Honestly, the paperwork dance is the worst, but I kinda get why they want the police report. I mean, if someone just took off and you don’t have their info, it’s basically your word against...no one’s? Insurance companies seem to love having “official” stuff to lean on. Still, it bugs me that we all pay out for coverage and then they make it feel like you’re begging for help. My friend once skipped the report and ended up eating the whole repair bill—lesson learned. Maybe it’s not about trust, just covering their own butts. Still feels like a hassle though.
Honestly, I get the frustration with all the hoops, but I don’t buy that it’s just about “covering their butts.” The police report is more than a checkbox for insurance. It’s supposed to keep people honest—otherwise you’d have folks making up stories left and right. I’ve actually had a neighbor who tried to claim his car was hit in a parking lot, but turns out he backed into a pole. No report, no payout. That’s how the system keeps things fair, at least in theory.
Yeah, it sucks to pay for coverage and then feel like you’re jumping through hoops just to use it. But skipping the report just hands the insurance company an easy out. If someone trashed my car and bailed, I’m calling the cops every time—even if it takes an hour. Not worth risking getting stuck with the bill because I wanted to avoid paperwork. The hassle now saves way more hassle (and money) later.
Totally get where you’re coming from. It feels like a pain to jump through all the official hoops, especially when you’re already stressed about your car getting smashed. But honestly, I think you’re spot on about the police report being more than just a formality. I used to roll my eyes at that step, but after seeing a friend get denied because he skipped it—never again.
Here’s how I look at it:
1. Take a deep breath (seriously, it helps).
2. Snap as many pics as you can of the damage and the area. Even if it seems like overkill, you never know which angle will matter.
3. Call the cops and file a report, even if it feels like overkill for “just” property damage. It’s not just about insurance—sometimes they’ll catch the person or at least document things in a way that protects you.
4. Get a copy of the report or at least the case number before you leave the scene.
5. Then call your insurance and start the claim process.
I know it’s tempting to skip steps when you’re busy or just want to move on, but every time I’ve tried to shortcut stuff like this, it’s come back to bite me. Insurance companies are quick to look for reasons not to pay out, and not having that police report is basically handing them an excuse.
There’s also something weirdly reassuring about having everything documented. Like, even if nothing comes of it, you know you did all you could.
And yeah, it’s frustrating—the system isn’t perfect and sometimes feels stacked against regular folks who actually pay their premiums. But in my experience, putting up with a little hassle now saves way more headaches (and cash) down the line.
Hang in there. It sucks right now, but you’re doing the right thing by covering all your bases.
I get the logic behind calling the cops, but honestly, I think it can depend on where you live and what kind of damage you’re dealing with. Like, in my city, the police won’t even come out for minor property damage anymore—they just tell you to file online or go straight to insurance. I know you said,
but my insurance has never actually asked for one unless there was an injury or a hit-and-run. Maybe I’ve just been lucky? I always take a ton of pics and document everything, but sometimes I feel like all the extra steps just drag it out.“not having that police report is basically handing them an excuse.”
Honestly, I hear you—sometimes it feels like getting a police report for a fender bender is more work than actually fixing the car. I’ve seen folks spend hours waiting for an officer just to get handed a “file online” card. Insurance companies do love their paperwork, but yeah, unless it’s a hit-and-run or someone got hurt, most of the time they’re happy with photos and your statement. I always tell people: if you can document it like you’re auditioning for CSI, you’re probably covered.
