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How do I pay for a car accident without involving my insurance?
I was just in a pretty minor accident, and I think I'd rather pay for the damages out-of-pocket instead of dealing with higher premiums. How do I pay for a car accident without involving my insurance?
Nick Kunze · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
It is your choice if you want to file an insurance claim after an accident, but be cautious about making this decision. The way you go about paying for damages without insurance depends on the circumstances of the accident.
If you’ve been in a single-vehicle accident without damage to anyone else’s property, it is your choice if you want to report it. If you get a repair estimate and can afford to pay the expenses out-of-pocket, this may be preferable to increasing your premiums by filing a claim.
If you were in a two-vehicle accident, you should still
follow all the steps
you’d make if you were going to file a claim:- Document the accident
- Exchange information
- File a police report
However, if both parties agree to settle without insurance, that is fine. If it is decided that you were at fault, you will pay for the other driver’s repairs, or vice-versa. But be warned: repairs can be expensive, and unexpected medical issues caused by the accident can really wrack up the costs.
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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.
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