Whether a police report is required depends on the type of claim and your insurer's rules
A police report is a document filed with law enforcement that creates an official record of an accident, theft, or other incident involving your vehicle. Whether your insurance company requires one is not automatic—it depends on what happened, what coverage you have, and what your specific policy says. Collision claims (damage from hitting another car or object) often don't need a police report unless the accident involves a hit-and-run. Theft, vandalism, and comprehensive claims (damage from weather, animals, or other non-collision events) usually don't require one either. But if another driver is at fault and you're pursuing their liability coverage, or if the accident involves injury, your insurer will almost always want a report.
The core reason insurers ask for police reports is straightforward: they need an independent record of what happened. When you file a claim, you're telling your insurer one version of events. The other driver may tell a different version. A police report, made by an officer at the scene, gives both insurers a neutral starting point. It doesn't determine fault—your insurer makes that decision—but it establishes facts that are harder to dispute later.
Key Takeaways
- Police reports are required most often when another driver is at fault and you're claiming against their liability coverage, or when the accident causes injury.
- Hit-and-run accidents require a police report before your collision or uninsured motorist coverage will pay, because the insurer needs proof you reported it to law enforcement.
- Theft and vandalism claims may require a police report depending on your policy and insurer, so check your documents or call your agent before filing the claim.
- You can file a claim without a police report, but your insurer may deny it or delay payment if they later decide one was necessary.
- If you're unsure whether you need a report, contact your insurer before the claim is filed—getting one takes time and you don't want to delay your claim.
When your insurer will require a police report
Your insurance company is most likely to require a police report when the accident involves another person's vehicle or property, or when someone is injured. If you hit another car and the other driver is pursuing a claim against your liability coverage, their insurer will request a police report as part of their investigation. If you're injured or the other driver claims injury, the report becomes part of the medical and liability record. In these cases, the police report is not optional—your insurer needs it to process the claim fairly and defend against any disputes.
Hit-and-run accidents are a special case. If you were hit by another vehicle and the driver left the scene, your collision coverage or uninsured motorist coverage will not pay without a police report. The insurer needs proof that you reported the incident to law enforcement within a specific time frame (usually 24 to 72 hours, depending on your policy). This requirement exists because without it, insurers would have no way to verify that the accident actually happened or that you didn't cause the damage yourself. Your policy language on hit-and-runs is explicit: no report means no coverage, period.
When a police report is optional or not needed
If you hit a parked car, a pole, a tree, or any other object and no other vehicle is involved, your collision coverage will usually pay without a police report. The same applies if you swerve to avoid an animal and crash—that's a comprehensive claim, not a collision claim, and most insurers don't require a report. Theft and vandalism claims vary by insurer and policy. Some require a police report; others don't. Check your policy documents or call your agent to confirm what your specific coverage requires before you file.
Single-vehicle accidents where you're the only person involved and no other property owner is affected are the most straightforward. You can file a collision claim with just photos, your account of what happened, and your vehicle's damage estimate. Your insurer may still ask for a police report if the damage is severe or if the circumstances seem unclear, but they won't require one as a blanket rule. The key difference is that no third party is disputing your version of events.
What happens if you don't get a police report when you should
If your insurer later determines that a police report was required and you didn't obtain one, they can delay your claim or deny it outright. This is especially true in hit-and-run cases, where the policy language is explicit: no report to police means no coverage. Even in less clear-cut situations, a missing report gives your insurer a reason to investigate further, which slows down payment and creates uncertainty about whether your claim will be paid at all.
The risk is higher when the other driver disputes your account of the accident. If they tell their insurer something different and there's no police report to establish what actually happened, your insurer has to choose between your word and theirs. A police report doesn't may provide your version will be believed, but it creates an official record made at the time of the incident, which carries more weight than a claim filed days or weeks later. Without it, you're asking your insurer to take your side in a he-said-she-said situation, which they're reluctant to do.
How to decide whether to file a police report
Before you call your insurer, decide whether to call the police. If anyone is injured, call 911—police will respond and file a report automatically. If there's significant damage, another vehicle is involved, or you suspect the other driver was at fault, call the non-emergency police line and request an officer. Most police departments will send someone to document the scene, take statements, and file a report. This takes time (sometimes an hour or more), but it creates a neutral record that protects you later.
If the accident is minor, both drivers agree on what happened, and no injury is involved, you may not need a report. But if you're uncertain, err on the side of getting one. A police report costs you nothing and takes a few hours of your time. A denied claim costs you thousands. After the report is filed, get the report number and the officer's name, then contact your insurer with that information. Having the report number ready when you call speeds up the process.
What information the police report contains
A police report includes the date, time, and location of the accident; the names and contact information of all drivers and witnesses; vehicle information (make, model, license plate, VIN); insurance details for each driver; a description of how the accident occurred; the officer's assessment of fault or contributing factors; and any citations issued. It also notes weather conditions, road conditions, and whether drugs or alcohol were suspected. The report is a detailed snapshot of the scene as the officer found it.
Your insurer will use this report to understand the sequence of events, identify witnesses they can contact, and determine liability. If the report says you were at fault, your insurer will likely cover the other driver's damages under your liability coverage but may raise your rates. If the report says the other driver was at fault, your insurer will pursue their coverage or your uninsured motorist coverage. The report is not the final word on fault—insurance companies make their own information—but it carries significant weight in how they investigate and decide your claim.
How to obtain a copy of the police report
After an officer files a report, you can request a copy from the police department that responded. Most departments allow you to request reports online, by phone, or in person. You'll need the report number (the officer should give you this at the scene) or the date and location of the accident. There is usually a small fee, between $5 and $20, though some departments waive it for accident victims. The turnaround time varies—some departments provide reports within days, others take weeks.
You don't have to wait for the report to file your insurance claim. Tell your insurer the report number and the police department that filed it, and they can request it directly. Many insurers have standing agreements with local police departments and can retrieve reports faster than you can. If you're filing a hit-and-run claim, provide the report number as soon as you have it—this is what your insurer needs to process the claim and begin paying for your repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a police report if the other driver and I agreed it was my fault?
Not necessarily. If both drivers agree on fault and no injury is involved, most insurers will process a collision claim without a report. However, if the other driver later changes their story or claims injury, the absence of a report makes it harder for your insurer to defend the claim. When in doubt, get a report anyway.
What if the police won't come to the accident scene?
Many police departments don't respond to minor accidents with no injury. If that's the case, you can file a report yourself at the station or online. Ask your insurer whether a self-filed report meets their requirements, because some insurers have specific rules about who must file the report.
Can I file an insurance claim before I have the police report?
Yes. You can file your claim when ready and provide the report number later once you have it. Your insurer will likely wait for the report before making a final decision on liability, but filing early starts the clock on your coverage and shows good faith.
Does a police report may provide my insurer will pay my claim?
No. A police report is evidence, not a may provide. Your insurer still investigates the claim, reviews the report, and makes their own information about fault and coverage. The report helps, but it doesn't override your policy terms or coverage limits.
What should I do if I was hit by an uninsured driver?
Get a police report when ready. This is the document your uninsured motorist coverage needs to pay your claim. Without it, your insurer has no way to verify that another vehicle was involved. File the report even if you have the other driver's name and contact information.