Home › Questions › Do you need a police report to make a car insurance claim?
Do you need a police report to make a car insurance claim?
Not always. You don’t need a police report for every car insurance claim — but you do in specific situations. By law you must report an accident to the police within 24 hours if you didn’t stop and exchange details at the scene, or if someone was injured. For theft, vandalism or a hit-and-run, you should report it to the police and get a crime reference number, which your insurer will ask for. For a straightforward bump where details were exchanged and no one was hurt, a police report usually isn’t required. When in doubt, report it — having the reference rarely hurts and often helps your claim.
For my stolen car the crime reference number was the first thing the insurer asked for. Report to police first, then call the insurer.
ClaimPilot checks your UK insurance claim the way an assessor would — flagging the gaps and wording that could get it delayed or refused — so you can fix them before you submit.
Check your claim free →General information, not financial or legal advice. For free, impartial help see Citizens Advice or the Financial Ombudsman Service.