How Long Do You Have to File an Insurance Claim After a Car Accident?

Last Updated on December 27, 2025

After a car accident, timing matters. The longer you wait to report the crash or start the claims process, the harder it can be to prove what happened—and the easier it is for an insurer to question parts of your claim.

The tricky part is that there isn’t one universal “deadline.” Instead, you’re dealing with two separate clocks:

• Your policy’s notice requirements (how soon you must notify your insurer and cooperate with the investigation)
• Your state’s legal deadlines (statutes of limitations for filing lawsuits—and sometimes separate deadlines for police/DMV reporting)

Here’s how to think about both timelines, what to do immediately after an accident, and what happens if you already waited.

Key Takeaways

• The “deadline” to file a claim depends on both your policy’s notice requirements and your state’s legal deadlines (statutes of limitations).
• Report accidents as soon as it’s safe—waiting can make it harder to prove damages and can increase the chance of claim disputes or denial.
• Police/DMV reporting deadlines are separate from insurance claim timing, and many states require reporting for injuries or higher-dollar damage.
• If you already waited, file now and document everything; for major losses or injury disputes, legal advice may be worth it.

How Long Do You Have to File an Insurance Claim After a Car Accident?

Best practice: Report the accident to your insurer as soon as it’s safe—ideally the same day or within a day or two. Many claims can still be filed later, but delays make everything harder (witnesses disappear, video footage gets erased, damage changes, and injuries become harder to tie to the crash).

If you’re not sure how to start, follow this step-by-step guide on filing an insurance claim after an accident.

Why You Should Report the Accident Quickly

Most auto policies require prompt notice and reasonable cooperation. That doesn’t always mean “within 24 hours,” but it usually means you shouldn’t wait weeks unless you have a good reason.

Delaying can cause issues like:

• Disputes about whether damage came from this accident or something that happened later
• More scrutiny of medical treatment timelines (especially if you didn’t seek care for days or weeks)
• Slower repairs and longer rental delays while the insurer investigates

If you’re debating whether to open a claim at all (like for minor damage), this can help you weigh the pros and cons: should you make a claim after a car accident?

Different Coverages Can Have Different Practical “Timelines”

The accident itself is one event, but claims can involve different coverages. For example:

• Injury-related claims often involve more documentation and deadlines (medical records, treatment dates, wage verification). Depending on your state, you may also have no-fault/PIP rules that add extra timing requirements.
• Vehicle damage claims are often straightforward, but delays can raise questions if the damage worsens or the car is repaired before inspection.
• Non-accident claims like theft, vandalism, or storm damage are usually handled under comprehensive coverage, and those should also be reported quickly so the insurer can verify the loss.

If you’re trying to understand medical-related coverage in your policy, start here: what is medical payments coverage (MedPay)?

Police and DMV Reporting Deadlines Are Separate

Insurance claim timing is one thing; legal reporting requirements are another. Many states require a crash to be reported to police and/or the DMV when injuries occur or property damage exceeds a certain threshold.

If police respond at the scene, that usually creates a report automatically. If they don’t, you may need to file one yourself. Here’s how: how to file a police report after an accident.

How Long Do You Have to File a Lawsuit?

Even if you never plan to sue, it helps to understand the legal deadline in your state (the statute of limitations). That deadline can matter if:

• The at-fault driver’s insurer refuses to pay fairly
• Your injuries turn out to be more serious than expected
• You need to pursue compensation beyond insurance limits

Statutes of limitations vary widely by state and can differ for bodily injury vs. property damage. For a state-by-state reference, you can review this overview: https://www.valuepenguin.com/auto-insurance/how-long-to-file-insurance-claim.

What If You Already Waited to File?

If days (or even weeks) have passed, don’t assume you’re automatically out of luck. Do this now:

• Report the accident today and be honest about the timeline.
• Gather evidence (photos, videos, repair estimates, medical records, witness contacts).
• Write a short timeline of what happened and when you noticed symptoms/damage.
• Ask what they need to move forward (inspection, recorded statement, documents).

If your insurer denies the claim due to timing or disputes what’s covered, it may be worth speaking with a qualified attorney—especially if injuries are significant or large dollars are involved. Here’s when legal help can make sense: when to hire an auto insurance lawyer.

FAQs on How Long You Have to File an Insurance Claim

Bottom Line

File as soon as you safely can. Policies often require prompt notice, and states have separate legal deadlines for lawsuits and (sometimes) crash reporting. Reporting quickly protects your ability to prove the facts, speeds up repairs and payouts, and lowers the risk of avoidable disputes.