Should You Report Every Single Accident to Your Insurance Company?

Last Updated on February 5, 2026

It’s natural to wonder whether you need to report every accident to your insurance company. After all, not every incident is a major crash. Maybe somebody hit your bumper. Maybe you scraped a post pulling into your garage. Does your insurer really need to know?

Here’s the practical answer: you don’t have to file a claim for every little ding, but you should report (or at least document) most accidents—especially anything involving another driver, injuries, or damage you didn’t personally inspect and price out. Waiting can backfire if the other person changes their story, files a claim later, or hidden damage/injuries show up.

• Reporting an accident and filing a claim aren’t the same—reporting creates a record, while filing asks your insurer to pay or defend you.
• If another driver, injury, or someone else’s property is involved, you should almost always notify your insurer—even if the damage looks minor.
• State laws vary, but crashes involving injuries (and many serious-damage crashes) typically require reporting to police and/or the DMV.
• The only time you might skip reporting is a truly minor single-vehicle incident with no injuries and repair costs clearly below your deductible.

Reporting an accident vs. filing a claim: what’s the difference?

Reporting means notifying your insurer that something happened. Filing a claim means you’re asking them to pay (or to defend you if the other party makes a claim against you).

If you’re on the fence, you can call and ask how your company handles an “incident report” or “notice only” report—then decide whether it’s worth moving forward with a claim. This matters if your deductible is close to (or higher than) the repair cost.

Should you report minor accidents?

If your minor accident involves another vehicle, another person, or someone else’s property, the safest move is to notify your insurer—even if the damage looks small.

Private “cash deals” can seem tempting, but they often go sideways. The other driver can decide later that they’re injured, claim you caused more damage than you did, or suddenly report the incident to the police or their insurer. In the worst cases, you can end up stuck in a messy dispute—or accused of something you didn’t do. Involving your insurer early helps protect you from misunderstandings and insurance fraud.

Also, “minor” is often misleading. Modern bumpers, sensors, cameras, and paint work can turn a small-looking scuff into a bill that makes a claim worthwhile. And injuries (especially soft-tissue injuries) don’t always show up immediately.

Bottom line: if another party is involved, reporting is usually the smart move—even if you’re not sure you’ll file a claim.

When you should always report the accident to your insurance company

You should report the accident (as soon as you’re safe) if any of the following are true:

• There’s any injury, even if it seems minor at the scene
• Another driver, passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, or homeowner/property owner is involved
• You hit a parked car, fence, mailbox, building, or public property
• Your car is not drivable, needs towing, or has possible structural/suspension damage
• Police were called (or you plan to file a police report)
• You suspect the other driver is uninsured, underinsured, impaired, or is trying to flee

Even if you don’t end up making a claim, reporting promptly creates a paper trail and makes it harder for the situation to be twisted later.

You’re legally required to report some accidents

Separate from your insurance company, most states have rules about when you must report a crash to law enforcement and/or your DMV. The details vary, but accidents involving injury or death almost always require immediate reporting. Many states also require reports when damage crosses a certain dollar threshold or when a vehicle can’t be driven safely.

If you’re unsure, call local law enforcement and ask what’s required where you live. And regardless of whether a police report is required, it’s smart to document everything and keep records for your insurer.

What about single-vehicle accidents?

If you’re in a single-vehicle accident (for example, you clipped a curb, backed into a pole, or scraped your garage), the decision is less clear—because there’s no other driver to file a claim against you.

In general, you’ll consider paying out of pocket when all of the following are true:

• No one was injured
• No one else’s property was damaged
• The damage is clearly cosmetic and the repair cost is comfortably below your deductible
• There’s little risk of “surprise” damage (alignment, suspension, sensors, hidden bumper damage)

However, keep in mind that many insurers treat single-vehicle accidents as at-fault, and your premium can go up afterward—especially if you have other incidents on your record. If you have a strong history and accident forgiveness, the impact may be smaller, but it varies by company and state.

If you’re not sure what it will cost you long-term, ask your agent to walk through the “claim vs. pay out of pocket” tradeoff before you decide to make a claim.

How to protect yourself after any accident

Whether you report right away or not, do these things at the scene (when safe):

• Take photos/video of damage, license plates, the roadway, and any relevant signs/conditions
• Exchange contact and insurance info with the other driver (and get witness info if possible)
• Don’t admit fault at the scene (fault can be complicated—see how fault can be shared)
• If police respond, write down the report number and officer’s name

Then call your insurer and stick to the basics: what happened, where, when, who was involved, and what’s damaged. Your carrier can guide you through next steps and help you decide whether you’re better off paying out of pocket or moving forward with a claim.

FAQs on Reporting Accidents to Your Insurance Company

So, should you report every single accident?

You don’t necessarily have to report every tiny scrape, but you should report most accidents—especially anything involving other people, vehicles, injuries, or property damage you don’t fully understand yet.

The only time it may make sense not to report is a truly minor, single-vehicle incident with no injuries and damage clearly below your deductible. In nearly every other situation, reporting quickly protects you.