Should I report my car accident to the police?

The police report can be a very beneficial aid to insurance companies when determining liability. Having a police report can also ensure that the other party does not change their story once speaking with the insurance company. However, if you are at fault for an accident you may not want to call the police because you risk receiving a citation. 

As inferred above, calling the police can be beneficial, especially if the other party is noncooperative. However, calling the police after a car accident is not mandatory. In fact, during busy times the police may actually just tell you to exchange information with the other party rather than respond to the scene of a minor accident. 

On the converse side, the police report can help insurance companies with many aspects of an auto accident claim. It provides a multitude of information as well as statements made by the drivers at the scene of the accident. If there were witnesses who came forward they will also be listed on the police report with their statement. Insurance companies sometimes rely on the police report for additional information regarding vehicle information or information of the other driver their insured may not have been able to provide them with. 

If you feel the other party is being noncooperative or there may be conflicting statement or unclear liability you should definitely call the police for the police report to be filled out. If all appears in line and it was a minor accident reporting to the police is at your discretion.