After a car accident in California, stop, and move only if it is safe. Call 911 if anyone is hurt, swap information, and photograph everything. Report it to your insurer, and to the DMV within 10 days if anyone was hurt or damage tops $1,000. Your insurer cannot require a particular body shop.
At the scene
These steps follow the California Department of Insurance’s guide, So You’ve Had an Accident, What’s Next?
- Stop immediately, and move your vehicle only if it is safe to do so.
- Call 911 if there are injuries.
- Get names, addresses, phone numbers and driver’s license numbers from all drivers.
- Note license plates and VINs, and the names and phone numbers of passengers and witnesses.
- Photograph the damage and the scene.
- Do not sign statements about fault, and do not promise to pay for the other party’s damage. If the other party offers to pay your deductible, do not sign anything.
Which reports do you have to make?
| Report | Who files it | When |
|---|---|---|
| Your insurance company | You | Right away |
| Law enforcement | You | Right away |
| DMV SR-1 form | You, or your insurance agent, broker or legal representative | Within 10 days if anyone was injured, however minor, or killed, or if property damage is over $1,000 |
The Department of Insurance’s driving guide says to report accidents right away to law enforcement and to your insurance company. The DMV says the SR-1 is required in addition to any report you make to the police, the CHP or your insurer.
The Department of Insurance’s accident guide lists $750 as the damage threshold; the DMV, which is where you file, lists $1,000. If your damage is close to the line, filing is the safer choice.
Who decides where your car is repaired?
You do. Under California Insurance Code § 758.5, an insurer cannot require that your car be repaired at a specific repair shop. An insurer may suggest or recommend a particular shop only if you expressly ask for a referral, or if you have been told in writing that the choice is yours. If you accept a recommendation, the insurer must restore the vehicle to its pre-loss condition at no additional cost to you beyond what your policy states or the law allows. Once you have chosen a shop, the insurer may not suggest a different one.
The same section adds a protection for insurers whose policies name preferred shops: if you choose your own shop, the insurer may not limit or discount the reasonable repair costs based on what its preferred shop would have charged.
Your insurer will usually have an adjuster or appraiser look at the damage. If the damage is relatively minor, it may ask you to submit competitive repair estimates instead. Either way, it is your responsibility to sign and authorize the shop to do the work.
Marquis is an AAA Direct Repair Program shop and works with all other major carriers. We coordinate the claim with your insurer from estimate to final invoice, so you are not the go-between. Our guide to insurer-referred and independent shops explains how the two differ, and what to ask before you approve repairs lists the questions worth putting to any shop. Our services page walks through the insurance process.
Is the car safe to drive?
Not if you see fluid under the car, a warning light, a hood that will not latch, a pull in the steering, or a climbing temperature gauge. If you are not sure, get a tow.
Damage you cannot see is the common problem. After a collision, the structure can be out of factory dimensions, and sensors or cameras can be knocked out of position. At Marquis, our frame and dimensioning equipment compares your vehicle’s structure against applicable manufacturer specifications and documents the measurements when the repair plan requires it. ADAS calibration, when the repair plan and the manufacturer’s procedures call for it, goes through our trusted partner Nor-Cal Calibrations, and glass replacement goes through MGT Auto Glass. Marquis manages the repair, so you deal with one shop.
What about a rental car?
Rental reimbursement applies only if you bought rental vehicle coverage, and it pays up to a set amount per day for a set number of days. Check your policy before you rent.
Start your estimate
- Send photos from your phone. The photo estimate opens a secure form. An estimator reviews your photos, and most are reviewed within one business day. It is free, it commits you to nothing, and it does not replace your insurer’s inspection. Hidden damage can only be confirmed in person.
- Use the contact form or call (707) 544-5222.
- Come by 950 Petaluma Hill Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. We give you a free written estimate.
Hit a deer? See what to do after a deer strike.
Questions we hear after an accident
Do I have to use the shop my insurer suggests?
No. California Insurance Code § 758.5 says an insurer cannot require that your car be repaired at a specific shop.
Do I have to file a DMV report if no one was hurt?
Only if property damage is over $1,000. If anyone was injured, however minor, or killed, you must file regardless. The deadline is 10 days.
Can I get an estimate before my insurer’s adjuster looks at the car?
Yes. A photo estimate from us is free and commits you to nothing. Your insurer still inspects the car and decides what it will pay under your policy.