Take a breath. Here's exactly what to do — step by step. Start with a free, instant estimate from a photo of your damage — independent of any insurance company.
Your safety comes first. Even low-speed collisions can cause injuries that don't show symptoms immediately. If anyone is hurt, call 911.
A police report creates an official record of fault. Without one, it's your word against theirs. Get the report number before they leave.
Get their name, phone, insurance company, policy number, license plate, and driver's license. Photo their insurance card.
Photos of all damage from multiple angles — close-ups and wide shots. Capture both cars, debris, skid marks, and road conditions.
Don't say "I'm sorry" or admit fault. Insurance adjusters can use any admission against you. Stick to the facts.
File with their insurer. They cover repairs, rental, and medical. Your rates generally won't increase. Get your own damage estimate first so you can push back on lowball offers. Our full guide to what to do after an accident that wasn't your fault walks through the whole process.
File through your own uninsured motorist or collision coverage. You'll pay your deductible upfront — where permitted by law, some shops offer deductible assistance to reduce that cost.
File a police report immediately. Check nearby cameras for footage. Then file through your collision or UM/UIM coverage. Our hit and run guide covers which of your coverages pays and what the deductible costs you — and if it happened while you were parked, start with someone hit my parked car.
Whose insurance do I call? The at-fault driver's insurer, to open the claim — and notify your own insurer too, since most policies require it. Does liability insurance cover my car if someone hits me? Their liability coverage does; your own liability coverage never pays for your car. Hit from behind or from the side? See rear-end collisions and T-bone accidents.
Will my rates go up? Filing through the at-fault driver's insurer generally won't affect your premiums. Filing through your own coverage is riskier — some insurers raise rates even for not-at-fault claims. Knowing your repair costs upfront helps you decide whether filing is worth it.
A minor fender bender with no injuries is usually a routine insurance claim. But if any of the following apply, a free consultation is worth your time:
You were injured — even if it seems minor now. Whiplash and soft tissue injuries worsen over days. Medical bills and lost wages compound fast.
The damage is heavy — higher-damage collisions are more likely to involve hidden injuries and complicated insurance negotiations.
The other driver was clearly at fault — a police report and evidence give an attorney strong leverage for a better settlement.
Insurance is stalling or lowballing — insurers minimize payouts. An attorney knows their playbook.
PI attorneys work on contingency — no upfront cost. They take a percentage of what they recover for you.
Start with a free damage estimate. If your case qualifies, Otto can connect you with a personal injury attorney — no obligation.
Get Your Free Estimate →You choose the shop — not your insurer. Insurance companies push "preferred" shops that agree to lower rates and cheaper parts. You're never required to use them.
Get multiple estimates. Start with Otto's free auto body repair estimate, then get written quotes from 2-3 shops. If the insurer's number is low, the shop can write a supplement after teardown.
After the repair, the car is worth less. Even a flawless repair leaves the accident on the history report, and that lost resale value is often claimable from the at-fault driver's insurer — see our diminished value guide.
Rental car. If the other driver was at fault, their insurance should cover a rental while yours is in the shop. Start the process the day you drop off your vehicle.
Where Otto has a shop nearby, Otto's insurance concierge handles the whole process — towing, insurance coordination, vetted body shop, and, where permitted by law, deductible assistance. Free to use. Call (213) 514-7112.
Stay at the scene, check for injuries, call the police, exchange insurance info, and document the damage with photos. Then get a free car damage estimate before talking to insurance.
If the other driver was at fault, file with their insurer — your rates generally won't increase. If they're uninsured or fled, file through your own collision or uninsured motorist coverage. Our guide to accidents that weren't your fault covers the trade-offs.
Upload a photo of your damage using the estimate form for a free AI-powered estimate. You'll get an independent repair cost range before dealing with insurance or body shops.
If you were injured, or the other driver was at fault, a free consultation with a PI attorney is worth your time. They work on contingency — no upfront cost. See whether you need a lawyer after a car accident for the full list of signals.
Your uninsured motorist (UM/UIM) or collision coverage may pay. Our guide to accidents with an uninsured driver covers the options. Get an estimate first to know the scope.
Fault almost never lands on you — a legally parked car can't cause a collision. What matters is whether the driver left their information. If they did, you file against their liability coverage with no deductible. If they didn't, it's a hit and run and your own coverage applies. Our guide to what to do when someone hits your parked car covers the evidence steps, which are different when you weren't there.
Filing through the at-fault driver's insurer generally won't raise your rates. Filing through your own coverage is riskier — knowing your repair costs helps you decide if it's worth it.