Is it bad to send photos of car accidents to your insurance company?

It’s not a bad idea to send photos of car accidents to your insurance company because photographic evidence is important when negotiating with insurance companies. Photos support claims you file. When taking after-accident pictures, get as many photos as possible and include multiple angles and shots. If you don’t take photos after an accident because you’re concerned that it is a bad idea to send photos of car accidents to the insurance company, it could affect your claims payout.

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Rachel Bodine

Insurance Feature Writer

Rachel Bodine graduated from college with a BA in English. She has since worked as a Feature Writer in the insurance industry and gained a deep knowledge of state and countrywide insurance laws and rates. Her research and writing focus on helping readers understand their insurance coverage and how to find savings. Her expert advice on insurance has been featured on sites like PhotoEnforced, All...

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Rachel Bodine
Jeffrey Johnson

Insurance Lawyer

Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...

Reviewed by
Jeffrey Johnson

Updated March 2025

Just the Basics

  • Taking accident photos and sending them to your insurance company is an important part of the claims process
  • Accident photos are key evidence when negotiating with the insurance company regarding your claim
  • When taking accident photos, it’s essential to be efficient, take more pictures than you think are necessary, and take a variety of angles and shots to capture as much information as possible

If you’ve been in an accident, is it a bad idea to send photos of car accidents to your insurance company? Are there any car and safety laws or other reasons you shouldn’t send pictures to your insurance company?

The short answer is no because sending pictures of your car accident to your car insurance company will help support the veracity of any claims you file.

Read this article for more on taking pictures for insurance claims and whether or not it’s a good idea, tips for taking the most useful photos, and more.

Before we dive into the importance of taking photos at the scene of an accident, enter your ZIP code below to get free car insurance quotes from local companies right now.

Should you take and send photos of your car accident to your insurance company?

You should take pictures after an accident and send them to your insurance company as soon as possible. Taking and sending accident photos is a critical step in ensuring you have a valid claim.

Why are accident photos so important? Taking photos ensures you have visual proof of what occurred, rather than relying on memory or the honesty and integrity of other drivers involved in the incident.

Becker Law notes that car accident photos are an important piece of evidence during negotiations with insurance adjusters.

It’s also important to note that insurance companies don’t typically use the accident photos you send in the car insurance photo inspection.

Insurance companies will send their adjusters to take pictures of your vehicle after the claims process has been initiated as a part of the damage assessment. Adjusters use these photos to help determine the cost of damages.

Read more: My Vehicle is Damaged. What do I do?

What happens if you aren’t able to take car accident photos?

If you’re injured or otherwise unable to take accident photos or the scene is too dangerous for you to walk around and photograph, don’t take unnecessary risks.

Your safety is more important than taking pictures. If your inability to take photos results from injuries, see if someone else can take pictures for you (a passenger or witness, for example).

If you’re filing and settling a car insurance claim for an accident in which you forgot or were unable to take photos, don’t worry.

While accident photos can be beneficial, not having them doesn’t mean the insurance company will deny your claim, though you may receive less compensation without photographic evidence.

If you’re concerned about the outcome of your claim, you can consider speaking with a lawyer (whether you have photos or not).

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Understanding Hail Damage and Insurance Claims

When dealing with automotive hail damage repair, it is essential to know the average cost to fix hail damage on a car and the potential average insurance payout for hail damage. The average insurance payout for hail damage on a car can vary based on the severity of the damage and your policy coverage. Submitting auto accident pictures, personal injury pictures, and car insurance images can help streamline the claims process. If you didn’t take pictures of a car accident at the time, you might face challenges in proving the extent of the damage. Always ensure you have comprehensive coverage to handle the cost to fix hail damage effectively.

Navigating Accident and Insurance Procedures

In the aftermath of an accident, documenting the incident with personal accident images for insurance, and personal accident insurance images can be crucial for your claim. If the other insurance company wants a statement, be cautious and consider legal advice before providing one. Notably, not telling insurance about a DUI accident can result in severe repercussions, including claim denial. Additionally, addressing diminished value is essential, as it can significantly impact your vehicle’s worth even after repairs. In case of total loss, a diminished value claim may be appropriate. Submitting clear insurance pictures and people’s trust insurance photos is vital. For severe incidents, fatal accident photos might be required by authorities or insurance companies for investigation and claim processing.

What are some tips for taking useful car accident photos?

If you’re wondering how to take pictures for car insurance, we have some suggestions for you to consider after you’ve called emergency services and the police and determined that you can safely move around the crash site.

When you’re gathering photographic evidence of a car accident, be sure to do the following:

How to Document a Car Accident

Do:Don't:
Take photos of the entire accident scene (video also works well for this)Take photos before calling emergency services
Take photos of all the vehicles involved in the accidentTake photos before determining it is safe to do so
Take detailed photos of the damages your vehicle sustainedTake unnecessary risks while taking the photos
Take detailed photos of the damages sustained by any other vehicles involved in the incidentAllow others to take unnecessary risks on your behalf
Take photos of any debris (ex., broken glass, plastic, etc.)
Take photos of any traffic lights, speed limit signs, and other traffic signs in the area (particularly in relation to the vehicles)
Take photos of any relevant damages surrounding the accident (dented street lights, bent street signs, etc.)
Take photos of any skid marks
Take photos (and video, if possible) of the other driver(s) involved in the accident (this is critical as evidence if the other driver[s] was impaired in any way)
Take photos and video of witnesses and witness statements (if they permit you to do so)
Take photos of the emergency response personnel at the scene of the accident
Take photos of any injuries you sustained as a result of the accident

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While you’re taking photos, it’s essential to move quickly and take as many as possible. You won’t have much time to capture the accident scene, so work efficiently. You should also ensure all photos/videos are time-stamped and that you have a mix of close-ups and wide-angle shots.

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Navigating Insurance Claims: What to Do When You Forgot to Take Pictures

If you forgot to take pictures of accident scenes, don’t panic. Most insurance companies, including Geico and State Farm, have procedures in place to handle this. For instance, you can use the Geico easy photo estimate tool to provide current images of the damage. Simply contact the Geico claims telephone number to get instructions on how to proceed. If the insurance company wants pictures of your car after an accident, take clear car pictures for insurance purposes from multiple angles. In case of hail damage to a car, similar steps apply. Contacting the State farm claims email address to send pictures is another efficient way to submit your accident car image for processing.

Interacting with Insurance Adjusters After an Accident

Dealing with an insurance adjuster can be daunting, especially if you’re unsure whether you should I give a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster. Generally, it’s advisable to consult with a lawyer before making any recorded statements. When submitting a photo estimate or car accident pictures, ensure that they accurately depict the damage. If you need to send pictures of car accidents to State Farm, using the State Farm claims email address to send pictures is a straightforward approach. With Geico, the process involves filing a claim and utilizing their photo tools. Handling these steps correctly can streamline the claim process and help in dealing with insurance adjuster inquiries more effectively.

Is it bad to send photos of car accidents to your insurance company?

No, it’s a good idea to take and send photos of a car accident to your insurance company. It’s an essential part of filing your claim and provides hard evidence of what occurred during the incident.

When photographing the scene, take as many photos as possible but don’t take any unnecessary risks.

If you were recently in an accident and need to find affordable car insurance, take a minute to enter your ZIP code in our tool below to compare car insurance rates from multiple companies for free.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get an estimate on car damage from insurance?

The time it takes to get an estimate on car damage from insurance can vary, but it generally takes a few days to a week after you file your claim and provide necessary documentation and photos.

How long does Progressive photo estimate take?

Progressive’s photo estimate process typically takes 24 to 48 hours once you submit the required photos through their app or website.

How do I upload documents to Geico?

You can upload documents to Geico through their website by logging into your account, navigating to the claims section, and following the prompts to upload files. Alternatively, you can use their mobile app.

Do insurance companies need pictures of your car?

Yes, insurance companies often require pictures of your car to assess damage accurately and process your claim.

Do insurance companies take pictures of your car?

Yes, insurance companies may take pictures of your car during the claims process or inspections to document the condition and damage.

Do insurance companies take pictures of your house?

Yes, insurance companies might take pictures of your house for home insurance policies, especially during initial inspections or when a claim is filed.

Do police take photos of car accidents?

Yes, police typically take photos of car accidents as part of their accident report to document the scene and any damage or injuries.

Does a picture of a car insurance card work?

Yes, a picture of your car insurance card is often acceptable proof of insurance, especially in digital formats or states that allow electronic proof.

Does Allstate require a home inspection?

Allstate may require a home inspection for new home insurance policies or significant policy changes to assess the property’s condition and risk.

Does car insurance cover hail damage?

Yes, comprehensive car insurance typically covers hail damage to your vehicle.

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