Call police — no driver form
- When
- Injury, death, or property damage of $4,000 or more (combined).
- Report to
- Local police, county sheriff, or North Dakota Highway Patrol
Official source: ND Highway Patrol — Crash reporting threshold
The threshold rose to $4,000 on August 1, 2019. Crash reports cost $7.
What to do after a car accident in North Dakota
- Stop, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move to safety if you can.
- Call police if the crash meets North Dakota'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 North Dakota compares with bordering states
Rules change at the state line. What applies is usually the state where the crash happened.
| State | Rule | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | Call police — no driver form | — |
| Minnesota | No driver form accepted | — |
| Montana | You file only if police didn't | Written report within 10 days |
| South Dakota | Confirm with your state | Immediately |
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 North Dakota'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 North Dakota?
You must notify police — there's no separate driver form. In North Dakota that applies to: injury, death, or property damage of $4,000 or more (combined).
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.