Following the embarrassment of being responsible for a low-impact collision comes the fear of a potential increase in car insurance premiums. Even if you have a sufficient amount of coverage via your auto insurance policy, you may be tempted to conceal the accident from your insurance provider and pay for the damages to your vehicle out of your personal funds.

This might make sense if your car was the only one engaged in the incident, such as when you backed into a pole. However, if you cause damage to another person's car or injury to another person, you might be held financially responsible for thousands of dollars.

Tell Your Insurer When Other Drivers Are Involved

Imagine that you are driving carelessly and causing damage to another person's car due to your actions. It is unsafe to try to settle the collision with the other motorist on your own without the assistance of your insurance. When it comes down to it, you don't know who you're dealing with. What happens if you pay for the repairs, and he comes back a few months later seeking additional money?

Your liability insurance is meant to protect you against litigation. The insurance company you go through has expertise dealing with parties involved in an accident, regardless of how upset the parties involved may be. Your liability coverage will pay for any injuries or property damage that you cause to other people, as well as the expenses of defending yourself in court if you are sued as a consequence of an accident.

You should provide the other motorist with your insurance information, notify the police, and report the occurrence to your insurance carrier to prepare yourself for the possibility that they may file a claim against you. Before you part ways with the other driver, taking photographs of the damage to both of your vehicles is another smart move. If there are no reports of injuries and the damage is minimal, the authorities may not respond to the site of the accident, depending on the jurisdiction. In such a situation, you should go to the police station and submit a complaint. When you claim auto insurance, the insurance company will ask for a copy of the police report because it contains vital paperwork and is required by law.

Notify Your Car Insurance If There Is a Potential for Significant Property Damage or Personal Injury

Damage Caused By Others

Even if the other driver is truthful and the collision was nothing more than a little scrape, the damage might be far worse than it seems at first glance. According to ISO, a supplier of data analytics, the average claim paid out for property damage liability claims in 2015 was $3,593.

Others' Injuries

Similarly, it may be difficult to determine whether or not injuries are involved at the site of an accident. Certain injuries, like whiplash, might have delayed symptoms that don't always present themselves straight away. You should do all your power to avoid being put in the position of paying for another person's medical expenses. Let your insurance handle it. According to ISO, the average amount paid for an accident liability claim in 2015 was $17,024.

Your Car Damage

There's a chance that your car has damage that's not visible. The repairs will be paid for by your collision insurance, less the deductible you have chosen. According to ISO estimates, the average collision claim cost in 2015 was $3,350. It is likely stipulated in your policy that you must give the insurance company notice of the accident within a reasonable length of time after it has occurred. A delayed claim payout may be at risk due to excessive waiting time.

When It Is Not Necessary To Claim Your Automobile Insurance

If The Accident Just Affected You and Your Car

If you acquired liability insurance and did not get collision coverage, your policy does not cover damage to your car, even if you were in an accident.

Having collision coverage on your car, the insurance company will pay for any damages it sustains. Instead of submitting a claim on your collision insurance policy, consider paying for the repairs yourself or just living with the ding. Get a fast repair quote. There is no use in submitting a claim if the repair cost is going to be less than the deductible you have. The amount of money that comes out of your own pocket to pay for a repair is known as the deductible.