim.
- Don’t leave the scene of an accident. Not only can this increase your insurance premiums, but it can also add demerit points to your driving record and is considered a criminal offence.
Car insurance can help you with various types of car accidents. Any driver involved in an incident should make an effort to be open and honest about what happened. This will help create an accurate accident report that both parties can provide to their respective insurance companies. Making an insurance claim can help pay for any damages or repairs required. Next, we will discuss when you should report a car accident to your insurance company.
When you should report a car accident to your insurance company
In short, you should report ANY accident to your insurance provider. Both minor and major highway car accidents are a big deal. Once you visit a collision reporting centre, your insurance broker or company can walk you through the process. Let’s explore the benefits of calling your insurance company following a car accident below:
Damage and injuries are not always visible
It’s up to you to report an accident, even a fender bender, where it seems like you’ll only need to pay a couple hundred dollars to replace a bumper. When this happens, you might be surprised to see a couple hundred dollars turn into a couple thousand! This depends on the make and model of the car, of course.
Additionally, injuries don’t always take effect right away. Sometimes, they become more apparent a few days or weeks after the accident. That’s why filing a police report and gathering information about the other driver is necessary. Without evidence, your insurance coverage won’t kick in because the other driver can say the incident never happened.
Your insurance company can help pay for repairs
It takes a while for an insurance company to make a final decision. The claims process doesn’t go through until the insurance provider can confirm what happened. That’s why getting a police report and reviewing your insurance policy shortly after an incident is essential.
It doesn’t matter whether it was your fault or not. Even in a shared fault situation, seeking coverage right away will allow you to get your car back on the road while the dispute is being settled. Depending on your insurance policy, you may be able to get compensation for medical bills and loss of income. Just be honest because lying is considered insurance fraud.
Not everyone has car insurance
An insurance company’s assessment of the situation makes a difference since auto insurance policies are designed to compensate you for damages. Driving without car insurance is illegal, but some people still do it. Otherwise, this can cost you a lot of money.
If the other driver doesn’t have car insurance, it doesn’t matter if the vehicles involved don’t have visible damage. In the event that you take your car to the shop and don’t gather information about the other driver, you will have to pay for the damages out of pocket. By reporting incidents like sideswipe car accidents to your insurance company, you ensure the damages will be covered.
Calling your insurance company is not the same as making a claim
Calling your insurance provider to report an accident is not the same as filing a claim. Despite this, it’s important to let your insurance company know what happened. It will allow you to make a claim with evidence if something were to happen later on. Doing this is essential, as is determining fault in a sideswipe accident.
For example, if you get into an accident and there are no visible injuries and the damage is a small scuff, you might think nothing’s wrong. Sometimes, you might develop whiplash symptoms a few days later or discover that one of your car’s sensors got damaged by the hit. If you have already gotten in touch with your insurance company, your car insurance can cover any damages or injuries.
A claim can be opened anyway
Everyone has to have car insurance and an insurance company to provide them with a policy. That means all drivers involved can make a car insurance claim. In other words, even if you don’t notify your insurance provider, they might find out about what happened through other means.
Your insurance provider will be notified when another driver reports an accident to their insurance company. Even what looks like a minor car accident can result in a claim, which will result in expensive repairs. It’s best to be honest about the damages caused by an auto accident. It will be beneficial whether you have to make a claim or not.
Going to the nearest collision reporting centre is helpful when you get into a car accident. It will allow a police officer to file a report to back up an insurance claim. This is a crucial piece of evidence because insurance companies need proof that the accident happened to provide compensation minus your deductible. Next, we will explore the effect an insurance claim can have on your insurance rates.
How an insurance claim will affect your rates
In the event that you have to file a claim, you might wonder how it affects your premiums. Drivers involved in accidents need to be truthful to avoid being charged with insurance fraud. However, by being transparent, your insurance rates will be adjusted accordingly. Let’s find out how an insurance claim can affect your premiums:
Rates will increase if you’re at fault
The bad news is your insurance rates will likely increase after getting into an accident if you’re found to be at fault for the accident. It’s because your insurance company will consider you a higher-risk driver. As a result, you will have to pay more for your liability car insurance coverage. The increase will vary depending on the severity of the accident and damages but will last for at least three years.
There is one scenario where your rates will remain the same after getting into an at-fault accident. This is when you opt into accident forgiveness coverage. Having this type of coverage as part of your policy prevents your insurance rates from going up after your first at-fault accident.
Rates will slightly go up if you’re not at fault
If you get into a car accident and the other driver is considered at fault, your insurance rates can still increase. However, it isn’t directly correlated with the accident. There are other factors to consider, such as your insurance company’s policies, past claims, and where you live. Reporting an accident to your insurance company and making a claim will increase your rates, but not as much as an at-fault accident would.
Contacting your insurance company after an accident is essential. It will prevent legal and financial repercussions later on. If you don’t get in touch with your insurance company after a car accident, and the other driver makes a claim, you may get denied coverage. This isn’t a risk you should take, especially if the damage or injuries are severe. With that said, you don’t necessarily have to make a claim in a minor accident.
Contact BrokerLink for your car insurance needs today!
Having car insurance coverage is helpful, especially if you get into an accident. It will compensate you for repairs to your vehicle and expenses associated with injuries. Your insurance company exists to help you, which is why you should let them know if you get into any type of car accident. It doesn’t matter if there aren’t any visible injuries or vehicle damage.
If you recently purchased your first car, you’ll need coverage. There are many types of coverage you can add to your policy. Some are mandatory, while others are not. It’s important to understand differences such as collision vs. comprehensive car insurance. In Canada, you can expect to come across the following types of coverage:
A good insurance company will advocate for you, but finding one isn’t easy. That’s where an insurance broker can help. A broker can shop around and get quotes from different insurance companies to get you the best coverage at an affordable rate. BrokerLink knows this all too well. Contact us today for a free quote.
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