I get what you’re saying, but sometimes it feels like overkill to call the cops for a dinged bumper, you know? Still, tech repairs are no joke—my friend’s parking sensor cost more than his deductible. Guess it’s better to be safe (and covered) than sorry.
Yeah, it does feel like a bit much sometimes, but I get why people do it. My last car had a backup camera that got messed up from a tiny tap—ended up costing way more than I thought. Insurance wanted a police report, too, which was annoying. Guess it’s just part of dealing with all the tech in cars now. Better to have the paperwork and not need it than the other way around, even if it feels like a hassle.
Better to have the paperwork and not need it than the other way around, even if it feels like a hassle.
I totally get that, but man, the amount of paperwork for even a tiny fender bender is wild these days. Here’s my usual checklist: snap pics from every angle (bonus points if you catch the offending car’s plate), jot down the time and location, and yeah, call the cops if there’s any doubt. I once skipped the report on a minor scrape and my insurance basically shrugged. Lesson learned—tech or not, the red tape’s real.
Yeah, the paperwork grind is no joke. I used to think it was just insurance companies being difficult, but after my last run-in with a hit-and-run in a grocery store lot, I realized they really do want every scrap of info. I’m with you on the photos—take way more than you think you’ll need. I even started keeping a cheap notepad in my glove box just to jot down details, because I always forget something in the moment.
Calling the cops feels like overkill sometimes, especially if it’s just a scratch, but I’ve had adjusters ask for a police report even when it seemed minor. Without it, they basically told me “tough luck.” That stung, especially since I’m trying to keep my premiums down and not pay out of pocket for stuff that wasn’t my fault.
Honestly, I wish there was a way to streamline all this. Like, why can’t we just upload everything in an app and be done? But until that happens, I guess it’s better to be the person with too much documentation than not enough. The hassle up front is annoying, but it beats getting stuck with a bill later.
One thing I learned the hard way—don’t assume the other driver will do the right thing, even if they seem nice at the scene. Had a guy promise he’d “take care of it” and then ghosted me. Now I just get the cops involved if there’s any doubt at all. Might feel awkward in the moment, but it’s less awkward than fighting with insurance for weeks.
It’s wild how much time and energy goes into fixing a parked car ding. Makes me want to park at the far end of every lot... but then again, that’s not always practical when you’re hauling groceries or wrangling kids.
Yeah, that whole “just upload it to an app and be done” idea feels like it should’ve happened by now. Every time I deal with insurance, it’s like stepping into a time warp—fax machines, weird forms, and endless calls. I get why they want all the details, but man, it’s exhausting.
I’ve had a similar situation where the other driver seemed totally reasonable at first, then stopped answering texts the second I mentioned insurance. Now, I don’t even hesitate to get a police report, even if it feels a bit much for a small scrape. Adjusters seem to treat you way more seriously when you have that paperwork. It’s weird, but I guess it’s their way of making sure you’re not just making stuff up.
The notepad tip is smart. I started using my phone’s notes app, but I always forget to open it in the moment. Maybe I need to go old school with actual paper too. Photos are a must, but I never thought about writing down details like weather or the exact spot in the lot, which probably helps.
Parking far away does help, but yeah, when you’ve got a trunk full of groceries or you’re wrangling kids, it’s just not practical. I wish there was a way to make people more accountable. Maybe dash cams for parked cars will be a thing soon? I’ve seen some folks set up motion-activated cameras, but that feels a bit over the top unless you’re really worried.
In the end, I agree—better to deal with a little hassle up front than get stuck with a big bill later. Still, can’t help but wish the process was less of a headache.
