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Do I need a police report to file a claim with insurance if I damaged my own vehicle?

I went mudding in a field on my property and the car spun out of control and hit a tree. Do I need a police report to file a claim with insurance?

Aug 13, 2024 Hillsboro, OH

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Kristine Lee
Insurance Data Insights Analyst

Kristine joined The Zebra in 2019 as an in-house content researcher and writer, with a property and casualty insurance license. Before joining The Ze…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • 6+ years of Experience in the Insurance Industry

You do not need a police report to open a claim. Since it was a single-vehicle accident, you will be charged as at-fault if the claim is paid, which would result in a higher premium. I would get an estimate for the damage and see if it's worth filing a claim for, and possibly pay out-of-pocket to avoid a rate hike.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

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