Someone smashed my parked car - deal with insurance or call the cops?

- Totally get where you’re coming from.
- Insurance folks seem obsessed with paperwork - if there’s even a whiff of someone else being involved, they want that police report.
- I once tried to skip the report for a busted mirror (thought I’d save everyone some hassle), but nope, claim denied.
- Dashcams are great, but unless you catch the license plate, it’s still a headache.
- Honestly, feels like you need to be part detective just to get your own car fixed...
- Some states are chill, others act like you’re reporting a bank robbery.
- In the end, I just call the cops now, even if it feels silly. Easier than arguing with insurance later.

- It’s wild how much red tape there is, right?
- I’ve had my S-Class keyed before and thought, “No big deal, insurance will handle it.” Nope - no police report, no payout.
- Even if it feels like overkill, calling the cops just covers you.
- Dashcams help, but yeah, if you can’t read the plate or see a face, insurers still want that official doc.
- Feels like a hassle in the moment, but honestly, it saves so much arguing later.
- You’re not alone - everyone I know with a nice car has been through this circus at least once...

Feels like a hassle in the moment, but honestly, it saves so much arguing later.

Totally get this. I once thought skipping the police report would save me time - ended up spending weeks going back and forth with insurance instead. It’s annoying, but that paperwork really does save headaches down the line.

Honestly, I used to think calling the cops for a fender bender was overkill, but after my last run-in with insurance... never again. The paperwork’s a pain, sure, but it’s nothing compared to the back-and-forth when you don’t have that report. Still, I always wonder if it’s really necessary for every little scrape. Feels like overkill sometimes, but I guess better safe than sorry, right?

I totally get the hesitation. Is it really worth calling for every tiny scratch? But then again, I’ve heard some insurance companies won’t even look at your claim without a police report. Does it matter if nobody was around when it happened? Or like, what if you just find a note - does that change anything? Honestly, I’m half convinced the paperwork is designed to make us give up...