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Can You Claim Car Accident Without Police Report?

Whether you can claim car insurance for an accident without police report depends on the state you’re located in. In most states in the U.S., you don’t necessarily need a police report for filing a minor car accident. However, if the damage is up to a significant amount, then you may need to make a police report to claim insurance.

For instance, in Michigan, it is required by law to immediately make a police report for an accident for damages worth $1,000 or above. So, car accidents that lead to injuries, death, or property damage worth $1,000 or more whether it’s a vehicle, building, fence or any tangible asset requires a police report for claiming car insurance.

Is Police Report Mandatory or Helpful to Claim Car Accident?

While a police report isn’t directly mandatory until the accident costs a significant amount, it is indeed always helpful for claiming car accident. Police reports are unbiased evidence that can back up your auto insurance claim after an accident.

In the police report, your insurer can access detailed evidence of how the accident happened, who was at-fault for the accident, and the extent to bodily injuries, fatalities and damages to vehicles and properties.

So, if your car insurance claim is legit, and if it matches with the police report then it will be easier for you to get compensated for your auto insurance claim faster. Every auto insurance company will verify your car insurance claim after the accident to investigate the legitimacy of the claim.

When is it Necessary to Obtain a Police Report to Claim Car Accident in Michigan?

Here in Michigan, it is necessary to obtain a police report to claim car accident when the cost of the bodily injuries, fatalities, and property damage exceed $1,000 or above. As insurance companies are compelled to adhere to the state’s local laws, it is essential for you to get a police report for claiming car accident in Michigan.

Legal issues are sensitive, so it is necessary to be extremely cautious especially when you’re dealing with car accidents that can lead to severe loss. In some cases, it can occur due to negligence, or it can even be intentional, such as hit and run accidents.

In contrast here are 3 situations which require you to have a police report to claim a car accident in Michigan as follows.

Serious Accident Involving Severe Injury or Death

Serious accidents involving severe injuries or death are life threatening incidents, and that’s why it’s also a serious legal concern. As it is legally mandatory in Michigan to report severe injuries and fatalities immediately by calling the police or visiting the nearest police station, it is hence a legal requirement to have a police report after such incidents.

Hit and Run Accidents

If you’re a victim of a hit and run accident, you must report it to the police, and for claiming the accident to your insurer, it is necessary for you to obtain a police report to prove that you were involved in a hit and run accident in which the other driver is at-fault.

Most of the time, it is difficult to identify the driver who hit you, so that's why it’s crucial to report the incident to the police and submit the police report to your insurer. Based on the police report, your insurer will apply the liability auto insurance through the driver’s auto insurer.

In case the other driver does not have adequate liability auto insurance coverage, you can apply your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Property Damage Exceeding $1000

Whether it’s your car, building, or any other tangible asset, if the cost of the damages to repair your property is $1,000 or above, then you must report it to the police, and submit the police report to your insurer to claim your auto insurance.

Property damages are legally compensable, so that’s why exceeding this threshold triggers a legal obligation to report. If you don’t file a police report, your insurer may ask to file one to ensure you’re legally complaint, and for gathering validated evidence on your claim.

Is Police Report Necessary for Minor Accident Claims?

No, police report isn’t legally mandatory nor entirely necessary for minor accident claims in Michigan, nor throughout other states in the US. Although, the value of minor claim varies from one state to another.

For instance, damages or compensation worth $1000 is considered minor accident in Michigan, whereas it’s $250 in Alabama, and $2500 in Oregon. So, depending on the state you’re located in, the minor accident claim amount can significantly vary.

On the other hand, even for minor claims, providing a police report can be crucial especially because police reports are unbiased, and are widely detailed. Ultimately, providing a police report can speed up your insurance claims process, and make it smoother as well.

It also reduces the scope of dispute with your insurer, as it builds transparency fostering enhanced credibility of your claim.

How Does Police Report Help with Car Accident Claim?

When it comes to auto insurance claims, it goes through a series of verification processes. After a car insurance claim is filed your insurer will either ask you to provide the police report of the accident, or they can directly access it from the police.

Either way, the police report is the most credible legal evidence for verifying your insurance claim. Here are the following ways a police report can substantially help with your auto insurance claim.

Creates an official record of the accident including the date, time and location

Provides details of the accident and how it happened

Identifies all parties involved in the accident including the driver, passenger and witnesses

Contains documented evidence on who may be at-fault

Record injuries, fatalities, and property damages at the accident site

Includes records of traffic violations such as unnecessary speeding and reckless driving

May support your version of the event, which can strengthen your insurance claim

How to Get Police Report for a Car Accident in Michigan?

Getting a police report for a car accident in Michigan is crucial, especially because it’s legally required for major accidents, and it also helps you with the entire insurance claims process.

If you’re willing to get a police report for a car accident in Michigan, please follow the steps provided below.

Visit the Traffic Crash Purchasing System website.
Provide your driver’s license number. Input the crash, case, or incident number.
Enter your date of birth to verify your identity.
Specify the exact date the crash occurred.
A $10.00 fee is required to access the report.
Use a valid credit card for payment.
Once payment is complete, download your crash report.

Can You File a Car Accident Claim Without a Police Report in Michigan?

Yes, you can file a car accident claim without a police report in Michigan, but as it was mentioned before that’s only for minor accidental damages of less than $1000. To file a car insurance claim without a police report, you should do the following:

Collect evidence right after the car accident: Take pictures or videos to identify the damage to your car, and the other driver’s vehicle

Exchange information with the other driver: Exchange information such as the other driver’s name, phone number, contact details, driver’s license number, and insurance policy number or member ID

Note down the date, time and location of the accident: You need to clearly specify when the accident happened, and where it happened while claiming your auto insurance

Details of the types of vehicles involved: It is crucial to specify the types of vehicles involved, state of registration and license plate number. Your insurer can use the license plate number to identify the other driver to verify and process your insurance claim

Gather name and contact information of witnesses: Witnesses are sometimes essential for verifying auto insurance claims. So, to stay on the safe side, if it’s possible try to get the names and phone numbers of witnesses.

Which is Better: Filing Insurance With or Without Police Report?

It's definitely always better to file your car insurance with a police report as it’s the most credible legal evidence to strengthen your insurance claim. Even if you don’t submit a police report for a minor accident, if your insurer finds it necessary, they may obtain a police report directly from the police.

So, whether it’s a minor accident or a severe one, it’s always best if you can retrieve the police report and provide it to your insurance company to accelerate the insurance claims process.

There are times when filing auto insurance with a police report can get complicated. So, if you need advice on filing for car insurance, or learn how it works in Michigan please contact us for a free consultation. If you’re interested, you can even explore our car insurance plans.

FAQs

Can you file a car insurance claim without a police report?

Yes, you can file a car insurance claim without a police report mainly for minor accidents, but for major accidents that lead to severe injuries, fatalities and damages worth $1000 and above.

Do you have to call the police after a minor car accident in Michigan?

It is not legally mandatory to call the police after a minor car accident in Michigan, but reporting even minor car accidents is strongly advised as it can strengthen your claim.

Can my auto insurance company obtain the police report?

Yes, your auto insurance company can obtain your car accident’s police report once you claim auto insurance. Insurance companies are legally authorized to retrieve police report to verify car insurance claims.