Why Do I Need A Missouri Accident Report?
Why Do I Need An Accident Report?
A copy of your official Missouri traffic crash report can be a helpful resource to you in the weeks and months after a car accident. Besides being a handy document to have for your own records, the report contains valuable information that can be useful to your insurance adjuster if you plan to claim insurance benefits.
Your adjuster will use your crash report when they are determining what kind of settlement you are owed. For this reason, you’ll want to recover a copy of your report as soon as you’re able.
Requirements for Obtaining a Missouri Traffic Crash Report
Although it’s always a good idea to call a local law enforcement officer to the scene to file an official report, in some cases, you are legally required to report an accident. Under Missouri Code § 300.110 and Missouri Code § 303.04, you are required to report any accident which results in:
- $500 or more of apparent property damage to any one party
- Death or injury of anyone involved
- Damage to a parked vehicle whose owner cannot be contacted
Common Questions About the Missouri Traffic Crash Report
You are not required to have a copy of your crash report to file a claim with an insurance company. However, many adjusters will request one, as it will help them to better investigate the crash and determine what kind of settlement to give you.
If an officer is not called to the scene, you should collect as much information as you can so that when you individually report the accident, you can have a thorough account of the accident.
When you’re able, however, you should always call a local law enforcement officer to the scene. Not only will the officer be able to issue citations and collect evidence, but they will provide an unbiased account of the accident for your official Missouri traffic crash report.
If you submit a request for a Missouri traffic crash report through the Missouri State Highway Patrol, you will have to pay a $4.90 processing fee. If you submit a request after September 01, 2022, you will have to pay a $5.99 processing fee. With us, you can skip the fees and access a copy of your official report online for FREE today! Click HERE to get started!
Your Missouri Accident Report and the Insurance Company
When you begin the claims process, one of the first things your insurance adjuster will request is a copy of your official Missouri traffic crash report. The adjuster will use the information recorded in the document to better understand the events of the accident as they establish fault and determine causation.
If they don’t have access to a copy of your report, your adjuster will have a much more difficult time investigating the details of the accident. This can cause them to give you a much lower settlement than you were expecting, and can even result in a higher monthly insurance rate.
We’re here to provide you with access to a FREE copy of your official Missouri accident report from the comfort of your own home. Just fill out our easy, 2-minute online questionnaire to get started. Click HERE to begin!
