Should You Report a Minor Fender Bender to Your Insurance?

The purpose of your car insurance policy is to protect your finances. But you also need to know that filing a claim will increase your premium if the damage was your fault.

So, it may not be worth reporting a fender bender that doesn't involve another vehicle, especially if the repair costs less than your deductible.

When considering whether to file a claim after a minor incident, you should understand the laws in your state, the nature of the accident, and the impact of insurance claims on your premium.

In some cases, you can pretend that scratch or ding never happened; in other situations, you'll need to take action. We'll walk you through how to decide based on your circumstances.

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Key takeaways

If you file a claim for an at-fault accident, even a minor fender bender, it could lead to an increase in your car insurance premium
You can usually avoid filing a claim if you only cause damage to your own car or property, but you should check your insurance contract
If you cause a minor accident that injures someone else or damages their property, it's in your best interest to file a claim, and you may also be legally required to report the accident

When it's your own fault and no one else is involved

If you hit a lamppost, scratch your door, or collide with a random object on the highway, you typically don't need to file a claim unless you caused someone injury or damaged their property. If you caused the fender bender and only damaged your vehicle, you're probably not contractually or legally required to tell your insurance company about it.

But you can choose to file a claim if it makes sense financially. For example, let's say you have collision coverage with a $250 deductible, and you caused a dent that will cost $1,000 to repair. You'll need to decide if the $750 claim payout is worth the increase to your car insurance premium.

If you have liability-only insurance, you probably don't need to tell your insurance company about the fender bender since your policy won't cover the damage anyway.

Do you live in an at-fault or no-fault state?

If you cause a car accident that injures another person or causes damage to their property, choosing not to report the incident to your insurance company could get you into legal trouble.

If the other driver or their passengers have any injuries, the risk of a lawsuit depends on the type of auto insurance system in your state. Car insurance laws fall into a few categories.

No-fault laws: Drivers in no-fault states file a claim with their own insurance company if they get a minor injury in a car accident, no matter who caused the crash. No-fault states set restrictions on when a person can file a lawsuit against the other driver in an accident, so it's less important to tell your insurer about a minor accident in these states. But if you caused any property damage, the other driver can still sue you. If you don't tell your insurance company, they may not defend you.
Choice no-fault laws: In these states, the other driver's right to file a lawsuit depends on whether they opted in to the no-fault system.
Tort liability or add-on laws: In tort states and add-on states, the law doesn't place any restrictions on lawsuits. The other party in the accident might offer to handle the accident without involving insurance, but there's no guarantee they won't sue you later on.

In general, if someone else is involved, reporting the accident to your auto insurance company is the best way to protect yourself. Even in a no-fault state, the other driver could sue you for property damage or exaggerate their injuries in a lawsuit. A seemingly minor injury could also turn out to require costly medical care.

Some states also require you to report certain types of accidents to your local police department. Some insurance agreements also require you to report all accidents that involve another party, and failing to do so could constitute a breach of contract.

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Repair cost vs. deductible

If you're not legally or contractually obligated to file a claim, your decision will depend on the cost of repairs, your deductible, and your auto insurer's policy regarding premium increases after a claim.

For example, let's say you scratch the paint on your driver's side door, no one else is involved, and the estimated repair cost is $400. To decide whether to file a claim, you'll need to know:

Is your deductible greater than $400? If so, it's likely not worth filing a claim.
Do you need to repair your car? If the scratched paint won't lead to rust or impact the safety of your car, you might choose not to repair it.
Will your insurer forgive the accident? Some insurers, like Progressive, forgive your first minor car accident in most states if the claim is $500 or less. The company also forgives larger accidents for certain loyal customers or policyholders who purchased accident forgiveness. If filing your claim won't raise your premium, you might as well get the reimbursement.
Is the fender bender considered a "chargeable" accident under your state's law? In some states, your insurer can't raise your premium if you file a claim for property damage below a certain amount. If your deductible is less than $400 and your state only allows premium increases for accidents that cost your insurer $500 or more, go ahead and file a claim.

A more expensive fender bender could complicate your decision further. For example, if the repair will cost $2,000, you'll need to weigh the potential premium increase against the out-of-pocket costs.

What to do after a minor fender bender

Prioritize safety: Pull over to a safe location, turn on your hazard lights, and check whether anyone involved is hurt. Call emergency services if necessary.
File a police report: If the accident involved another party, it's typically best to call the local police and report the accident, even if the damage and/or injuries seem minor.
Exchange information: If you and the other driver decide not to inform the police, make sure to exchange information. Get the other driver's vehicle information, driver's license number, and license plate number, take a picture of their insurance card, and store their contact information. If there are passengers or witnesses, take down their info as well.
Document the accident: Take photos and detailed notes about the time and location of the incident. Make sure you can see the extent of the damage in the pictures.
Call your insurance company: Notify your insurance agent, or use your insurance company's mobile app, if the fender bender involved property damage or injuries, even if another driver caused the accident.

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How claims affect car insurance rates

You won't know how a claim will impact your premiums ahead of time. The average monthly full-coverage car insurance premium for a driver with an at-fault accident on their record is $273 versus $193 for a clean record — that's about a 41% increase, according to Insurify data. Even drivers in not-at-fault accidents pay slightly higher car insurance rates on average.

But the premium increase will depend on your insurer, the severity of the accident, the laws in your state, and other factors. A fender bender typically impacts your car insurance premium for three years after you file a claim, but the exact timeline can vary by state and insurance company as well.

Since each insurance provider weighs your accident history differently when calculating your premium, you may want to compare car insurance quotes after a change in your driving record to ensure you're still getting the best price.

FAQs

How much will insurance go up for a minor bumper damage claim?

Minor bumper damage isn't likely to impact your premium as much as a major crash, but you may still see an increase in your car insurance premiums. It depends on your state's laws regarding chargeable accidents, your insurance company, and the severity of the damage.

What is the average cost to replace a car bumper?

The cost to replace your bumper depends on your vehicle and the labor costs in your area. You may pay between $100 and $1,000 to replace your car bumper, plus $200 to $600 for installation. For a newer car with integrated technology in the bumper, replacement could cost thousands. If the damage is minor, you may be able to repair your bumper for less.

How long does a fender bender stay on your insurance?

A typical fender bender will impact your car insurance rate for three years, according to the Insurance Information Institute, but the timeline can vary by state and insurance company.

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Bottom line

You may want to avoid involving your insurance company after a minor fender bender if you only damaged your own property. That's because auto insurers raise your premium after you file a claim. But if you're involved in a minor accident with another driver or you damage someone else's property, it's a good idea to inform your insurance company to protect yourself from a lawsuit. You can use your judgment based on your insurance agreement and state law.

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