Even if it seems minor, getting that report is worth the hassle.
Yeah, learned this the hard way. Skipped the report once because it looked like a tiny dent. Insurance dragged their feet for over a month, kept asking for “proof.” Never again. Just get the paperwork done upfront.
Can’t count how many times I’ve heard “it’s just a scratch, not worth the hassle,” but it always comes back to bite you. Had a buddy who didn’t bother with a report after someone sideswiped his car in a parking lot. Insurance basically shrugged and said, “prove it wasn’t already there.” Ended up paying out of pocket. Even if it feels like overkill, that little police report can save you a world of headaches later.
I keep wondering, though—do cops even bother showing up for minor stuff like this? I’ve had fender benders where they just told me to file online. Is a report really that much better than just snapping a bunch of photos? Or am I just tempting fate by skipping the paperwork...
Is a report really that much better than just snapping a bunch of photos? Or am I just tempting fate by skipping the paperwork...
Honestly, I wouldn’t skip the report, even if it feels like overkill. Insurance companies can get picky, and having an official police report can save you a headache if the other driver changes their story or if there’s any dispute. Photos are good, but paperwork covers you if things get messy later. Learned that the hard way once—my claim dragged on for months because I didn’t have a report. Not worth the risk, in my opinion.
Title: Someone Smashed My Parked Car—Deal With Insurance or Call the Cops?
Insurance companies can get picky, and having an official police report can save you a headache if the other driver changes their story or if there’s any dispute.
- Been there, done that (unfortunately). My last car was rear-ended while parked, and I thought photos would be enough. Spoiler: insurance wanted a report, and things got complicated fast.
- If you’re driving something pricey (or just care about your ride), the extra 30 minutes for a police report is worth it. Trust me, you don’t want to be arguing with insurance over “he said, she said” later.
- Photos are great for showing damage, but they don’t prove who did what or when. A report locks in the facts—plus, it looks way more official if you end up in a dispute.
- Sometimes, the other driver seems cool at first, but then they ghost you or suddenly “remember” things differently. The report is your backup plan.
- Not saying paperwork is fun (it’s not), but skipping it is like skipping the warranty on a new phone. You only regret it when things go sideways.
Honestly, I used to think it was overkill too, but after dealing with a claim that dragged on for weeks because I didn’t have the right docs, I’m team “call the cops” every time. Even if it feels like a hassle, it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.
