Is It Worth Reporting a Minor Car Accident to Insurance Companies?

When you get into a major car accident in St. Louis, you know that you should call the police and contact your insurance company. However, what if you get into a minor accident, like a fender bender? Should you notify your insurance company in that case? Many people think that this is not necessary. They don't want to get the police involved, and they don't want a higher insurance premium. 

However, even a minor accident may lead to consequences, and you might even be breaking the law if you don't report an accident...even a minor one. 

Powell Law Firm in St. Louis has seen firsthand how quickly a small car crash can turn into a legal and financial burden. Not reporting certain accidents could even lead to fines, loss of car insurance, or full suspension of your driver's license. 

Should you report a small accident or just take care of it privately? Let's find out.

What Qualifies as a Minor Car Accident or Fender Bender?

Knowing what a minor accident actually is can help you determine if you should file a car insurance claim or not. In general, a minor accident is one with little or no injuries and only limited damage to property. Examples are: 

• Low-speed collisions in parking lots.

• Rear-end crashes at stoplights, where the impact is light.

• Door dings or scratches when backing out of a driveway.

• Fender benders in heavy traffic.

Though these accidents don't always appear serious, they definitely can be. Cars are meant to absorb an impact, and even a small collision can cause damage to the frame, the suspension, or internal components. Physical injuries, like whiplash or soft tissue damage, like bruises, may not appear until several hours or even days after. 

Why Drivers Often Avoid Reporting a Minor Accident

Many drivers wait or hesitate to report a crash to their insurance company after a minor accident. They do this for the following reasons: 

• Fear of higher premiums — drivers involved in a car accident worry that even a small claim will raise rates.

• Assuming it’s too small to matter — if both parties say, “It’s fine,” reporting the accident to your insurance provider feels unnecessary.

• Avoiding hassle — paperwork and phone calls can seem like more trouble than the damage is worth.

• Private agreements — some drivers try to settle directly with the other party, paying for repairs out of pocket instead of notifying the insurance company after an accident.

While all of this is understandable, it can create issues later. You might agree with the other driver that you will both share costs or take care of the issues, but what happens if repair costs are high or if the other driver tries to put all of the fault on you? It's also possible that if you don't report the car accident to your insurance company, even if it's minor, they can penalize you. For more information, best auto accident lawyers in St Louis may be able to help.

The Risks of Not Reporting an Accident to Your Insurance Company

Not reporting a car accident to an insurance company carries some risks. These include: 

• Insurance policy requirements: Most policies specifically require you to report an accident. If a driver chooses not to, the insurance company may later deny coverage for damages or injuries.

• Hidden injuries: Many crash victims develop pain or medical complications days later. Without an insurance claim on file, covering medical costs may become difficult.

• Hidden vehicle damage: A bumper that looks slightly dented may conceal frame damage, which is far more costly to repair than replacing a piece of metal.

• Legal disputes: The other driver could file a claim days or weeks later. If there is no official record, the situation becomes one person’s word against another’s.

Powell Law Firm has worked with clients who initially assumed everything was fine, only to face unexpected medical bills or legal demands later. They can help answer questions like Is it worth getting a second medical opinion after a car accident? Reporting car accidents provides a layer of protection that drivers cannot get by keeping quiet.

Benefits of Reporting Even Small Accidents - File a Claim and Report a Car Accident

Though it may seem like a hassle, reporting a minor accident does have some benefits:

• Creates an official record: This protects the driver if the other party changes their version of events.

• Covers medical expenses: If injuries are discovered later, insurance coverage will be available.

• Addresses hidden damage: Adjusters can assess the vehicle more thoroughly, ensuring repairs go beyond cosmetic fixes.

• Ensures compliance with law and policy: Missouri law and most insurance agreements require drivers to file a report, so drivers avoid penalties by doing so.

When drivers file a police report and an accident claim with their insurance information, drivers protect themselves against the unexpected. Even a scratch can turn into a lawsuit if the other party claims injuries after the fact.

Missouri Law and Insurance Requirements 

In Missouri, drivers are required to report certain accidents to the Department of Revenue. These include the following cases:

• The crash involves injuries or fatalities, or

• Property damage exceeds $500.

Failing to report any accident under these circumstances may result in penalties, including suspension of driving privileges. 

In addition to state law, insurance companies often have their own requirements. Some require that you report the incident within a certain amount of time. If you don't do this, and you need to use the insurance after all, it would be considered a failure to report, and most insurance companies will refuse to cover claims. 

Powell Law Firm knows that Missouri drivers often underestimate how quickly costs add up following an accident. What might look like $300 in damage can quickly rise over that $500 legal threshold, and a driver's insurance company can refuse to cover that. If you are legally required to report the accident to the police and your car insurance company, you should do it. 

Also, it's important to mention that if it's your first accident or you have accident forgiveness, reporting the accident to your insurance company after a car crash may not have any effect on your car insurance policy price.

When It Might Make Sense Not to Report a Minor Car Accident

There are rare scenarios where drivers may choose not to report an accident. These include:

• Extremely small damage: A scratch or dent that clearly falls below the deductible amount.

• No other parties involved: For example, a driver scraping their own mailbox or fence.

• No injuries whatsoever: And no chance of another person later filing a claim.

Even in these cases, the driver assumes risk. Without a report, the insurer may refuse to cover damages if the situation escalates. Powell Law Firm stresses that exceptions are rare, and reporting is generally the safer course of action.

Work with a Car Accident Lawyer - Powell Law Firm

"Do I have to report a car accident to my insurance company?"

Probably. At first glance, a minor accident may not seem worth the trouble of contacting an insurance company. However, hidden injuries, costly repairs, and potential disputes can quickly transform a small fender bender into a serious financial burden.

Missouri law and most insurance policies require that an accident be reported in most cases. By reporting even small accidents, drivers protect themselves from unexpected claims, ensure compliance, and secure coverage for any medical or repair costs that surface later.

Powell Law Firm encourages drivers in St. Louis to take the safer route: when in doubt, use your insurance after an accident. You should also contact police to report accidents, even minor accidents. This gives you a copy of the police report, which may be important after the fact when you need an accident report. 

A few minutes of inconvenience today on the accident scene to file an insurance claim for vehicle damage can prevent months of stress tomorrow.