Buying the report online, step by step
- Get the report or incident number from the police agency that came to the crash. Officers often hand it to drivers at the scene. The State Police crash unit will not look it up for you.
- Wait for the report to be submitted. Most reports reach the state system 3 to 30 days after the crash, depending on the agency.
- Create a MiLogin account and open the Traffic Crash Purchasing System at michigan.gov/tcps.
- Search for the report and pay $15. Your receipt stays under “Purchase History” in the same account.
Reports can be bought this way for up to 10 years after the crash. For older records, or information the system doesn’t have, the State Police take Freedom of Information Act requests.
The online system is the only way the State Police sell crash reports; they won’t release them by phone, mail, email or fax. Some local police departments also sell reports directly, so if the state system doesn’t have yours yet, ask the department that responded.
What to check on your report
- Names, vehicles, plates and insurers for everyone involved. The other driver’s insurer is who you send a mini-tort demand to, and the insurers listed help decide which insurer pays your no-fault benefits.
- The narrative and diagram. Adjusters often read these first when deciding fault.
- Injuries noted at the scene. Pain that starts later is common and is not a reason a claim fails, but tell your doctor about every symptom.
- Citations. A ticket is evidence of fault but does not decide it. See comparative fault.
If something is wrong, contact the agency that wrote the report. Officers decide whether to change a report or add a supplement; they generally won’t change their opinion about fault, but they can fix a misspelled name or the wrong insurer.
Why the report matters for your claim
- No-fault benefits don’t depend on fault, but the report confirms a motor vehicle crash happened and identifies the insurers. Apply in writing within one year either way. See the deadline calculator.
- Car damage: a mini-tort demand for up to $3,000 usually starts with the report.
- An injury claim against the other driver turns on fault and on the injury itself. See suing the at-fault driver.
Sources: Michigan State Police, Traffic Crash Reporting Unit FAQ (michigan.gov/msp), checked November 7, 2026; House Fiscal Agency, “MSP Traffic Crash Report Fees” (March 2026); MCL 257.622.
Questions people ask us
How do I get a copy of my Michigan car accident report?
Buy it online through the Michigan State Police Traffic Crash Purchasing System (TCPS) at michigan.gov/tcps. You need a MiLogin account, and the report costs $15. The state does not sell reports by phone, mail, email or fax.
How long does it take for a Michigan crash report to be available?
Usually 3 to 30 days, depending on how quickly the police agency submits it. No deadline requires agencies to submit reports by a set date.
What if I can’t find my report online?
Contact the police agency that took the report, named under “Department Name” at the top of the report, and ask for the report number and status. Reports more than 10 years old require a Freedom of Information Act request.
Do I need the police report for a no-fault claim?
It is not required to apply for no-fault benefits, but it helps. Insurers use it to confirm the crash, the vehicles and insurers involved, and often fault, which matters for a mini-tort or an injury claim against the other driver.
