Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

Do I need to tell my insurance about every accident I'm in?

Do I need to inform my insurance of a scratch? I was scratched by another person's car. I gave them my information and they let me know the repair would be $300. I can afford to pay it out of pocket, so I was just going to do that.

avatar
Emily Maracle · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“Whether you choose to alert your insurance is your choice, but it is recommended.
By
submitting a claim
to your insurance about an accident, you’re protecting yourself. Your insurance can defend in any lawsuits or claims that arise from the accident.
While you wouldn’t need to submit a claim to your
car insurance
if you can afford to pay out of pocket, you should still inform them about the accident.
You’ll also want to sign a written agreement with the other driver to confirm you’ll be paying for the damage at the agreed amount.
Even with a written agreement, they could still try to submit a claim with your insurance. If your insurance is not aware of the accident, they may refuse to provide coverage.”
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings