If you get into a fender bender, you might not see the need to contact the insurance provider or invest in car repair if there’s minimal damage. Even if your car is relatively unscathed, there are still situations when it’s best to let your insurer know about the accident because doing so could reduce future headaches. The following information sheds light on when you should reach out to your lender and when you could forgo their assistance.

Report Fender Benders With Other Motorists

If you’ve gotten in an accident with another driver, it’s in your best interest to report it to the auto insurance company. In an attempt to not involve insurers, some motorists make personal arrangements to cover the complete or partial cost of car repairs. Often, drivers fail to anticipate the amount of work needed and the associated expenses. This increases the risk of the agreement falling apart. By alerting your insurer about the accident, you can file a claim and rest easy knowing you’ll get the funds to fix the damage.

As part of the insurance policy, you’re also required to report accidents. If the damage is unaddressed, it could affect the frequency in which you file future claims. Reporting the accident now could prevent your insurance premiums from becoming higher later. If another person was injured in the accident, reporting the collision will protect you from liability.

Don’t Call the Insurer If Damage Is Isolated

Although you should alert the auto insurance company in most cases, you could avoid the phone call if you caused minor damage to your vehicle or property. This can include scraping the automotive paint when backing up out of the garage or puncturing tires when rolling over debris on the pavement. If the damage is minimal and you don’t plan to file a claim, you could decide not to let the insurer know. You should also consider paying out of pocket for repairs in the case of minimal damage, as it could take less out of your bank account than paying insurance deductibles.

Even if you don’t see signs of damage following a minor fender bender, you should still take your vehicle to the car repair specialists at C & H Body And Fender in Honolulu, HI. With over 30 years of experience, their team of skilled technicians will fix mechanical problems, provide auto dent repair, apply new paint, and perform additional work to restore your car to its previous condition. To schedule car repair on Oahu, call (808) 841-3618. Visit the collision repair shop online for additional service information.