Check for injuries first and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Then take photos, exchange information and report the claim the same day. Don't say "it's my fault" at the scene. In California, if anyone is injured or any party's damage exceeds $1,000, you must file an SR-1 with the DMV within 10 days. If the other driver is at fault, you can usually claim directly with their insurer and avoid your own deductible.
At the scene
Stop, hazards on, check for injuries; take photos and exchange names, licenses, plates and insurance.
Same day
Report through your insurer's app, website or the number on your ID card and note the claim number.
Afterwards
If the other driver is at fault, use their insurance; if not, use your Collision or UMPD.
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The 8-step scene checklist
Stop and turn on hazards
Check for injuries. Call 911 if anyone is hurt.
Photograph and record
Both vehicles, the point of impact, plates, the road and parking area.
Save dashcam footage
Save dashcam or Tesla footage right away before it is overwritten.
Exchange information
Names, phone numbers, licenses, plates, registration, insurer and policy number.
Describe facts, admit nothing
Don't say "it's my fault." The insurer decides fault after investigating.
Report the claim the same day
Use your insurer's app, website or ID-card phone number and note the claim number.
If your own car needs repair
Your Collision coverage requires your deductible; handling only the other car's damage does not.
File the SR-1 on time
If anyone is injured or any party's damage exceeds $1,000, file an SR-1 with the California DMV within 10 days.
The SR-1 goes to the DMV and is separate from your insurance claim. You need both. Missing it can affect your license.
Their insurance or yours?
- File a third-party claim with their insurer
- You need their policy number, time, place and what happened
- Repairs usually cost you nothing
- Rental during repairs can be claimed too
- Use your own Collision and pay your deductible
- Your insurer recovers from the other side
- Your deductible may be refunded if recovered
- If uninsured, check UMPD (usually up to $3,500 in California)
Towing and rental
Towing has distance and count limits; check your policy. For newer cars, tow to a manufacturer-certified shop with good reviews and give them your claim number.
Rental depends on whether you carry Rental Reimbursement. Daily limits of $25 to $50 are common and often below actual rental prices.
A real case: a scrape, other driver at fault
A client's Tesla was scraped and the other driver was at fault. His own deductible was $2,500, so we advised filing directly with the other driver's insurer. They estimated the damage remotely and paid for the repair.
Results depend on individual circumstances. Identifying details removed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I withdraw a claim after filing?
Withdrawing is more common before the insurer decides fault. After fault is decided it may be too late, and it won't necessarily clear your record.
The insurer's website only lets me report hitting someone. How do I report being hit?
File a third-party claim with the other driver's insurer using their policy number, or ask your own insurer to help.
The other insurer won't return calls. What now?
Keep following up; if it drags on, you can use your own Collision and let your insurer recover the cost.
My car was totaled. Should I cancel my policy?
Not yet. Replacing the car on your existing policy is usually safer; a new policy after cancelling can be harder and more expensive.
This article is general information for California and is not a promise of coverage or claim payment. Coverage, pricing and terms depend on each insurer's policy and underwriting.