"now I always snap a quick pic just to cover myself... better safe than sorry, you know?"
I get the logic, but honestly, even snapping a pic might not always be enough. Had a similar thing happen—no visible damage, took photos, thought I was good. But the other driver claimed internal damage later on. Insurance still got involved, and my rates went up slightly. Now I just leave a quick note with my number if there's any contact at all... saves headaches down the line.
Yeah, I see your point, but honestly even leaving a note isn't foolproof. Last summer on a road trip I tapped someone's bumper in a crowded parking lot—no scratch, no dent, nothing. Left my number just to be safe. Next day, guy calls claiming his alignment was off. Alignment from a tiny tap? Really? Insurance got involved anyway, total headache. Sometimes you just can't win...
I get where you're coming from—leaving a note is definitely the responsible thing to do, but it doesn't always protect you. Had a similar experience myself a couple of years back. Pulled into a tight spot at a rest stop during a cross-country trip and barely brushed the car next to me. Checked carefully, zero damage visible, but left my info anyway. Sure enough, the owner called later claiming their bumper needed repainting due to "hidden scratches." I mean, hidden scratches? Really? Insurance got involved, and it turned into a drawn-out hassle. Sometimes people see an opportunity and run with it. Still, I'd probably leave a note again just for peace of mind—but I totally understand why some folks hesitate. It's frustrating when honesty ends up costing you.
Honestly, if there's no visible damage, I'd just move on. Had a similar thing happen once—left a note thinking I was doing the right thing, and ended up paying for someone else's old scratches. People can be opportunistic, and insurance companies rarely have your back. Not saying you should bail every time, but if it's truly nothing...why invite trouble? Just my two cents.
"People can be opportunistic, and insurance companies rarely have your back."
I completely agree with this point. Having owned cars for decades, I've seen firsthand how quickly a minor incident can spiral into an unnecessary headache. A few years back, I had a similar experience—barely tapped someone's bumper in a crowded parking lot. No visible damage at all, but I decided to leave my contact info anyway, thinking it was the responsible thing to do. Big mistake. The other driver ended up claiming for pre-existing dents and scratches that clearly weren't caused by me. Despite my best efforts to dispute it, my insurance company settled without much pushback, and my premiums went up significantly for the next couple of years.
That said, while I generally agree with your perspective, I'd add a note of caution. Even if there's no visible damage, it's wise to take a quick photo or two of both vehicles at the scene. Smartphones make this easy enough nowadays. It's a small step that can save you a lot of trouble later if someone tries to pin unrelated damage on you. Also, consider the location—if you're in a busy public area, there might be security cameras around. Having your own documentation could help protect you if things escalate unexpectedly.
Ultimately, though, if there's genuinely no damage and no one around to witness or report it, I'd probably move on as well. Reporting every minor bump isn't practical, and as you've rightly pointed out, it often invites more trouble than it's worth. Just be cautious and cover your bases whenever possible.
