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How long can you wait before filing an insurance claim?
Do you have to file an insurance claim right away? I was involved in an accident last week. The other driver and I agreed we wouldn't file a claim against each other. Well, when I got home, the damage was more than what I had initially thought. Is it too late to put the claim in?
Shannon Martin · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“It can be tempting to avoid putting in a claim, however when you are in an accident with another driver, it is best to do it right away. If possible, always try to do it at the scene or at least the same day.
In your situation, I suggest calling them today.
Each state and insurance company has different guidelines about reporting time. Most states allow up to 30 days to report an accident. But some states have shorter time frames. For example, New York requires an accident with more than $1,000 of
property damage
to be reported within 10 days. Insurance companies will ask questions about things people might forget if they don’t call right away. For example, asking about weather conditions is very common and not something most people will recall after a few weeks.
Depending on the fault of the claim, reporting an accident could raise the rate of your
car insurance.
If that happens, don’t worry! You can shop around for a lower rate at any time.If you want cheap car insurance quotes fast, go to
Jerry
. Jerry is a licensed broker that offers end-to-end support. This free app gathers affordable quotes, helps you switch plans, and even helps cancel your old policy for you.”View full answer
- Gregory R.
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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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