Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but sometimes the paperwork just feels like overkill.
—sure, but I’ve had the opposite happen too. Once, I spent half a day waiting for an officer to show up for a hit-and-run, only for insurance to barely glance at the report. Maybe I’m just unlucky, but sometimes it feels like you’re jumping through hoops for nothing. I guess it depends on the company... and maybe the mood of the universe that day.getting that official report usually means less back-and-forth later
I totally get the frustration—waiting around for an officer just to have the paperwork ignored feels pointless. Still, I’ve seen it go the other way too, especially with older cars where every detail matters for value. Sometimes that “official” report is the only thing that convinces insurance to pay out what your ride’s actually worth.
Ever had a claim where the report actually made a difference, or is it always just red tape for you?I guess it depends on the company... and maybe the mood of the universe that day.
Totally get where you're coming from. I’ve seen both sides—sometimes the police report feels like a waste of time, but other times it’s the only thing that tips the scales. Especially with older or customized cars, like you mentioned, every bit of documentation can matter.
Here’s how I usually break it down for people dealing with a smashed parked car:
1. **Get the police report if possible.** Even if it feels pointless, some insurers won’t even open a claim without one, or they’ll lowball you if there’s no “official” record.
2. **Take your own photos and notes.** Don’t just rely on the officer—document everything yourself, because sometimes the report misses details or gets facts wrong.
3. **File the claim ASAP.** The sooner you get the ball rolling, the fresher all the info is for everyone involved.
I’ve had clients where the report was the only reason they got a fair payout—especially when the damage looked worse in person than in photos. But yeah, sometimes it’s just red tape. Like you said,
That feels about right. Insurance is weirdly unpredictable sometimes...“maybe the mood of the universe that day.”
I hear what you’re saying about the value of a police report, but I’ve got to push back a bit on the idea that it’s always worth the hassle. In my experience, especially in cities where the cops are stretched thin, you can end up waiting hours just to get someone out for a parked car hit. Sometimes they won’t even come unless there’s an injury or the other driver is present. Meanwhile, your window for gathering evidence is shrinking.
You mentioned:
“some insurers won’t even open a claim without one, or they’ll lowball you if there’s no ‘official’ record.”
That’s true for some companies, but I’ve actually had the opposite happen. I dealt with a hit-and-run last year—my car was sideswiped while parked. I called the non-emergency line, was told to file an online report, and my insurance didn’t care at all about the police documentation. They just wanted photos and a written statement. The payout wasn’t stellar, but the process moved way faster than dragging the police into it.
I get that with rare or customized cars, you want every scrap of paper to back you up. But for most people, I’d say don’t waste time waiting around if the police aren’t responsive. Focus on getting clear photos of the damage, the scene, any paint transfer, and nearby security cams if you can spot them. That stuff has made a bigger difference for me than any police report ever did.
Insurance is unpredictable, yeah, but sometimes it’s about knowing when to cut your losses and move forward. Red tape for the sake of red tape just isn’t worth it if you ask me.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve gotta say, skipping the police report bit has bitten me before. A couple years back, my old Civic got rear-ended while parked outside my apartment. I figured, “Why bother with the cops? It’s just a bumper, and I’ve got photos.” My insurance at the time (Geico) actually pushed back hard because there was no official report, even though I had a dozen pictures and a neighbor’s statement. They ended up covering less than half the repair, saying it was “insufficient documentation.” Super frustrating.
I’m not saying you should always wait around for hours—nobody’s got time for that, especially if you’re just trying to get to work or pick up the kids. But sometimes, even just filing an online report or getting a case number can make a difference. It’s not about the cops showing up in person, but having something “official” in the system. Some adjusters seem to care more about that than the actual evidence, which makes zero sense, but here we are.
I do agree that photos are king, though. I always snap a ton—close-ups, wide shots, even the ground if there’s debris or paint chips. Once, I found a tiny piece of the other car’s taillight and my adjuster actually used that to confirm the hit wasn’t my fault. Never thought that’d matter, but it did.
Anyway, I guess it depends on your insurance and how much hassle you’re willing to deal with. For me, I’d rather have too much paperwork than not enough, just in case. But yeah, waiting all night for a cop who never shows? Hard pass. Sometimes you just gotta weigh the odds and do what makes sense for your sanity and your wallet.
