When and How Should I Report an Accident to My Insurance Company?

After the immediate chaos of a car accident has subsided, a new wave of administrative tasks begins. At the top of that list is a crucial phone call: notifying your own insurance company. For many people, this step is filled with anxiety and uncertainty. When is the right time to call? What information do I need to have ready? What should I say—and more importantly, what should I not say?

Reporting an accident to your insurer isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a requirement of your policy. Your insurance contract is a two-way street: you pay your premiums, and they provide coverage, but you also have a duty to promptly inform them of any incident that could lead to a claim.

Handling this first report correctly can make the entire claims process smoother and protect you from potential coverage disputes down the road. This guide will provide a clear, step-by-step plan for when and how to make that important call.

Useful Information for You: In a Nutshell

• When to Report: As soon as possible after the accident, ideally within 24 hours. Your policy requires “prompt” notification, and delaying the call can jeopardize your claim.
  
   
   
• Why You Must Report: It is a contractual duty. It also allows you to access your own coverages (like PIP and UIM) and protects you if the other driver later files a claim against you.
  
   
• How to Prepare: Before you call, gather your policy number, the police report number, the other driver’s information, and any photos you took at the scene.
• What to Say: Stick to the basic, verifiable facts of the accident. State the date, time, location, and the parties involved.
• What NOT to Say: Do not admit fault, speculate, downplay your injuries, or agree to give a recorded statement on this first call.
  
   

When to Report: The Importance of “Prompt” Notification

The best time to report an accident to your insurance company is as soon as you are safe and have gathered your thoughts, which for most people is within a few hours or, at the latest, the next day.

Your insurance policy contains a “Notice of Accident and Claim” clause, which obligates you to report any incident in a “prompt” or “timely” manner. While this is not a rigid deadline like the state’s statute of limitations, an unreasonable delay can give your insurer grounds to deny your claim. They can argue that the delay prevented them from properly investigating the accident while the evidence was still fresh. Don’t give them that excuse—call them as soon as possible.

Should I report the accident even if it wasn’t my fault? Yes, absolutely. Reporting the crash protects you. If the other driver is uninsured or their insurance company refuses to accept liability, you may need to use your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. You can only access these benefits by opening a claim with your own provider. It also protects you in case the other driver’s story changes and they decide to file a claim against you.

How to Report: A Pre-Call Checklist

To make the call as smooth and efficient as possible, have the following information ready before you dial the claims hotline number on your insurance card or app:

• Your Policy Number.
• The Date, Time, and Specific Location of the accident.
• A Basic, Factual Description of how the accident occurred.
• The Police Report Number, if you have it.
• The Other Driver’s Information: Name, address, phone number, and their insurance company and policy number.
  
   
• Your Photos: Have your photos of the scene and vehicle damage accessible.

What to Say (and Not Say) During the Call

Your goal on this initial call is to open a claim and provide the basic facts. This is not the time to give a detailed, speculative account.

DO:

• State the Facts: “I was involved in an accident on August 1, 2025, at approximately 9:00 AM at the intersection of 19th and Union in Tacoma.”
• Provide the Other Party’s Info: Give the information you collected.
• Report Potential Injuries: If you are feeling any pain, say so. If you are not, the safest thing to say is, “I am going to see a doctor to get checked out.”

DO NOT:

• Admit Fault: Do not apologize or say anything like, “I should have stopped sooner.”
• Speculate: Do not guess about speed or other details. If you don’t know, say “I don’t know.”
• Downplay Your Injuries: Never say “I’m okay” or “I’m not hurt.”
• Agree to a Recorded Statement: You are not required to give a recorded statement on this first call. You can politely say, “I’d like to wait until I have all the information before providing a recorded statement.”

By reporting the accident promptly and carefully, you fulfill your contractual obligations and set your claim up for success. This first call is a critical step in a long process.

If you are unsure about how to handle communications with your insurance company or are facing a complex claim in the Tacoma area, getting professional guidance is a wise decision. Search the Car Accident Lawyer Directory Tacoma to find and compare trusted local attorneys who can manage all insurance communications on your behalf and fight to ensure you are treated fairly.

References

• Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) – What to do if you have an accident and need to file a claim: Official guidance for Washington residents on their rights and responsibilities when filing an insurance claim, including the duty to notify their insurer. https://www.insurance.wa.gov/what-do-if-you-have-accident-and-need-file-claim
• Insurance Information Institute (III) – How to file an auto insurance claim: A reputable national resource that provides a step-by-step guide to the claims process, emphasizing prompt notification. https://www.iii.org/article/how-file-auto-insurance-claim