You must file your own report
- When
- Injury, death, or total property damage of $2,000 or more.
- Report to
- Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (and the local police department if the crash was inside a municipality)
- Deadline
- Within 10 days
- Form
- Alaska Motor Vehicle Crash Form 12-209
Official source: Alaska DMV — Report a Crash
The 12-209 can be submitted online. Alaska also uses it for smaller crashes ($501–$2,000) as proof of liability insurance.
What to do after a car accident in Alaska
- Stop, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move to safety if you can.
- Call police for any crash with injuries or significant damage. Ask for the report number.
- Exchange names, contact, license, plate and insurance details with every driver involved. Use our accident information worksheet.
- Photograph every vehicle, the plates, the damage and the scene, and get witnesses' names and numbers.
- File your own report (Alaska Motor Vehicle Crash Form 12-209) with Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (and the local police department if the crash was inside a municipality) — within 10 days .
- Notify your insurance company promptly, as your policy requires, and start a claim communication log.
If your car was totaled or damaged
Reporting the crash is only the first step. If your insurer says the car is a total loss, check Alaska's total-loss threshold and run the offer through the Total-Loss Offer Audit. If it was repaired, you may have a diminished-value claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report a car accident in Alaska?
Yes. In Alaska you must file your own written crash report when: injury, death, or total property damage of $2,000 or more.
What form do I use to report a crash in Alaska?
Alaska Motor Vehicle Crash Form 12-209, filed with Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (and the local police department if the crash was inside a municipality). Download it from the official source: Alaska DMV — Report a Crash.
How long do I have to report a car accident in Alaska?
Within 10 days — to Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (and the local police department if the crash was inside a municipality).
Does reporting the crash to the state start my insurance claim?
No. A police or state crash report and an insurance claim are separate. Notify your own insurer promptly as your policy requires, and file a claim with the at-fault driver's insurer if someone else caused the crash.