You must file your own report
- When
- Anyone injured, or total damage to all property of $3,000 or more.
- Report to
- Vermont DMV (by email to DMV.DriverControl@Vermont.gov or by mail)
- Deadline
- Within 72 hours
- Form
- Operator Crash Report
Official source: Vermont DMV — Crashes
You must also give DMV proof that liability insurance was in force at the time of the crash.
What to do after a car accident in Vermont
- 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 (Operator Crash Report) with Vermont DMV (by email to DMV.DriverControl@Vermont.gov or by mail) — within 72 hours .
- Notify your insurance company promptly, as your policy requires, and start a claim communication log.
How Vermont compares with bordering states
Rules change at the state line. What applies is usually the state where the crash happened.
| State | Rule | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | You must file your own report | Within 72 hours |
| Massachusetts | You must file your own report | Within 5 days |
| New Hampshire | You file only if police didn't | Within 15 days |
| New York | You must file your own report | Within 10 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 Vermont'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 Vermont?
Yes. In Vermont you must file your own written crash report when: anyone injured, or total damage to all property of $3,000 or more.
What form do I use to report a crash in Vermont?
Operator Crash Report, filed with Vermont DMV (by email to DMV.DriverControl@Vermont.gov or by mail). Download it from the official source: Vermont DMV — Crashes.
How long do I have to report a car accident in Vermont?
Within 72 hours — to Vermont DMV (by email to DMV.DriverControl@Vermont.gov or by mail).
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.