Do I need to report an accident to insurance even if there is no damage?

calipink22

I would. I'd also take it to a body shop to have it looked at. She may not have caused cosmetic damage but she may have caused damage to any engine parts or under carriage. Rather be safe that sorry. Definitely file a police report though

Caspper

why would you report it to insurance, so an accident can go on car fax? or your insurance will go up? it makes no sense for you to do so. for future refrence try to resolve the problem before reporting to insurance because you do not want your rates to go up.

RDC

REPORT IT! She may have written down your drivers license number to and plans to report it to her carrier with you being the one that struck her. Its always tough when there is damage to a front bumper because the most common type of accident is a rear end accident, so it can easily appear as though you struck her vehicle with the front end of your car. In our state you have 3 years to file a property damage claim, so you don't want her showing up 6 months from now after getting into a rear end accident claiming that you struck her. Even though the damage is minor to your front end there is still damage and your insurance company would have to consider that you might owe for some damage since she somehow has your information. Right now your insurance company can at least get her information, call her and get a statement about the accident in order to protect you. Since it wasn't your fault and there isn't any damage, you won't be subject to premium raises. But your insurance company will have a record on file in case she calls in to try to report the accident as your fault. Or tries to file a bodily injury claim (this can be done 2 years from the date of the accident).

I've had situations as a claims adjuster where my insured felt that they weren't at fault and the damage was minor so everyone walked away from the accident. Months later when the person they struck was in financial trouble they suddenly decided to report the claim and seek recompense for property damages and bodily injury. I would feel so sorry for my insured because I would KNOW that they weren't at fault, but the damage and point of impact would support the person they were in the accident with and as such I would have to pay out. When you report it right away your insurance company can do a through investigation, they can determine if she is cooperative with their investigation, and if she tells them a story that doesn't match yours they can do a scene investigation, canvass for any witnesses, run a DMV and ISO search to see if she has any other accidents that mimic this one. Your insurance company is far more likely to believe your version of events if you called in the accident as soon as it happened. This doesn't mean that you HAVE to get your vehicle fixed or that your premium will increase, but it will protect you in case she does decide to seek damages later.

Even if they call her and she says that you hit her your insurance company is far more likely to believe your version of events because you called in with all this information and reported it.

Demonic

dude....why the hell are u reporting it if there is no damage. If anything the company will find an excuse to raise your payments, congratualtions, lets think about that one.

Peter H

If there is damage, there is a legal requirement to exchange name and address information. Failure to do so is a criminal offence, and therefore risks prosecution. On the other hand accidentally causing damage to another person's property is a civil offence, for which one may sue for damages. Your contract with the insurance company does not oblige you to notify every incident; in theory you could always pay the claims in full yourself. Bearing in mind that it is a no-claim bonus, not a no-blame bonus, I would repair trivial damage myself if I were to blame. Furthermore, when I am convinced that the other party is 100% to blame, I have written directly to the other party or his insurers to make the claim without involving my own insurance. This has always worked. It is worth remembering that in law the claim is against the driver, not his insurance company, so if there is any delay, it is the driver you take to court. (He may, of course wish to sue his insurance company afterwards.)

jtexas

No, don't report unless you're making a claim.

Curious, how did they hit the front of your car? Were they backing up?

The other driver should have provided you with the insurance information when you asked. But typically in the case like you described (no damage), most people don't ask.

steve c

After an accident, both parties are legally obliged to exchange details. However if there is no damage, it would clearly be more hassle than it is worth. If you told your insurance company you would be doing the legally correct thing................. but just fix the number plate and forget about it.

Stina Lady

No. Don't waste the time. Although you can report it to the police since it was failure to provide information in an accident.

Scott H

Not really unless there is damage to the car! Better to report to the police and make an official report for just in case.

FF2006

It won't hurt to report it. That way you've covered all basis. The other party didn't want to give you their info because they probobly didn't even have insurance. I believe the rule of thumb is $500 of damage or more needs to be reported. But, good job on taken plates. Maybe they're wanted..........
Call and ask local police department or your insurance company.

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