Confirm with your state
- When
- Police must file a report for crashes with injury, death, or more than $1,000 of property damage.
Official source: Connecticut DMV — Forms
We could not confirm from Connecticut's official DMV pages whether drivers must also file their own report. Ask the investigating police department, or contact CT DMV.
What to do after a car accident in Connecticut
- Stop, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move to safety if you can.
- Call police if the crash meets Connecticut's rule above — as soon as you can.
- 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.
- Keep the police report number — your insurer will ask for it.
- Notify your insurance company promptly, as your policy requires, and start a claim communication log.
How Connecticut compares with bordering states
Rules change at the state line. What applies is usually the state where the crash happened.
| State | Rule | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | Confirm with your state | — |
| Massachusetts | You must file your own report | Within 5 days |
| New York | You must file your own report | Within 10 days |
| Rhode Island | You must file your own report | Within 21 days |
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 Connecticut'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 Connecticut?
Check with the state. Police must file a report for crashes with injury, death, or more than $1,000 of property damage.
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.