Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve found that “promptly” can be a lot stricter than we think—especially with higher-end cars. My insurer once tried to deny a claim because I waited two days, even though I was out of town. They eventually paid out, but it took way more hassle than it should’ve. I’d say don’t bank on them being flexible just because you have a good reason... sometimes they’re just looking for any excuse to push back.
I’d say don’t bank on them being flexible just because you have a good reason... sometimes they’re just looking for any excuse to push back.
That’s been my experience too, though I’ve had it go both ways. Years ago, someone sideswiped my old Accord while it was parked, and I didn’t notice until the next morning. I called my insurer right away, but they still grilled me about the “delay.” In that case, they paid out with minimal fuss, but I’ve heard plenty of stories like yours where they drag their feet.
One thing I’ve always wondered—has anyone actually had a claim denied just because they didn’t call the police? I’ve always filed a report, even for minor stuff, just to cover my bases. But sometimes it feels like overkill, especially if there’s no obvious suspect or witnesses. Curious if skipping that step has ever come back to bite someone.
I actually had the opposite advice from a friend who works in claims—he said sometimes calling the police for every little thing can slow things down or even make it more complicated, especially if there’s no real lead or suspect. Apparently, some insurers just want a basic incident report or photos, and the police don’t always show up for minor fender benders anyway. I get wanting to cover your bases (I’m paranoid enough to document everything, including the angle of my coffee cup on the dashboard), but I wonder if there’s such a thing as being too thorough.
That said, I haven’t had to file a claim yet, so maybe I’ll eat my words when it happens. But from what I’ve read in the fine print, some policies just say “report promptly” and leave it at that. Maybe it depends on the company? Insurance seems like one of those things where you don’t know how strict they’ll be until you’re actually in the hot seat.
Honestly, I’ve been wondering the same thing. My policy just says to “notify authorities if required,” but doesn’t spell out when that actually is. I’d probably take a ton of pics, file online, and only call the cops if there’s obvious damage or a crime vibe. Insurance fine print is so vague... makes it hard to know what’s “enough.”
I’ve always wondered if insurance companies actually check whether you filed a police report, or if they just want the photos and your statement. Has anyone ever had a claim denied because they didn’t call the cops? Sometimes it feels like overkill for a busted mirror, but what if it comes back to bite you later?
