Accidents and insurance
Before an accident, understand your insurance policy. To find out what is covered:
- Call your insurance agent or company.
- Find your last renewal billing.
- Look on the "Declaration" page at the front of your insurance policy. This page lists each vehicle and the type of coverage you have.
Contact your insurer ASAP
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Most policies require prompt notification of a claim.
Exchange information
If you have a camera or a camera cellphone, take pictures of the accident scene and damage to all vehicles involved, even if it is a one-car accident. If you do not have a camera, sketch how the accident occurred.
Get the other driver's name, address, phone, vehicle license number, driver license number, insurance company name, and insurer's phone number. Ask witnesses for their names and phone numbers.
Notify police
Call the police. Depending on the circumstances, an officer may not come to the scene.
File a report
DMV requires an
Accident & Insurance Report to be filed by the drivers involved in an accident when:
- Damage to your vehicle is over $2500
- An injury (no matter how minor) or death occurs
- Damage to any one person’s property is over $2500
- Any vehicle has damage over $2500 and any vehicle is towed from the scene as a result of damages
Investigation
The insurance company has up to 45 days to investigate the accident to determine who is responsible for what share of the damages.