You must file your own report
- When
- Injury, death, or total property damage of $1,000 or more.
- Report to
- Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)
- Deadline
- Within 10 days
- Form
- Indiana Operator's Proof of Insurance/Crash Report (SR21)
Official source: Indiana BMV — Proof of Financial Responsibility
Failure to report can lead to suspension of your license and registration.
What to do after a car accident in Indiana
- 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 (Indiana Operator's Proof of Insurance/Crash Report (SR21)) with Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) — within 10 days .
- Notify your insurance company promptly, as your policy requires, and start a claim communication log.
How Indiana compares with bordering states
Rules change at the state line. What applies is usually the state where the crash happened.
| State | Rule | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana | You must file your own report | Within 10 days |
| Illinois | You file only if police didn't | Within 10 days |
| Kentucky | You file only if police didn't | Within 10 days |
| Michigan | Call police — no driver form | Immediately |
| Ohio | Only if a driver was uninsured | — |
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 Indiana'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 Indiana?
Yes. In Indiana you must file your own written crash report when: injury, death, or total property damage of $1,000 or more.
What form do I use to report a crash in Indiana?
Indiana Operator's Proof of Insurance/Crash Report (SR21), filed with Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). Download it from the official source: Indiana BMV — Proof of Financial Responsibility.
How long do I have to report a car accident in Indiana?
Within 10 days — to Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
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.