Once My Car Insurance Carrier Finds Out About My Car Accident When Will They Raise My Premium
Your insurance carrier may not find out about your car accident for a few months. If you recently acquired or renewed your policy, it may be a couple of years before they examine your Motor Vehicle Record .
There are times when the accident requires the notification of carriers.
If the accident warrants a look at the MVR, then the insurance carrier will look it over.
If your accident is due to a DUI/DWI, your options change.
Your carrier will become aware of your accident and possibly cancel your policy immediately. If you go to court and your license is suspended or revoked, you will not need insurance.
Police Reports And Personal Injuries
No one is at their best after a car accident. You will likely be shaken up and not able to clearly judge how you are doing. Police can spot potential issues and help. They will also deal with the other party for you, which will provide some objectivity and relieve a lot of stress. The police will question all involved parties and fill in the details of the report.
Sometimes injuries don’t show up until a day or two after the accident. If you didn’t file a police report and there is no record of the crash, it may make it harder for you in the long run. For instance, it could be harder to get coverage for your medical expenses.
What To Do If You Have A Crash
- Turn off your ignition to reduce the risk of fire.
- Turn on your hazard lights.
- If safe to do so, check whether theres anything on the road from the crash that could be dangerous or cause another crash, such as debris or broken glass. Move it off the road if its safe to do so.
If youre involved in a crash with a truck carrying a dangerous load:
- Warn people away from the crash.
- Avoid touching spilled chemicals or breathing the fumes or dust.
- Look for an Emergency Procedures Guide attached to the truck drivers door. Follow these procedures, if its safe to do so.
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What Do Car Insurance Companies Do If I Dont Report A Car Accident
Its not uncommon for state law to indicate that no reporting is necessary following a minor accident void of personal injury or significant property damage.
In fact, its very common for drivers to be involved in a minor accident and both go on their way without reporting it to anyone.
But insurance companies vary in their reporting requirements based on who they are covering and to what extent the policy covers a vehicle. Some insurance policies specifically spell out the fact that every accident must be reported to them, regardless of how minor.
While they have no means of legal enforcement, they can certainly refuse to pay a claim if a non-reported accident becomes an issue in the future.
They also have the freedom to drop customers who pose a significantly higher risk or have a track record of routinely failing to report accidents.
How To File An Accident Report With The Police
It happens all the time: You get into a fender bender, and the other driver begs you not to get the police involved. Maybe they dont want any more points on their license maybe theyre just in a hurry. Whatever the reason, you have to call the police anyway.
That sounds so mean, right? What if the other driver is a dad with two little kids, or a grandma heading to church? Doesnt matter. Without that police report, insurance companies have no way of knowing what happened and theres no reason for them to trust your version of events. The other driver may apologize and promise to pay for everything, only to turn around and lie to their insurer, claiming the accident was your fault. Thats why after a car accident, filing a police report is absolutely crucial. Heres what you need to know.
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Dont Refuse Medical Evaluation And Attention At The Scene
Refusing medical attention at the scene might bring more suffering later. You may think youre fine, but some injuries are not immediately apparent or you might fail to recognize certain symptoms as dangerous. In addition, turning down a medical once-over or basic medical evaluation could affect your future legal claim. The other drivers attorney and insurance company might argue that in refusing medical treatment at the scene, you werent seriously injured or that any injuries identified later were unconnected with the car accident.
When Is It Necessary To Call The Cops After A Crash In Colorado
You are required, by Colorado state law, to notify the police of a crash when there is any property damage or anyone is injured or killed.
There is no minimum value on the property damage that must be reported.
You must remain at the scene until a police officer arrives, and the officer may or may not interview you about the incident.
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Never Ever Agree Not To Report An Accident
We are a society of do-gooders. I have met with dozens of empathetic, caring drivers who say, I didnt report the accident because I felt so bad for the other driver. Whether its a teenage driver, an elderly person, a person who is obviously down on their financial luck, you cant get so wrapped up in the other drivers concerns that you neglect your own well-being!
Additionally, dont ever accept cash on the spot for what you think is minor damage, and dont ever state that the accident was too insignificant to report youre not a mechanic or body expert and you dont know what youll find after the fact.
Could The Accident Have Caused Not
Even if neither driver appears injured, some injuries are not apparent right away. This is another situation where you should err on the side of caution. If you think you suffered an injury, you should get medical attention. If you do this, you should also get a police report to create a record that the accident occurred. Otherwise, the other driver might claim that the wreck never happened, or call into question your claim that such a minor accident caused your injuries.
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I Feel Ok After My Accident Should I Bother Getting Checked Out By A Doctor
Even if you dont think that you were hurt in a car accident, or if you think that your injuries werent that serious, you should still seek medical attention after a crash. There are two important reasons for doing so.
First, and most importantly, getting evaluated for injuries as soon as possible after an accident is the best way to get an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment. This can maximize the likelihood of physically recovering from your injuries.
For example, you are rear-ended in a car accident and are diagnosed with whiplash. This condition is caused by a forceful, back and forth movement of the neck. Symptoms of whiplash, such as neck pain and stiffness and headaches, often dont appear for several days after an injury.
Seeing a doctor immediately after a rear-end accident can help to rule out other potential injuries, like broken bones. The sooner that you are diagnosed, the more quickly treatment can begin, and the faster that you can get back to normal. No matter what type of accident you were in, keep an eye out for symptoms that may indicate that you were injured.
Can I File An Accident Report After The Fact
Yes, you can, though cities handle this differently. If you live in Columbus, you can find the accident reporting information here.
There is, however, a different set of rules that apply when you are in an accident with an uninsured driver. If this happens, you must submit a crash report to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles within six months of the accident occurring.
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If The Law Enforcement Agency Tells You To Just Exchange Information
If you call the police, and they tell you to just exchange information with the other driver, what information should you exchange? At a minimum, make sure you get from the other driverâand that the other driver get from youâall of the following information:
- full name and contact information
- insurance company and policy number
- driver’s license and license plate number, and
- type, color, and model of vehicle.
If the driver’s name is different from the name of the insured, establish what the relationship is and take down the name and address for each person.
Ask to see documents from which you can copy this information, such as a driver’s license and an insurance verification card. Why? Sometimes, peopleâlike drivers who don’t have car insuranceâgive false information. If the other driver won’t let you verify information, call the police and insist that the driver stay until the police arrive.
If you are suspicious about the information you are getting, call the other driver’s insurance company from the scene of the accident to verify for yourself that the other driver has given you accurate information. But only verify coverage. Don’t give accident details to the other driver’s insurance company. Not yet. You can do that when you’re away from the scene of the accident and have had a chance to calm down and talk to your own insurer.
Do I Always Need To Call The Police After A Car Crash In California
After a California car accident, the people involved are required to stop and check the other individual and damage to the vehicles. If one of the drivers does not stop and continues driving without assessing the situation and talking with the other party, they can be charged with fleeing a hit-and-run for fleeing the scene. Even if the accident seems minor, there is a possibility that someone can be hurt.
While minor accidents with little to no damage are not required to be reported to the police, it is still a good idea to have the accident on file in case you discover an injury that resulted from the accident. For example, if another car rear-ends you, but you both stop and see there is no damage, you may decide to part ways without calling the police. If you later find out that you sustained whiplash from the accident you will have to pay for medical treatment and medication for your injury.
Another reason to contact the police after even a minor accident is to document the facts. At-fault drivers often apologize and admit fault at the scene only to later try to shift blame when speaking with the insurance companies. In short, contacting the police after an accident can save you money, time, and frustration.
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Should I Contact My Car Insurance Company If The Accident Is Minor
No matter how big or small an accident you should always file a notification with your insurance provider.
But depending on your deductible, you may not want to file a car insurance claim.
If you have a high deductible, and the accident only caused $300 worth of damage after getting the car evaluated by a trusted mechanic, then you may want to delay filing a claim on the car so your insurance premiums dont go up.
In this instance, you can simply pay for the repair out of pocket.
To find out what kinds of insurance rates and deductibles are out there for you, type in your ZIP code now to compare numerous car insurance quotes in your area!
Why Is A Police Report So Important
In addition to providing an accurate account and impartial third-party documentation of your car accident, the police report is typically a very effective piece of evidence to support your claim.
Why? It’s considered an unbiased report of the car collision, which is generally more valuable than your claim or the at-fault driver’s story.
Additionally, a police report will be necessary for the insurance company involved in a claim if you decide to file a personal injury claim.
In simple terms, the police report will help support your claim in many different ways. It’s critical to remember the police report represents the viewpoint of a police officer who has nothing to gain or lose by showing what happened in an auto accident.
Their report simply documents an objective view of several important car accident factors. These factors include:
- The exact location where the car accident occurred
- The time and date of the car accident
- Damages to all vehicles and property involved
- Any injuries to drivers, passengers, or others
- Statements from drivers involved in the car accident
- Statements and contact information from any witnesses
- Weather or other environmental conditions at the time of the accident
Having a police report with this type of substantial evidence for your car accident case can support your claim and significantly improve your chances of successfully obtaining compensation.
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What Information Should I Exchange With The Other Driver If I Get Into A Car Accident
If you both can get out of the car and are in a safe place to take down information, here are the critical pieces of information you should take down:
- Names
- Vehicle identification and license plate numbers
- Contact information for their insurance companies and policy numbers
- Cars registration and get the owners name and contact information if its not the driver
- Names, addresses and phone numbers of witnesses and passengers
If you have a camera or one on your cell phone, take photographs of the damage and the car accident scene. If you are without a camera, at least try to make a rough sketch of the accident.
Make sure to note the time, date, and location of the accident.
If a police officer does arrive, take down his/her badge number, and find out where and when you will be able to pick up this police report.
Will The Police Officer File A Colorado Accident Report
In Colorado, police officers usually file a crash report if there is property damage in excess of $1,000 or someone was injured or killed.
An accident report will be filed if one or more drivers involved did not have car insurance, but otherwise, the officer might not bother to make and file a report.
In this case, you should file a personal accident report with the Department of Revenue within 60 days of the crash to make sure there is an official record of what happened.
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Review Your Insurance Policy
You should know exactly what you are covered for. While your insurance broker or company can provide you with this information, the claims process will be less stressful for you if you clearly understand what your specific policy will do for you. Read through your policy and understand your coverage limits.
Do I Have To Call The Police For A Car Accident In New York
When you are involved in a car accident, there are some steps you should always try to take at the scene of the collision. There are also steps that you are legally required to take in some cases. One of these steps is calling the police.
While you arent always required to call the police from the scene of an accident in New York, if you are required to call the police and fail to do so, you can potentially face steep penalties. A car accident lawyer can help you protect your rights and advise you how to proceed after a crash.
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If You Have A Serious Injury Do Not Try To Settle Your Own Claim
If you have suffered a serious injury or injuries requiring follow-up medical attention such as physical therapy, MRI or numerous follow-ups with your doctor, you should at least call to consult with, and seriously consider hiring, an attorney to represent you. An experienced personal injury attorney will generally make sure that you receive the compensation that is due to you, usually more than will be offered in settlement by an insurance adjuster, even after attorneys fees are paid. They will also typically assist you with getting your car repaired or paid for, and also assist in getting your medical bills processed. They will also be able to advise you regarding different medical treatment options, and assist you with gathering proper documentation about the crash.
Does The Law Require Me To Call Police In This Particular Situation
In Florida, the law is unambiguous on when you must get the police involved. Always call the police in any of the following situations:
- The accident involved bodily injury or death.
- The accident involved an intoxicated driver or a hit-and-run.
- The property damage from the accident appears to exceed $500.
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How Do I File A Police Report After My Accident
Once youre safe and away from the scene of the accident, call the local police. The information that you provide is what goes into the accident report. Once youre notified that the report is ready, youll have to submit it to the DMV within ten days of the accident. The local police station will be able to provide you information on how to retrieve the report. If you learn that the other driver involved in the accident has already filed a police report, youll still need to have one filed for yourself.
If you sustained severe injuries that leave you unable to file a police report, a passenger who was with you during the accident can file the report instead. If you didnt have a passenger with you and youre incapacitated, then someone close to you like a friend or family member can file the police report on your behalf. Keep in mind that the owner of the vehicle is ultimately the one responsible for filing a police report.