Free Resource · Printable

Hemet Car Accident Checklist

Q: Do I have to use my insurance company's preferred body shop?

California Insurance Code section 758.5 generally prevents an insurer from requiring a specific repair shop. Choosing another licensed shop does not by itself eliminate coverage, but payment still depends on the policy, deductible, reasonable repair costs, authorization, and the carrier's claim decision.

A simple, step-by-step checklist for what to do at the scene, after, and during your insurance claim. Designed to be printed, screenshotted, or saved to your phone before you ever need it.

call Drive Auto Body: (951) 268-3006

If you are reading this before an accident, save it to your phone or print and put a copy in your glove box. If you're reading it right now after an accident, take a deep breath and follow the steps in order. Drive Auto Body is at (951) 268-3006 — call us anytime and we'll help walk you through it.

Before You Drive — Be Ready

Three things to keep in your glovebox or phone, today, before anything happens:

Current insurance card — Physical copy in glovebox, photo on phone. Verify the policy date. Vehicle registration — California requires registration in the vehicle. Insurance company phone number — Saved as a contact, NOT just on the back of the card. You'll be shaky and won't want to dig. Drive Auto Body's number saved — (951) 268-3006. We help with towing questions, repair-side claim guidance, and free preliminary visual estimates. Hemet Police non-emergency: (951) 765-2400. Riverside County Sheriff (San Jacinto / Valle Vista): (951) 776-1099.

Step 1 · At the Scene (First 10 Minutes)

Check yourself and passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. Don't move seriously injured people unless there is fire or oncoming traffic. Move to safety if vehicles are operable and the accident is minor. Pull onto the shoulder or out of traffic. Turn on hazard lights. Stay behind guardrails, on the sidewalk, or away from active lanes. Never stand between vehicles. Call the police. Even for minor fender-benders, having an official report protects you. Hemet PD non-emergency: (951) 765-2400. For injuries or major accidents: 911.

Step 2 · Document Everything

Your phone is the best documentation tool you have. Use it methodically — the more thorough you are now, the smoother your claim will be later.

Wide shots showing the whole scene — both vehicles, road, traffic signals, lane lines. Close-ups of every dent, scratch, broken light, and piece of debris on both vehicles. License plates of every vehicle involved. Insurance cards and driver's licenses of every other driver — clear, focused photos. Skid marks, road damage, weather conditions, and the time of day — these matter in disputes. Witness names and phone numbers — anyone who saw what happened. Independent witnesses are gold for insurance disputes.

Step 3 · Exchange Information

California law requires you to exchange the following with all other drivers involved:

Full legal name and contact phone number Driver's license number and state Insurance company name and policy number Vehicle make, model, year, color, and license plate

Don't: apologize, admit fault, or accept/offer cash settlements at the scene. What seems like minor damage on the outside can hide thousands in structural damage. Stick to the facts.

Step 4 · After the Scene

Notify your insurer as your policy requires and keep the claim number. Separately, California DMV requires an SR-1 within 10 days when anyone is injured or killed or property damage exceeds $1,000. Choose your body shop — California Insurance Code §758.5 generally prevents an insurer from requiring a specific repair shop. Coverage and payment still depend on the policy and claim decision. Read the explainer. Get a professional damage assessment — before authorizing any repairs. Modern vehicles hide significant damage in crumple zones and sensors. Learn what collision repair involves. Seek medical care based on symptoms and a qualified professional's advice; call 911 for an emergency. Keep relevant receipts and records for medical care, rental vehicles, towing, and other accident-related expenses. Reimbursement depends on coverage and the claim decision.

Need Help Right Now?

Drive Auto Body in Hemet offers free preliminary visual estimates and may help coordinate towing when available. You open the initial claim; after authorization, we help with repair documentation, adjuster communication, supplements, updates, and direct billing. Qualifying workmanship is subject to written warranty terms. Deductible assistance may be available on a qualifying repair through a separate written arrangement. See our Inland Empire cost guide for the factors that change a vehicle-specific estimate.

call (951) 268-3006 Get Free Estimate Learn about insurance claim handling →

Hemet Accident Checklist FAQ

Is this Hemet accident checklist free to print and share? expand_more

Yes. Drive Auto Body created this checklist as a free public resource. Print it, save it to your phone, share it with your family, or include it in your insurance binder. No login or email required.

Should I call the police after every accident in Hemet? expand_more

Call 911 for an injury, active traffic danger, hit-and-run, suspected crime, or other emergency. For a non-emergency collision, follow the local law-enforcement agency's reporting instructions. A California DMV SR-1 is a separate report required within 10 days when anyone is injured or killed or property damage exceeds $1,000.

What photos should I take at the scene? expand_more

Wide shots of the overall scene, close-ups of every dent and scratch, both license plates, the other driver's insurance card and license, road conditions (skid marks, traffic signals, lane markings), and any visible injuries. Modern smartphones automatically tag photos with time, date, and GPS — save these as part of your evidence.

Do I have to use my insurance company's preferred body shop? expand_more

California Insurance Code §758.5 generally prevents an insurer from requiring a specific repair shop. Choosing another licensed shop does not by itself eliminate coverage, but payment still depends on the policy, deductible, reasonable repair costs, authorization, and the carrier's claim decision. See our deeper explainer on California's right-to-choose statute.

How fast should I report the accident to my insurance? expand_more

Notify your insurer as required by your policy and keep the claim number. Separately, California DMV requires an SR-1 report within 10 days when anyone is injured or killed or property damage exceeds $1,000.

Should I see a doctor even if I feel fine? expand_more

Seek medical care based on your symptoms and a qualified professional's advice. Call 911 for an emergency. Drive Auto Body does not provide medical or legal advice.

Start Your Insurance Repair — Send Photos Now

Send your vehicle details, claim status, and a few photos of the damage. Drive Auto Body will review the next step, prepare a written estimate, and coordinate the claim with your insurance carrier directly.

This page is a free public resource maintained by Drive Auto Body. Last updated 2026-05-01. We are not an insurance company and this is not legal advice — for binding legal questions, consult an attorney.