After a collision, adrenaline is high and it is easy to lose track of time.

A common question I get is about the deadline for filing an insurance claim. While the specific legal requirements can depend on your policy and state statutes, my advice is simple: do not wait.

The 24-Hour Rule

My golden rule for clients is to file your claim—or at least contact my office—within 24 hours of the incident. The sooner we know about it, the sooner we can protect you. If you wait days or weeks, memories fade, evidence disappears, and the process gets much harder.

The First Step

Before you even think about filing, make sure you get a police report. If there are no police on site, get to the nearest station as quickly as you can to file one .

However, the most critical step is to call us first. Before you call the 1-800 number for Allstate or the other driver’s insurance, call your local agent. We will guide you on whether you should file with us or if you should be filing against the other party’s insurance.

We help you make the strategic move right from day one.