Related Questions from DMV Answers

• Where do I submit my accident report form?

  Most states require you to file an accident report form at your DMV or other state driver license or motor vehicle agency (for purposes of this grid, “DMV” covers all those) or law enforcement agency following a car accident. Many states provide the forms online or in your local office, but you might need to obtain one from the police or your insurance agency.Each state sets its own accident criteria (i.e. how much property damage, whether an injury or death occurred) and the amount of time you have to file the accident report form. Be sure to file within that time period; otherwise, you could face penalties such as fines or license suspension.Note that even if the grid doesn’t mark the police for your state, you might still be required to contact them immediately following a car crash. Check for your state in the grid below.
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• When do I have to file an accident report?

  An accident report usually needs to be filed whenever there is an injury or death, or property damage of a certain dollar amount, or both. Even if the police come and take a report at the scene of the car accident, it’s your responsibility to make sure it’s properly filed and to file it yourself if it wasn’t. Make sure you have enough insurance to cover any incident that might arise.
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• What are the DMV insurance requirements?

  Obtaining auto insurance is an important part of owning your own vehicle. In fact, you can't legally drive your vehicle unless it is properly insured. However, in the United States, each state is free to set its own requirements regarding the financial responsibility of vehicle owners. Minimum DMV car insurance requirements for each state are expressed in a three number format. The first two numbers indicate the amount of bodily injury liability insurance a driver must have, with the first number acting as the per person limit and the second number indicating the coverage per accident limit. The third number in the insurance equation is for property damage liability coverage. In some states, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is required as part of the auto insurance policy. In the event of an accident, this type of auto insurance pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and/or funeral costs. Keep in mind that each state sets car insurance requirements at a bare minimum. Depend...
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• Will tickets from other states affect the status of my driver’s license?

  The answer depends on where you live, where you got the ticket, the type of ticket, and the current number of points on your driving record. The Driver License Compact (DLC) is an agreement between 46 states to share driver’s license information with its members. This includes alerting home states when a driver is convicted of a serious moving violation in another participating DLC state, such as: Manslaughter or negligent homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle. Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence. Failing to stop and offer aid in the event of a motor vehicle accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another person. Usually, information about less serious offenses, like parking infractions, speeding tickets, and failing to yield violations aren’t reported to the home states. And, even those infractions that are reported may not result in points being assessed on your license; instead, the offense may just be noted on your d...
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• What are the different types of car insurance I might need?

  Well-rounded auto insurance coverage should include a combination of the following types of protection:Comprehensive: This covers damage to your vehicle caused by fire, flood, lightning, hail, wind, and other natural causes. But, it also offers financial protection against theft and vandalism, or if you hit an animal.Collision: This pays for damages done to your vehicle due to an accident with another vehicle or a stationary object, such as a pole or street sign.Bodily Injury/Property Damage Liability: This provides financial protection for accidents you caused; it covers the cost of damages associated with other vehicles or individuals, but doesn't pay for your own personal or property losses.Medical Payments: This can cover the cost of medical care for injuries you incurred in an accident, regardless of who caused the accident.Uninsured/Underinsured: This covers the cost of damages incurred to yourself and your property when the at-fault driver either...
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