Had a similar thing happen with my S-Class a while back—barely nudged a Camry in a tight parking spot. We both looked, couldn’t spot a mark, and the other driver just shrugged it off. Still, I took a few pics just in case. Never heard a word after. I get why people worry, but honestly, if everyone’s cool and there’s no damage, it usually ends there. That said, I’m always a bit paranoid with these newer paint jobs... sometimes the tiniest thing shows up later.
I’m always a bit paranoid with these newer paint jobs... sometimes the tiniest thing shows up later.
Man, I totally get that. I’m the same way—can’t help but worry about those micro-scratches or weird scuffs that seem to appear out of nowhere days later. Honestly, snapping pics was smart. I’ve had a couple close calls where nothing showed at first, then under different light, you spot something. But if both of you checked and agreed it’s fine, you probably did all you could. Just gotta hope for the best sometimes.
- Totally get the paranoia—modern paint is weirdly delicate compared to the old stuff.
- I’ve seen cars where a tiny bump leaves nothing at first, then a week later, there’s a ghostly mark you swear wasn’t there before.
- Snapping pics is always my move too. I even take shots from odd angles, just in case the light catches something I missed.
- If both parties checked it over and agreed it’s fine, you’ve probably covered your bases.
- That said, I’ve had a situation where someone called me days later about a “mystery” scratch. Turns out it was pollen, not paint damage... but it still made me sweat.
- Honestly, unless you see actual damage or the other person wants to report, I wouldn’t stress too much.
- New paint is like a magnet for anxiety, but sometimes you just have to trust your eyes and move on.
- If it helps, I’ve never had a claim come back to bite me after a no-damage bump—knock on wood.
Yeah, I get the worry—paint these days seems to scratch if you look at it wrong. I had a similar thing happen in a grocery store lot last year. Barely tapped someone’s bumper, both of us checked it over, nothing obvious. I took a bunch of pics just in case, but never heard anything back. Honestly, unless there’s actual damage or the other driver wants to make a fuss, I’d rather not get insurance involved and risk my premium going up for no reason. Sometimes you just have to trust what you see and move on...
Honestly, unless there’s actual damage or the other driver wants to make a fuss, I’d rather not get insurance involved and risk my premium going up for no reason.
Totally get that. Insurance companies seem to love any excuse to hike rates these days. I usually snap a few pics and jot down the other car’s plate just in case something pops up later. If there’s no visible damage and both parties are cool, I’d rather skip the paperwork headache. Sometimes it really is just a harmless bump—no need to overthink it.
