{"id":320860,"date":"2025-11-07T14:45:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-07T19:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/?p=132129"},"modified":"2025-11-07T14:45:00","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T19:45:00","slug":"when-not-to-file-a-claim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/insurance\/car\/when-not-to-file-a-claim\/","title":{"rendered":"When Not to File an Auto Insurance Claim"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n

The situation is all too familiar. Maybe you nicked another car while parallel parking or backed into the cement wall of a parking garage. Maybe you were even involved in a more serious fender bender and the other driver suggests settling the damages with a cash payment. If this is your first time in an accident, you may be unsure of what to do next. In all of these scenarios, you may be wondering if you should file a claim<\/a> with your auto insurance provider. You may worry that making a claim will raise your premiums<\/a> or make the situation more complex. One reason to weigh the decision carefully: overall auto insurance prices jumped in recent years as repair and medical costs climbed, a trend reflected in the U.S. CPI for motor vehicle insurance (BLS<\/a>), so any post-claim surcharge now sits on top of a higher baseline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First of all, take a breath; accidents happen. The most important thing is making sure that you, your passengers, and any other drivers involved are safe. Once you have resolved any immediate concerns at the scene of the accident, you can begin deciding whether or not to file an auto insurance claim. Insurers encourage prompt notice because early First Notice of Loss (FNOL) speeds triage, rental setup, photo estimating, and parts ordering as more claims move to digital and telematics-enabled workflows (CCC Crash Course<\/a>; LexisNexis U.S. Auto Insurance Trends<\/a>). This is especially useful if another party is involved or injuries surface later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there are some instances when filing a claim may not be necessary. Below, we walk through common scenarios where you might file versus pay out of pocket. Keep in mind that modern vehicles often require ADAS sensor scans and calibrations even for \u201cminor\u201d bumper, windshield, or mirror damage, which can materially increase repair costs and cycle time (CCC Crash Course 2025<\/a>). When in doubt, get a professional estimate before deciding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You Should File an Auto Insurance Claim If\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are injuries (even minor ones)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In many states, called no-fault states<\/a>, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays first for you and your passengers\u2019 medical expenses regardless of fault. As of 2025, the 12 no\u2011fault jurisdictions are Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky (choice), Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey (choice), New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania (choice), and Utah (Insurance Information Institute<\/a>; NCSL<\/a>). These systems also limit lawsuits unless an injury meets a state-defined threshold. If you are at fault in a tort state, your liability coverage pays others\u2019 injuries. Because medical bills can escalate and seemingly minor injuries may worsen, promptly reporting the incident helps ensure coverage and documentation if a claim or lawsuit follows (see state regulator guidance for examples: New York DFS<\/a>; Massachusetts<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When another driver is involved<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Filing a claim is recommended anytime a collision involves another driver. Fault determinations are handled by insurers and, when applicable, police. Private \u201ccash deals\u201d can unravel if unseen damage or injuries emerge. Digital FNOL, dashcam clips, and connected\u2011car crash detection can speed liability decisions and repairs (CCC<\/a>). Even when you\u2019re not at fault, rating practices vary by state: national data shows a typical change around +0% to +4% after a not\u2011at\u2011fault accident, but some states restrict these surcharges\u2014California, for example, generally bars rate increases for not\u2011at\u2011fault accidents (Insurance.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are heavy damages to vehicles or property<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Insurance exists to absorb large losses so you don\u2019t pay them all at once. If you cause significant damage to someone else\u2019s car or property, your liability coverage applies; if your own vehicle sustains major damage, collision coverage pays (minus your deductible), and a comprehensive claim applies to perils like theft, hail, or animal strikes. Surcharging practices differ by claim type: a single comprehensive claim typically has little to no impact (about 0%\u20133% on average), while a chargeable at\u2011fault collision tends to drive the largest increases (Insurance.com<\/a>; Forbes Advisor<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You Shouldn\u2019t File an Auto Insurance Claim If\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You are the only person involved<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you back into a post and put a dent in your bumper with no injuries or third\u2011party damage, you may decide not to file. Liability insurance\u2014required in every U.S. jurisdiction except New Hampshire as of 2025\u2014doesn\u2019t pay for your own car; it pays others when you\u2019re at fault (Virginia DMV<\/a>; AAA Digest<\/a>). For your car, Collision coverage<\/a> is optional unless your lender\/lessor requires it, which is common for financed or leased vehicles (Triple\u2011I<\/a>; NAIC<\/a>). If you don\u2019t carry collision, you\u2019ll pay out of pocket for your own vehicle damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is only a small amount of damage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even if you have collision, it can be reasonable to skip a claim for cosmetic, sub\u2011deductible damage. Typical collision deductible choices range from about $250 to $2,500; pick the highest you could comfortably pay tomorrow and confirm the premium savings versus risk over 3\u20135 years (NAIC<\/a>). Also weigh claim type: a single comprehensive claim is often not surcharged (around 0%\u20133% when it is), while a chargeable at\u2011fault collision can raise rates far more (Insurance.com<\/a>; Forbes Advisor<\/a>). Finally, late\u2011model vehicles with ADAS may need sensor calibration even after \u201cminor\u201d hits, which can push a repair above your deductible (CCC Crash Course 2025<\/a>). For more on claims decisions, see file a claim<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will My Auto Insurance Premiums Increase After a Claim?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Maybe. It depends on several factors<\/a>, including your claim history, driving record, and policy. Current national analyses show that a single at\u2011fault accident commonly raises full\u2011coverage premiums about 42% to 56% on average, depending on methodology (NerdWallet<\/a>; Bankrate<\/a>; Insurance.com<\/a>; The Zebra<\/a>). Not\u2011at\u2011fault accidents average around 0%\u20134% nationally and may be 0% in states that bar such surcharges (e.g., California), while a single comprehensive claim typically changes rates about 0%\u20133% when surcharged at all (Insurance.com<\/a>; Forbes Advisor<\/a>). For context, one speeding ticket is often +20% to +30% and a DUI roughly +60% to +90% on average (NerdWallet<\/a>; The Zebra<\/a>). Surcharges typically last 3\u20135 years and may taper if you remain claim\u2011free (Insurance.com<\/a>). To visualize the dollars, applying a ~45% surcharge to Bankrate\u2019s recent average full\u2011coverage premium (~$2,543) adds roughly $1,100 per year\u2014on top of generally higher base rates noted by the BLS<\/a>. If you have \u201caccident forgiveness,\u201d it may prevent a first at\u2011fault surcharge, but programs vary by carrier and state and typically apply only once: see examples from Progressive<\/a>, GEICO<\/a>, Liberty Mutual<\/a>, Nationwide<\/a>, and USAA<\/a>. For historical context, see a 2020 study from Coverage<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some additional factors that may lead to a premium increase if you file a claim:<\/p>\n\n\n\n