How much is a DMV driving report?

Police Report Filed. Do I Inform Insurance? Driving Me Crazy

• Should I call or not.. This is driving me crazy... I really don't want to mess up my perfect driving/insurance record and don't want higher rates. I've also heard horror stories about Progressive, and am hesitant to call. This is in Nj, and I have liability only. An older relative who doesn't live with me and does not have a car/insurance of his own, borrowed my car, got into a minor accident with another driver. He hit the forward moving car as he was pulling out from a street parking stall. There's now a dent/scratches on the driver's side door of my car and squeaks if I try to open it too wide. But it's an old car, don't care about it too much. On the other hand, there's "not a single scratch" on the other car. If this is in fact true, it would seem like a waste to tell my insurance. If there is damage, I'd like to pay out of pocket. Unfortunately, neither party exchanged numbers, and I have no idea what the other party plans on doing. 1) My understanding is that DMV is notified anytime a police accident report is filed. Will my insurance definitely find out from the DMV? Will this go on my MVR record even if someone else drove my car and got into an accident? 2) As I understand, insurance follows the car. If my insurance finds out, will i have a record in C.L.U.E even though I wasn't in the accident? If so, will other insurance companies see that I was not the driver OR does that not matter? 3) Even if I contact them to report an accident only, would that still ultimately be considered "reporting a claim"?

• Answer:

  I live in Canada and work in the insurance field. But, my information might be slightly different. I also want to say that while I am not a licensed adjuster, I am part of the first notice of loss claims intake process. My answer is mainly geared towards your third question, but here's what I know: This would still go on record even if someone else drove your car and got into an accident. The reason is because insurance follows the vehicle. This means that regardless of who drives your vehicle, the vehicle is yours and as a result claims and reports have to be filed under your name and go on your record. In Canada you are at the very least required to file a report even if it's not a claim with the difference being whether or not you choose to go through insurance for the repair process. The fact that there is only liability on this car means that you are going to have to deal with repairs on your own. This does not mean that you don't have to file a claim or report though. It's just that your insurance company is less inclined to deal with the repairs because a collision occurred and you do not have collision coverage. They will expect a report from you which follows the same steps as a claim. Google your insurance company and look for their 24 hour emergency line. Contact that number and notify the claims representative that you want to file a report and not a claim because you only have liability insurance. An adjuster would still contact you on the next business day and can provide you with further guidance.