Ask an Agent

Have a question? We're here to help.

Ask an agent for free

Question

Should I contact the police and insurance company days after I rear ended a car?

I was driving and the lady in front of me slammed on her breaks which caused me to rear-end her. We exchanged information but we didn't think it was serious so we didn't call the police. She called me a few days later and said the damages to her vehicle were about $2,000 which was surprising. She told her insurance company that I rear-ended her but skipped the part about her slamming on her breaks. She also said she was going to call the police. I wonder in this circumstance, will the police still issue me a ticket even for an after-fact report? Should I contact my insurance company and file a claim?

Jul 28, 2021 Omaha, Nebraska

Answer

Author profile picture
Director of Insurance Content

Ava joined The Zebra in 2016 as a licensed insurance agent and writer. She now serves as director of insurance content, leading coverage strategy and…

Credentials
  • 9+ years of Experience in the Insurance Industry
It is unlikely that the other driving contacting the police days after the accident will result in any citation. Unless they were called to the scene, they probably won't even be able to write an accident report. In the majority of rear-end crashes, the driver in the back is normally considered at-fault, so it would probably be best, in this case, to contact your insurance company to begin the claims process. You do not necessarily have to get your vehicle repaired through insurance, but it's likely that you will be responsible for covering the other driver's damages. Your company will investigate the details of the incident and notify of the details if necessary.
Ask an Agent
Have a question? We're here to help.
Ask an agent for free

Insurance is complicated, but it doesn't have to be.

The Zebra searches all of the top insurance companies, in one place, so you can compare the cost and coverage you need to protect your car, home and other property.

Step 1: Tell us a little about yourself

Choose an insurance product and enter your zip code to get started.

Step 2: Sip your coffee while we find the best quotes

Enter the necessary information and then sit back while we find quotes from 100 top insurance carriers.

Step 3: Compare your quotes

Compare quotes side-by-side to find the right match for you, whether it's home, auto, or more.

Step 4: Let our agents do the hard work for you

Once you pick your policy, our agents are here to get you over the finish line. Then just relax and enjoy your savings.

Compare insurance rates today!

Pin
Shield checkmark No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.

Related Questions

Other people are also asking...

What part of my policy covers my car if I hit a pothole?

The resulting damage from hitting a pothole is actually considered an "At Fault" accident and would be covered under the collision portion of your policy. The reason this is the case is because insurance companies expect drivers to operate their vehicles safely and watch for hazards in the road to …
Aug 13, 2024 Santa Fe, NM

I was in an at-fault accident and don't have collision insurance

Unfortunately, you don't have a lot of options here unless you had specifically asked for collision and comprehensive coverage and your insurance representative never applied it or charged you for it. Collision and comprehensive is the coverage that offers physical protection for your vehicle where…
Apr 20, 2023 Bakersfield, CA

What is the statute of limitations for filing a GEICO claim?

Because of this, I recommend getting an estimate for the repairs prior to filing a claim. If the value of the repairs is less than the rate increase you would receive plus your deductible (so, $2,080 + $500 to $1,000), I recommend repairing the vehicle yourself. check our handy claims calculator to…
Aug 8, 2025 Barre, VT

Should I file a claim if I damaged my car backing out of the driveway but I only have liability?

If you only have liability coverage then you won't be able to file a damage claim. Your policy would need to include collision coverage at the time of the incident for you to be able to get it repaired through your insurance provider. Unfortunately, you aren't able to add any additional coverage af…
Aug 9, 2023 Dallas, TX