It's case by case. But the general rule is:
If it involves 2 vehicles, no one is hurt, both vehicles are drivable, and everyone is cooperative you do not have to call the police.
I have dealt with about 300-400 accidents in the last 2 years and the majority who say they called the police also said either they never showed up or they didn't write a report.
95% of the time you will get an Driver Information Exchange Form.

Cops don't want to get involved in liability disputes and they will NOT talk to your insurance adjuster. They show up after the fact and have no clue what really happened.

If you file a claim against someone's policy, the insurance company is obligated to conduct a full investigation. And they know the police aren't always involved.

 

My friend's been on the opposite side of that, except his situation was infinitely more hilarious. Long story short, he bumped an X5. Nothing major. Two very large and imposing gentlemen get out and start freaking out, and then freak out even more when my friend gets out and apologizes profusely while calling the police. He couldn't figure out why, and then curiously they just asked for all the cash in his wallet, and drove off.

Turns out the car was stolen.

 

Well the other drivers insurance co is supposed to come out to my work this week and do an estimate on the car which they then send me a check which I take to the dealerhsip...then, if it needs more then what they estimate, the dealer needs to contact them. In the mean time they pay for me to have a rental while the tc is is being worked on. Hope it doesnt take too long as I know my ride doesnt like being seen with a busted face

 

not sure what it means exactly but I thought the damage was just the front bumper cover, today I noticed I can fit my finger between the edge of the hood and the side panel on the side I got hit but on the opposite side I cant which means it is now wider gap on the side that got hit...frame damge? bent panel? I dont know but things definitely arent looking up...see how it goes this week when the insurance estimator comes out.

 

What insurance company are you dealing with?

 

They have state farm insurance

 

State Farm is the largest auto insurer in the US.
What they'll do is once it is at the shop, if there is a supplement, they'll either send an adjuster back out to look at what the shop is asking for, or if it reasonable, they'll just pay the shop to do it.
There should be no out of pocket expense for you. And if you take it to one of their recommended shops, you'll get a lifetime warrantee. I recommend going for that if at all possible, otherwise, if you have issues with the repairs, you are on your own to try to deal with the shop. Dealerships are not always any better than other shops, just more expensive.

And if you have full coverage on your own policy you do not need to take any additional insurance for the rental car. If not, the insurance company WILL pay for it.

 

x2 cuz i know people who "trusted" the person to give insurance info and ended up getting screwed over.