{"id":5011,"date":"2024-11-07T08:20:18","date_gmt":"2024-11-07T16:20:18","guid":{"rendered":"\/wp-site\/?p=5011"},"modified":"2025-12-10T00:43:22","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T08:43:22","slug":"whats-a-fender-bender","status":"publish","type":"car-insurance","link":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/car-insurance\/whats-a-fender-bender\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Fender Bender?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You might be backing out of a parking spot when you accidentally tap the car behind you. Or maybe someone rear-ends you at a stop sign. Unfortunately, you’ve just experienced a fender bender. While the term sounds minor, fender benders are car accidents<\/strong>, and can be more consequential than you might think. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n \nJerry has helped 126,490<\/span> drivers get car insurance<\/strong>, including customers who have been in recent fender benders. Here’s everything you need to know about what it is, how much they can cost and whether to file an insurance claim.\n<\/p>\n\n\n

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Jerry pulls up to 20 quotes from top rated carriers.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Compare quotes<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is a fender bender?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A fender bender is a minor car accident that typically occurs at low speeds<\/strong> resulting in limited car damage. The term comes from the fact that these collisions often damage only the fenders, which are the protective outer panels that cover a car’s wheels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The key characteristics of a fender bender are:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\ude97 Low-speed collision.<\/strong> They usually occur at speeds under 15 mph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd27 Minor car damage.<\/strong> Typically limited to bumpers, fenders and cosmetic parts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2705 The car is driveable.<\/strong> You can usually safely drive away from the scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83e\ude79 No serious injuries.<\/strong> Minor injuries like whiplash are still possible.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Key takeaway:<\/strong> Even though it’s called “minor,” a fender bender is still legally classified as a car accident. There’s no minimum damage threshold that must be met. Any collision between cars counts as an accident.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Should you file an insurance claim for a fender bender?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It can be worth filing a claim after a fender bender, though your car insurance<\/a> rates may likely increase if you do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s how to know when to file a claim and when not to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

File a claim if:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n