You Had an Accident in Another State. How Does the Claim Work?
Road trips, moves and visits to family put California drivers on other states' roads all the time. When something goes wrong far from home, the claim itself works much as it would here. The paperwork around it follows the rules of the place where it happened.
Whose rules apply
| Question | Usually answered by |
|---|---|
| What you must do at the scene and who you must notify | The state where the accident happened |
| Whether and how to file a state accident report | That state's motor vehicle agency or police |
| Whether your coverage applies, and its limits | Your California policy |
| How fault is decided for the claim | Commonly the law of the place of the accident; your adjuster will tell you |
The California SR 1 is for California crashes
The DMV's SR 1 is the "Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California", and its instructions describe accidents on a California street, highway or private property. For a crash in another state, check that state's own reporting requirement, usually on its motor vehicle agency's website, and keep a copy of whatever you file.
Step by step from far away
- Follow local scene rules, call local police if anyone is hurt or a vehicle cannot be moved, and get the report number and the agency name.
- Exchange the same information you would at home: names, addresses, license numbers, plates, VINs and insurance details.
- Call your insurer from the scene or that day. Ask about towing, a local shop, a rental and getting home.
- Photograph everything, including road signs and the location, since you will not be coming back to look.
- Decide where to repair. A drivable car may come home for repair; a disabled one may be repaired locally or towed. Ask your adjuster what your policy pays for each.
Getting yourself and the car home
Ask your adjuster three questions before you spend anything: how far your policy will pay to tow the car, whether rental reimbursement covers a one-way rental home, and whether the insurer will pay to transport a repaired or unrepaired car back to California. The answers depend on the coverages you carry and vary by insurance company, and they are much easier to settle before you sign a tow yard's paperwork.
Your limits on the road
Your policy's limits travel with you. Some policies include language that adjusts liability coverage to meet another state's minimum requirements when you drive there; whether yours does varies by insurance company. If you are moving to another state rather than visiting, you will need a policy that meets that state's rules once you become a resident.
Driving into Mexico is a different case
The U.S. Embassy says U.S. auto insurance is not sufficient in Mexico, and drivers should buy a separate Mexican auto policy; short-term policies are available. A Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit is required beyond the border zone, the Baja California peninsula, the Sonora Free Zone and Quintana Roo.
What can go wrong
- Leaving without a report number, which is much harder to get from home later.
- Assuming the SR 1 covers it. It does not, and the other state's requirement may have its own deadline.
- Paying for a tow and storage without asking your insurer first, then finding the yard charges daily.
Heading out on a long trip? It is a good moment to check your limits; request a quote and compare.
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Does my California car insurance cover me in other states?
Generally yes within the United States, and in many policies Canada. Coverage and how limits adjust to another state's rules depend on your policy.
Do I file an SR 1 for an accident in Nevada or Arizona?
The SR 1 is California's form for accidents occurring in California. Check the reporting rules of the state where the crash happened.
Is my California policy valid in Mexico?
No. The U.S. Embassy says U.S. auto insurance is not sufficient in Mexico; buy a separate Mexican auto policy before crossing.