Honestly, I’ve been burned by waiting too long before. Had a minor fender bender in a parking lot—figured it was no big deal, but then the other driver filed a claim weeks later. My insurer almost denied coverage because I hadn’t reported it right away. Ever since, I document everything and notify them ASAP, even if I’m not sure I’ll file. It’s just not worth the risk of getting tripped up by some obscure clause.
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I don’t always rush to call my insurer for every little scrape. My rates are high enough as it is, and I’ve heard that even just reporting stuff—without filing a claim—can sometimes end up on your record. Maybe that’s just my luck, but I’d rather not risk a premium hike over something minor unless I know for sure it’s going to be an issue.
Had a similar thing happen last year—tiny scratch in a parking lot, nobody around, no note, nothing. I took pics just in case, but never reported it. Nothing ever came of it. Guess it’s a gamble either way, but I’d rather save the hassle (and possible extra costs) unless it’s really necessary. Just my two cents...