The insurance company can then pull the entire report to get the necessary information off of it. If you choose not to file a claim with the insurance company, they may still obtain the police report. One of the other parties involved in the accident might get the police report.

When do I need to report a police report?

A police report is essentially evidence to an insurance company that an accident took place. The police report can give details as to who is at fault in an accident and therefore whose insurance premium should increase as a result. When do I need to report an accident?

When to involve the police in an insurance claim?

Ultimately, a police report helps the insurance adjustor review your case and determine how much money you’ll receive from the insurance company. This is especially important if you are found partially at-fault.

What happens if the other driver files a police report?

If the other driver happens to report the accident to an insurance company, you risk your insurance being completely canceled because you didn’t file a claim. Also, if the other driver happens to file a police report, you can even be charged with leaving the scene of an accident. This can lead to jail time and a large fine.

Do you have to report a car accident?

Some drivers feel that by not reporting a car accident, they will be able to avoid any increase in insurance premiums. This is especially an area of concern for drivers who know they are at fault, partly or otherwise. However, this train of thought can lead to future problems for the driver.

What happens when you file a police report?

Either way, a police report is filed when an officer reaches the scene. The officer will examine what happened, talk to all drivers involved, and file a report. If you file an insurance claim later on, your insurance company will ask for the police report number.

How does an insurance company find out about a car accident?

Even if you don’t report the accident to the insurance company, they will still learn about the accident if a police report is filed. The DMV will have the police reports as these are submitted to the state directly from the law enforcement agencies. They use a system such as CLUE that will provide details about the accident.