I get the logic behind wanting a police report, especially when you mention,
But honestly, I’ve had the opposite experience a couple times. Once, I called the cops for a fender bender and ended up waiting over an hour, only for the officer to say it was “too minor” to file an official report. The insurance company still processed my claim with photos and a written statement from both of us—no police report needed.“If it’s just a tiny scratch and both sides are cool, maybe skip it, but for anything more than paint transfer? I’d rather have too much paperwork than not enough.”
I totally get wanting documentation, but sometimes the time and hassle just isn’t worth it, especially if you’re trying to avoid missing work or paying for rideshares while your car’s in the shop. I always take a ton of photos, get the other person’s info, and document everything myself. It’s worked out so far, and I haven’t had to deal with the extra headache (or lost time) that comes with waiting around for a report that might not even get filed. Maybe I’ve just been lucky, but in my experience, being thorough yourself can cover most of the bases.
I hear you—waiting around for hours just to be told “too minor” is the worst. I guess I’m just paranoid about something coming back to bite me later. Maybe it’s overkill, but I always worry that if I don’t have an official report, insurance will find some loophole. Still, your approach makes sense, especially when time is tight. Maybe I need to relax a little...
I guess I’m just paranoid about something coming back to bite me later. Maybe it’s overkill, but I always worry that if I don’t have an official report, insurance will find some loophole.
- Totally get where you’re coming from. Insurance companies can be slippery.
- I’ve had a claim denied once because I didn’t have enough documentation. Still stings.
- That said, sometimes the hassle just isn’t worth it for a scratch or dent.
- If it’s minor and you’ve got photos, you’re probably fine. But trust your gut—peace of mind matters too.
- No shame in being cautious... but yeah, sometimes you gotta pick your battles.
I guess I’m just paranoid about something coming back to bite me later. Maybe it’s overkill, but I always worry that if I don’t have an official report, insurance will find some loophole.
Honestly, you’re not wrong to be a little paranoid—insurance companies love their paperwork. If you want to cover all your bases (and avoid the “gotcha” moments down the road), here’s how I’d break it down:
1. **Get a police report if possible.** Even for parked car hits, most insurers treat an official report as gold. It’s basically proof you didn’t just back into a pole and try to blame it on a mystery driver. Some departments won’t come out for minor fender benders, but you can usually file a report online or at the station.
2. **Take photos of everything.** Not just the damage—get wide shots showing where your car was parked, any debris or paint transfer, and even the surrounding area (like street signs or landmarks). If there’s a note or any witnesses, snap those too.
3. **Notify your insurance ASAP.** Even if you’re not sure you’ll file a claim, let them know what happened. Some policies require “prompt notice,” and waiting too long can give them an excuse to deny coverage.
4. **Keep receipts and estimates.** If you get repairs done before the claim is settled, hang onto every scrap of paper.
I get that it feels like overkill for a scratch or dent—sometimes it really is more hassle than it’s worth. But if there’s any chance the damage is more than cosmetic (or if you think the other driver might dispute what happened), having all your ducks in a row is worth it.
Funny story: I once had someone try to claim hail damage as a hit-and-run... except their “hail” was in perfect bumper-shaped lines. The lack of a police report made things messy for everyone.
Bottom line: trust your gut, but when in doubt, document everything and get that report if you can. It’s way easier to have too much info than not enough when insurance starts asking questions later on.
Honestly, I get the urge to over-document, but sometimes it’s not as black and white as “more is always better.” I’ve seen plenty of claims go through just fine without a police report, especially for minor stuff. Like you said,
That’s spot on in a lot of cases.“It feels like overkill for a scratch or dent—sometimes it really is more hassle than it’s worth.”
Not every insurer is going to nitpick you to death if you have clear photos and a straightforward story. Plus, some police departments don’t even bother with reports for parked car dings anymore—so you might end up spinning your wheels for nothing.
I’d say if the damage is under your deductible or just cosmetic, weigh the hassle versus the benefit. Sometimes reporting everything can even bump up your premiums down the road, depending on your policy.
Bottom line: document what you can, but don’t stress if you can’t get an official report for every little scrape. Just be honest with your insurer and keep your evidence handy.
