Do I Need to Report to My Insurance If I Get Rear-Ended?
2 Answers
If your car is rear-ended and the other party is fully at fault, you do not need to involve your own insurance. The at-fault party should notify their insurance company, which will assess the damage and provide compensation. If the at-fault party does not have insurance, they are responsible for covering all damages. Below are the relevant provisions from the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China": 1. Article 73: The traffic management department of the public security organ shall promptly prepare a traffic accident certification based on the on-site investigation, inspection, and relevant testing or appraisal conclusions, which serves as evidence for handling the traffic accident. The traffic accident certification shall specify the basic facts, causes, and responsibilities of the parties involved and shall be delivered to the parties. 2. Article 74: In case of disputes over compensation for traffic accident damages, the parties may request mediation from the traffic management department of the public security organ or directly file a civil lawsuit with the People's Court. If the parties fail to reach an agreement through mediation or do not fulfill the mediation agreement after it takes effect, they may file a civil lawsuit with the People's Court.
When I first got my driver's license, I was rear-ended too, and it was quite nerve-wracking. That time, I was waiting at a red light when suddenly there was a loud bang—a car behind me hit mine. After getting out, the other driver and I exchanged contact information and took photos of the scene, including the license plate number and the damaged areas. I reported it to my insurance company immediately afterward. Even though it was later confirmed that the other party was fully at fault, filing a claim helped avoid disputes. If I hadn’t reported it, the other driver might have denied responsibility or become unreachable, leaving me to cover the repair costs myself and potentially complicating future claims. Looking back now, reporting it to insurance was also a way to protect myself, making the whole process more reassuring. My advice to everyone in a similar situation: first ensure safety, then notify your insurance company and follow the proper procedures—don’t cut corners for convenience.
