What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident to Protect Your Rates

Protecting Your Wallet After a Crash

A car accident is a stressful event, but what you do in the first 24 hours can determine whether your insurance rates stay flat or double for the next three years. Here is the step-by-step guide to handling a claim in 2026.

Never Admit Fault at the Scene

Check for injuries, call the police, and exchange information. Do not apologize or admit fault to the other driver or the police. Let the insurance adjusters determine fault based on the facts and police reports.

Document Everything

Use your smartphone to take wide-angle photos of the entire scene, close-ups of the damage to both vehicles, and photos of the other driver's license plate and insurance card. If there are witnesses, get their phone numbers.

Decide Whether to File a Claim

This is the most critical step. If it is a single-car accident (e.g., you backed into your own fence) and the damage is $800, but your deductible is $500, DO NOT file a claim for a $300 payout. The claim will go on your record and raise your rates for years, costing you far more than $300.

Know Your Rights on Repairs

Insurance companies will try to steer you toward their "preferred" auto body shops. By law, you have the right to choose who repairs your vehicle. Get multiple estimates and choose a shop you trust to use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts, not cheap aftermarket alternatives.