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Drivers involved in minor automobile accidents sometimes prefer to pay for the damage themselves rather than report the accident to their insurance carrier. They fear a claim may result in an increase in insurance premiums, or worse, cancellation of their policy. In the face of rapidly rising insurance rates, this practice of not notifying insurance companies of accidents appears to be increasingly popular. A driver or policyholder is generally safe in failing to make an insurance report of a minor accident involving only himself or his family members. If friends or strangers are involved, however, it is risky not to report the accident. This is true even where no one appears to be injured and the damage is modest. Most insurance policies contain a provision requiring the policyholder to notify promptly the company of any accidents in which he, his family members or his vehicles are involved. These provisions are intended to give the company an opportunity to investigate the accident while facts are still fresh, and to set aside money (called a "reserve") with which to settle any future claims. A policyholder's failure to report promptly an accident to his insurance company may cause the company
to deny coverage at a later date if a claim is presented. If a claim is presented later, or if you are sued for the accident, you do not want problems from your insurance company. In most cases, the company eventually will cover you anyway, but there is no reason to create a potential problem with coverage. Keep in mind that filing a report does not mean that a claim ever will be made. Your report is simply information for your insurance company - information to which the company is entitled by its contract of insurance with you. |