car hit my garage wall

1.  No, you do not have to report your own "accident" to your automobile insurance company, since it was your property that was damaged.  So long as no other third party claiming damages, there is no need to report the claim to your insurance company.  Similar to a rock hitting your windshield while driving, you don't have to make a claim if you don't want to.  If there was damage to a third party, then you would have to report pursuant to your insurance contract. 2.  Because the accident was on private property, it is not a violation of any Ohio traffic law, so it cannot be reported as an infraction with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.  So it will not appear on your license as an accident.  However, if you report it to your insurance company and make a claim for the damage to your car, it will be listed as a comprehensive claim on your insurance report, which can raise your premiums, depending on your insurance company and the number of claims you have had in the past.  This will also be visible to any other insurance company that you apply for coverage with. If you do want to make an insurance claim, most policies require that you report the claim to them as soon as possible so that they may conduct an investigation into the claim.  If your claim is not made timely, the company could deny the claim for breach of conditions precedent, including the duty to timely report and the duty to cooperate.  Read your policy to determine the duties and time limits applicable to you.