Got rear-ended for the first time ever — do I even need to call MY insurance?

I went through almost this exact thing last year — rear-ended, other driver's fault, felt fine-ish at first. I made the mistake of NOT going to the doctor right away because I figured the soreness would pass. It didn't. By day four I could barely turn my head. Go get checked out now, not later. Seriously. Your body is in a little bit of shock right after a collision and symptoms often get worse before they get better.

Yes, notify your own insurance — but be careful how much you share with the at-fault driver's carrier. Their adjuster works for them, not you. They will be friendly and seem helpful, but their job is to close your claim as cheaply as possible. Don't give a recorded statement to the other side without thinking it through first.

Former claims adjuster here. You should absolutely notify your own insurer — most policies actually require it. It won't automatically raise your rates if you're not at fault; that's a really common fear but it depends on your state and your specific policy. What your own insurer CAN do is go to bat for you if the other carrier starts dragging their feet or lowballing your repair estimate. Think of them as backup.

Please don't ignore the neck and shoulder pain. What you're describing sounds a lot like the beginning of a whiplash-type injury, and those can sneak up on you over 48–72 hours as inflammation sets in. Get evaluated at urgent care or your primary care doctor. You'll want it documented medically — both for your health and because if symptoms do get worse later, you'll have a record showing it started right after the crash.

Two things worth knowing: First, most states and most policies have a duty-to-notify clause, meaning you're supposed to report accidents to your own insurer within a reasonable timeframe regardless of fault. Second, that medical documentation the nurse mentioned? It matters a lot if you ever need to make a bodily injury claim against the at-fault driver's liability coverage. A gap between the accident date and your first doctor visit can be used against you. Not trying to scare you, just being real.

Three things: 1) Call your insurance today, just report it, don't overthink it. 2) Go to the doctor — shoulder and neck pain after a rear-end is not nothing. 3) Don't sign or agree to ANYTHING from the other driver's insurance until you actually know the full extent of your injuries. They may try to settle fast. Don't let them.

You did a lot of things right honestly — you kept your cool, got all the info, called their insurance the same day. That's more than a lot of people do. You're already ahead of it. Just fill in the gaps (your own insurer, a doctor visit) and you'll be in decent shape.