Car accidents don't affect your credit report

Dear OYD,

Having an accident will not affect credit scores because your credit report does not include information about car accidents.

Your credit report only includes debt related information. That includes your credit accounts and public records that involve debts or monetary obligations, including court judgments, bankruptcy and tax liens.

The only way the accident could affect your credit report is if you were sued as a result and were ordered by the court to pay damages, or if the insurance companies did not cover all of the costs resulting from the accident, and you had to pay some amount personally but failed to do so. In that instance, the amount you were required to pay could be sent to a collection agency, which would then report the debt to Experian.

You should get a copy of your credit report if you are concerned that something resulting from the accident is being reported. After reviewing your credit report you will have a much better idea of what, if anything, from the accident is being reported, as well as what further actions you may need to take.

Thanks for asking.