My car was hit... did I receive a police report?

[beetz12]

Few days ago Some a**hole smashed into my car while parked in a Hardees parking lot and drove off. There is extensive damage to the rear bumper and trunk. I did not see the other vehicle or have any information on the driver. There were no witnesses or surveillance video.

I called my insurance company to file a comprehensive claim and they advised me to file an uninsured motorist claim since the latter has a lower deductible. The only thing is I need to provide is a police report of the incident.

Yesterday I met with an officer to discuss the incident and obtain a report. After asking me some questions, she gave me a form titled Traffic collision report - you can see it here

My question is, is this the same thing as an official police report, and will I be able to file for uninsured motorist using this document? I already asked my insurance company and they weren't really sure either. They asked me if the I can go to the police station and pick up an official report. I'm pretty sure the answer is no, but can I still use this for the UM claim?

Thanks

[redbird07]

It seems to me that your vehicle accident didnt meet SC's requirements for an accident report by a LEO. In MD we dont write every accident. There are criteria that must be met in order for us to write an accident report. Unless the accident involves a fatality, personal injury, or disabling damage to the vehicle, we dont write a report. Also if a government vehicle is involved we write a report. We dont have enough time to write every fender bender we come across. When it involves a hit and run with no striking vehicle information, and is reported at a later date, we have no idea whether the reported facts are true and accurate. I'm not implying that you are being deceptive, but do you see the point? Good luck in your process. Maybe if you put up a sign near the scene of the incident asking for anyone who may have observed what happened to call you, may help.

[HotSoup]

Link isn't working so I can't see the report....and by your post it was unclear whether you called PD while still at the scene or the following day. If it was the following day, and i'm not sure what SC does so I'll tell you what Phoenix does, I wouldn't have taken a report if you had already left the scene. If you were still on scene and the damage was less the 5,000 dollars with no witness's or follow up information again a report would not have been taken. In Arizona you don't need a Police report to file a claim. In fact the insurance company can lose thier license to sell insurance if they insist on a Police report.

[just joe]

A lot of depts don't do private property accidents.

[PhilipCal]

Few days ago Some a**hole smashed into my car while parked in a Hardees parking lot and drove off. There is extensive damage to the rear bumper and trunk. I did not see the other vehicle or have any information on the driver. There were no witnesses or surveillance video.

I called my insurance company to file a comprehensive claim and they advised me to file an uninsured motorist claim since the latter has a lower deductible. The only thing is I need to provide is a police report of the incident.

Yesterday I met with an officer to discuss the incident and obtain a report. After asking me some questions, she gave me a form titled Traffic collision report - you can see it here

My question is, is this the same thing as an official police report, and will I be able to file for uninsured motorist using this document? I already asked my insurance company and they weren't really sure either. They asked me if the I can go to the police station and pick up an official report. I'm pretty sure the answer is no, but can I still use this for the UM claim?

Thanks

In common with many agencies, my Department does not do Private Property Accident Reports. The form the Officer gave you, is essentially a form you'll complete yourself. It should suffice for filing a claim.

[SgtScott31]

As Philip advised, the form the officer told you to fill out (via the website) should be plenty for your insurance agency to file the appropriate claims. I wish we had something like that in TN.

[westside popo]

There is no requirement that the police do an accident report on every little fender bender on private property.
Also find out the cost of repairing the damage compared to your deductible. If, for example, the repair costs are $200 and your deductible is $250 or $500 then it is not worth reporting to the insurance company and filing a claim.

I'm not familiar with SC laws but the form the LEO gave you appears to be an "official" form and should be accepted by your insurance. If you read the paragraph at the top of the form it is not required unless the property damage was $1000 or more. The form also appears to be a self report for accidents that happen on public roads.
In my state we have two accident report forms. One for private property and the other for public roads etc. For private property accidents, in my state, LEO's dod not determine the at fault driver. It is up to the insurance companies to determine who pays for the accident. In your case it would be your insurance company's responsibility (by default) since the other driver could not be located or identified.

[beetz12]

It seems to me that your vehicle accident didnt meet SC's requirements for an accident report by a LEO. In MD we dont write every accident. There are criteria that must be met in order for us to write an accident report. Unless the accident involves a fatality, personal injury, or disabling damage to the vehicle, we dont write a report. Also if a government vehicle is involved we write a report. We dont have enough time to write every fender bender we come across. When it involves a hit and run with no striking vehicle information, and is reported at a later date, we have no idea whether the reported facts are true and accurate. I'm not implying that you are being deceptive, but do you see the point? Good luck in your process. Maybe if you put up a sign near the scene of the incident asking for anyone who may have observed what happened to call you, may help.

Thanks for explaining the accident report redbird. Since it was private property where the incident occurred and I did not call police right away, I can understand why an police report was not filled out.

Good idea on the signs. Maybe I'll put some up and hope for the best.

[beetz12]

Link isn't working so I can't see the report....and by your post it was unclear whether you called PD while still at the scene or the following day. If it was the following day, and i'm not sure what SC does so I'll tell you what Phoenix does, I wouldn't have taken a report if you had already left the scene. If you were still on scene and the damage was less the 5,000 dollars with no witness's or follow up information again a report would not have been taken. In Arizona you don't need a Police report to file a claim. In fact the insurance company can lose thier license to sell insurance if they insist on a Police report.

Sorry my original post was not very clear.

I did not call police until the following day, because someone once told me the police don't handle reports on private property.

My insurance only requires a police report if I claim uninsured motorist which is what I'd like to do because the deductible is less than If I were to file for comprehensive.

[beetz12]

In common with many agencies, my Department does not do Private Property Accident Reports. The form the Officer gave you, is essentially a form you'll complete yourself. It should suffice for filing a claim.

As Philip advised, the form the officer told you to fill out (via the website) should be plenty for your insurance agency to file the appropriate claims. I wish we had something like that in TN.

Ok, I will submit the form to my insurance and see what happens.

[beetz12]

While I have not taken my car to a body shop, I estimate the damage at at least $2000.

The trunk, rear bumper, and right tail light will all have to be replaced, and my car being a Lexus, those parts will cost $1000 alone.

My duductible is $500 for comprehensive and $200 for uninsured motorist, which is why I'd like to claim uninsured motorist first.

I will send insurance company the form the officer provided, but if they do not accept it I guess I'll just have to suck it up and pay the $500 deductible.

Oh well!

There is no requirement that the police do an accident report on every little fender bender on private property.
Also find out the cost of repairing the damage compared to your deductible. If, for example, the repair costs are $200 and your deductible is $250 or $500 then it is not worth reporting to the insurance company and filing a claim.

I'm not familiar with SC laws but the form the LEO gave you appears to be an "official" form and should be accepted by your insurance. If you read the paragraph at the top of the form it is not required unless the property damage was $1000 or more. The form also appears to be a self report for accidents that happen on public roads.
In my state we have two accident report forms. One for private property and the other for public roads etc. For private property accidents, in my state, LEO's dod not determine the at fault driver. It is up to the insurance companies to determine who pays for the accident. In your case it would be your insurance company's responsibility (by default) since the other driver could not be located or identified.

[PhilipCal]

While I have not taken my car to a body shop, I estimate the damage at atleast $2000.

The trunk, rear bumper, and right tail light will all have to be replaced, and my car being a Lexus, those parts will cost $1000 alone.

My duductible is $500 for comprehensive and $200 for uninsured motorist, which is why I'm like to claim uninsured motorist first.

I will send insurance company the form the officer provided, but if they do not accept it I guess I'll just have to suck it up and pay the $500 deductible.

Oh well!

Unless I'm missing something, you'd have to pay the deductble whether or not a Police report was made. A deductable is just that. A deductable.

[westside popo]

While I have not taken my car to a body shop, I estimate the damage at atleast $2000.

The trunk, rear bumper, and right tail light will all have to be replaced, and my car being a Lexus, those parts will cost $1000 alone.

My duductible is $500 for comprehensive and $200 for uninsured motorist, which is why I'm like to claim uninsured motorist first.

I will send insurance company the form the officer provided, but if they do not accept it I guess I'll just have to suck it up and pay the $500 deductible.

Oh well!

Being a Lexus I believe your estimates. BTW call the police as soon as you discover the damage next time. They may be able to put out a BOLO for another vehicle with damage consistant with your vehicle's damage. Here we will issue a local BOLO to local LEO's for hit and runs. Once and a while we get lucky.

[beetz12]

Unless I'm missing something, you'd have to pay the deductble whether or not a Police report was made. A deductable is just that. A deductable.

Thanks PhilipCal, I know I'll have to pay a deductible regardless. I was simply stating that the $200 deductible was preferred over the $500.

[beetz12]

Being a Lexus I believe your estimates. BTW call the police as soon as you discover the damage next time. They may be able to put out a BOLO for another vehicle with damage consistant with your vehicle's damage. Here we will issue a local BOLO to local LEO's for hit and runs. Once and a while we get lucky.

Agreed. Part of the reason I didn't is because it happened on private property and I wasn't sure if the police would respond.

Next time if someone hits my car, I will call anyway... I mean what's the worst that can happen?