Do Auto Insurance Companies Require a Police Report to Pay for Losses?
For coverage to apply under your automobile insurance policy the named insured or the person seeking coverage must promptly report the accident or loss to the auto insurance company regardless of fault. All information regarding the loss or accident must be provided. At a minimum the information provided must include: Time, place, facts of the loss or accident and auto insurance policy information of all parties involved. Also, the names and addresses of all persons involved in the loss or accident, the names and addresses of any witnesses, and the license plate numbers of all the vehicles involved. If you or the person seeking coverage cannot identify the owner or operator of the vehicle involved in the accident or loss, then notification to the police must be made within 24 hours or as soon as reasonably possible. Contrary to popular belief, a police report is not requir employment law advice for employers ed for all car accidents and losses. For example: You?ve just been ?rear ended? in bumper to bumper traffic and no one is injured, the vehicles are not disabled, and there is only relatively minor damage. Drive the accident vehicles safely off the roadway to allow traffic to flow normally. Have all parties involved in the accident exchange auto insurance policy information, vehicle, and driver?s license information. If possible contact the auto insurance company at the time of the accident while both parties are present. The insurance company will inquire as to the facts of the accident. If both drivers are cooperative and agree, then the insurance company will be able to determine fault in the accident. The auto insurance company responsible for repairs will assign a claims adjuster to the case. An appointment will be made for the damaged vehicle to be examined and appraised.