Firstly, you've got to be a complete idiot, in Ontario at least, to report a $3000. at fault claim. One's rates will increase, over a 6 year period, and cost twice that amount. If your unlucky enough to have another claim, no matter how small, within that period; say you slide into someones ass end and cause superficial damage, but the damaged party insists on reporting it, you will very likely end up in the Insurance Facility where rates start about 10K per year.
Secondly, you say you didn't realize the extent of the damage. Superficial damage these days is 3K.