Had a similar situation last summer—barely tapped someone's bumper at a rest stop, no visible damage. Decided to report anyway just to cover myself. Glad I did, because the other driver later claimed hidden damage... insurance handled it smoothly since I'd already documented it.
Definitely smart move to report it, even if it feels unnecessary at first. Had a friend who skipped reporting a minor bump—no visible damage either—and ended up dealing with a headache later when the other driver claimed all sorts of hidden issues. You never know when someone might try to take advantage, so better safe than sorry. Insurance companies appreciate documentation, and honestly, it saves you stress down the road... pun intended.
Had something similar happen a couple years ago. Barely tapped another car backing out of a tight spot—checked it out, no visible scratches or dents, so we both shrugged it off. Fast forward two weeks, I got a call from my insurance about a claim for bumper replacements and paint jobs... total mess. Learned my lesson the hard way—always better to have that paper trail even if it seems pointless at first.
That's frustrating, but you're definitely not alone. I've seen plenty of small taps turn into surprisingly expensive claims down the road. Documenting even minor incidents can save you headaches—and money—in the long run. Glad you shared your experience.
I get your point about documenting everything just in case, but honestly, if there's genuinely no visible damage and both parties agree nothing happened, wouldn't reporting it potentially raise your premiums unnecessarily? I'm new to insurance myself, but my agent mentioned that even minor reports can sometimes impact your rates down the line. Maybe it's worth considering the bigger picture before jumping into paperwork...just a thought.
