When it comes to reporting accidents, the general rule is quicker is better. Most insurance companies expect you to report an accident as soon as possible, ideally within 24 to 72 hours after the incident.
Prompt reporting allows your insurer to:
- Gather fresh evidence
- Interview witnesses while memories are still clear
- Assess damages accurately
- Provide you with immediate assistance if needed
But what if you can’t report the accident right away? Don’t panic!
While it’s best to report quickly, many insurers understand that circumstances may prevent immediate notification.
What Does Your Policy Say?
The specific timeframe for reporting an accident can vary depending on your insurance policy.
Let’s look at the language in the standard ISO auto insurance policy form, which many insurers use as a basis for their policies:
“A person seeking any coverage must:
1. Cooperate with us in the investigation, settlement or defense of any claim or suit.
2. Promptly send us copies of any notices or legal papers received in connection with the accident or loss.
3. Submit, as often as we reasonably require:
a. To physical exams by physicians we select. We will pay for these exams.
b. To examination under oath and subscribe the same.
4. Authorize us to obtain:
a. Medical reports; and
b. Other pertinent records.
5. Submit a proof of loss when required by us.”
Notice how the policy uses the word “promptly”? This emphasizes the importance of timely reporting without specifying an exact deadline.
Every accident or claim has a different set of circumstances, and the time it takes to document and collect information can vary.
Because of this, its difficult for a company to set a specific timeframe to report your accident or claim.
However, some states have their own requirements for accident reporting. These laws can impact how quickly you need to inform your insurer.
For instance, in New York, you must file a Report of Motor Vehicle Accident form within 10 days if the accident caused injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000.
It’s always a good idea to contact your insurance company if you have questions about how long you have to report an accident. The language in your policy may be different from the example ISO language we quoted above, so check with your company just to be safe.
Consequences of Delayed Reporting
You might be wondering, “What’s the worst that could happen if I wait too long?” Well, delaying your accident report can have serious consequences:
- Your claim might be denied
- You could lose valuable evidence
- The other party might file a claim first, potentially biasing the investigation
- You may violate the terms of your policy
Imagine trying to remember every detail of an accident weeks after it happened. Not so easy, is it? This is called “memory decay” or another term is “forgetting curve”.
Here are some studies and statistics that show how quickly we forget important details:
- Immediate recall vs. delayed recall: Studies have shown that people can recall about 50-80% of details immediately after an event. However, this drops to 20-50% after just one day.
- Traffic accident specifics: A study by Chapman and Underwood (2000) found that drivers’ recall of specific driving incidents decreased significantly over just a week. After one week, participants could only remember about 60% of the incidents they had initially reported.
- False memories: As time passes, people are more likely to fill in memory gaps with false information. A study by Loftus and Palmer (1974) showed that the way questions are phrased about an accident can influence memory, with participants “remembering” details that didn’t actually occur.
- Stress and memory: High-stress situations, like accidents, can affect memory formation and recall. While some details may be enhanced (like the central aspects of the event), peripheral details are often poorly remembered.
- Time estimation: People tend to overestimate short durations and underestimate long durations. This can affect how accurately they report the timing of events in an accident.
As humans, we simply tend to forget things over time. And the more time that passes, the less clear our memories are. This just reinforces the importance of prompt documentation and reporting of an accident so the facts don’t get muddled or forgotten.
Best Practices for Accident Reporting
You can’t predict when you’ll be involved in an accident, but here are some ways to ensure you’ll be prepared to handle the situation:
- Keep your insurance card and policy information in your car
- Save your insurer’s contact information on your phone
- Document the accident scene with photos and notes
- Collect contact information from witnesses
- Report the accident to your insurer as soon as it’s safe to do so
While the exact timeframe for reporting an accident can vary, the golden rule is simple: report it as soon as possible.
By doing so, you protect your interests and ensure a smoother claims process. Remember, your insurance company is there to help you in times of need. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them promptly after an accident.
During his career as an independent insurance agent, Ryan Grabenstein was appointed with Progressive, Allstate, Nationwide, Travelers, and many smaller regional and mutual companies. He has a Bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) personal and commercial lines training.