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How long do I have to report a car accident to my insurance?

I was in an accident last night with another vehicle. We called the police and I have the other driver's information, but I haven't called my insurance yet. How long do I have to report the accident?

avatar
Emily Maracle · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“Accidents are extremely stressful, so remembering everything you should do after one is confusing. While most
car insurance companies
 request that you call them immediately, you shouldn’t have any issues reporting the claim today.
Often found on your declarations page, your policy terms and conditions state the specific time limit that you have to report an accident or submit a claim. In most cases, you typically have up to 30 days to submit a claim. However, the earlier you inform your insurance company, the better.
Since the accident occurred last night, calling your insurance means the incident is still fresh in your mind. You have the ability to describe the accident in more detail and answer any questions your insurance may have without being doubtful. The sooner you do this also means your insurance is less likely to
deny your claim
.
After reporting the accident and submitting a claim, you may notice that your insurance rates change. If that happens, you can shop around with companies or use
Jerry
. Jerry is a free app that provides you with competitive quotes in under a minute. Jerry can save you money and make switching insurance companies a painless process.”
More:
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