Had something similar with our minivan last year. Someone sideswiped it while it was parked at the grocery store and of course, no note or anything. I called the non-emergency police line and they actually came out, but the report was super basic. Insurance still wanted it, though. I kinda get why people skip calling the cops if it feels minor, but man, insurance just loves paperwork. It’s a pain either way, honestly.
I kinda get why people skip calling the cops if it feels minor, but man, insurance just loves paperwork. It’s a pain either way, honestly.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’d argue that calling the police—even for what seems like a minor incident—can make a big difference, especially for those of us who own older or specialty vehicles. In my experience, insurance companies are much more likely to try and lowball you or even deny a claim if there’s no official report, no matter how small the damage. I had a ‘72 Chevelle get tapped in a parking lot a few years back. Barely a scratch, but the trim was original and impossible to replace. The adjuster wanted to call it “cosmetic” and move on, but because I had a police report, it forced them to actually look at the specifics.
I know it feels like overkill sometimes, especially when the report is just a couple lines of generic info. Still, that piece of paper is often the only thing standing between you and a drawn-out argument with your insurer. They’re not exactly motivated to make it easy for us, especially if the car’s got any unique value or modifications.
I’d also add that in some states, not reporting even minor accidents can come back to bite you later, depending on how your policy is written. It’s a hassle, sure, but skipping the police report can sometimes end up being the bigger headache down the road.
It’s frustrating, no doubt. But in my book, a little extra paperwork up front is worth it if it means not having to fight tooth and nail for a fair settlement—especially when you care about the car more than just as a way to get from A to B.
I hear you on the paperwork, but honestly, I once skipped calling the cops after a fender bender to “save time” and it ended up being a mess. Insurance kept asking for proof and I had nothing but my word. Never again... sometimes the hassle up front really does save you later.
Yeah, I get it. Dealing with cops and paperwork is a pain, but skipping it can really bite you later. Had a similar thing happen—insurance just dragged their feet without a report. Sometimes you gotta suck it up and do the boring stuff.
Sometimes you gotta suck it up and do the boring stuff.
Can’t argue with that. It’s a hassle, but in my experience, having all the paperwork in order saves you way more time (and money) down the line. I once tried to skip the police report on a minor fender-bender—figured it’d be faster to just go straight to insurance. Ended up being a nightmare. They kept asking for documentation I didn’t have, and the claim dragged on for weeks.
It’s tempting to avoid the red tape, especially when you’re already dealing with damage and stress. Still, even if it feels pointless at the time, getting that official report usually means less back-and-forth later. Not fun in the moment, but definitely worth it if you want your claim processed without extra headaches. Sometimes you really do just have to grit your teeth and get through the paperwork... annoying as it is.
