Can I still file an insurance claim if I didn't report the car accident immediately?
2 Answers
If you didn't report the car accident to the insurance company immediately and more than 48 hours have passed, the insurance company has the right to refuse compensation. Basic introduction to insurance claims: Article 223 of the Insurance Law stipulates that after the occurrence of an insured event, when requesting the insurer to compensate or pay insurance benefits in accordance with the insurance contract, the policyholder, the insured, or the beneficiary shall provide the insurer with all the evidence and materials they can provide that are related to confirming the nature, cause, and extent of the loss of the insured event. Claim methods: There are two ways for insurance companies to settle claims with policyholders after an insured event occurs, in accordance with the terms of the insurance contract: indemnity and payment. Indemnity corresponds to property insurance and refers to the compensation made by the insurance company based on the extent of damage to the insured property at the time of the insured event, within the insurance amount, for the loss suffered by the insured. Insurance compensation is compensatory in nature, meaning it only compensates for the actual loss, at most equivalent to the value of the damaged property, and never more than its value.
Last year I had a similar experience. I drove to the countryside for a weekend trip and accidentally scraped against a roadside tree stump. I was too panicked to report it to the insurance company at the time. It wasn't until I got home that I remembered the incident, so I quickly pulled out my insurance policy and called them. The customer service representative said it was fine—reporting within a few days of the accident is acceptable, but it's best not to exceed three days. They asked me to submit photos of the scene and a description of what happened. I took pictures of the damaged area and uploaded them via email, along with a record of the time and location. The claim was processed fairly quickly, but they reminded me to report it on-site next time to avoid delays. The key is to gather as much evidence as possible, such as witness information or surveillance footage, to make it easier for the insurance company to verify the details. Reporting the incident after the fact won't cause issues, but delaying too long might affect the process, especially when liability is involved. In the end, safe driving is the most important thing, and post-incident handling can still provide a remedy.
