Someone clipped my mirror on the highway and drove off — do I even need to report it?

Almost the exact same thing happened to me a couple years back — someone side-swiped me on a ramp and just kept going. I was so confused about what to do. I ended up calling my insurance just to give them a heads-up, framed it as a 'courtesy notice' with no claim. They logged it and that was it. No rate change, no drama. Felt better having it on record just in case.

Be careful how you word things when you call your insurance. Even saying 'I just wanted to report an incident' can sometimes trigger a claim investigation you didn't ask for. I'd decide ahead of time whether you actually want to open anything or just want it noted. Those are two very different conversations with your adjuster.

Honestly, from the other side of the desk — the scenario you're worried about (the other driver flipping it and claiming YOU hit THEM) does happen, but it's rare when there's a clear lack of damage on your vehicle. Photos with timestamps are your best friend here. The fact that you documented everything right away actually works strongly in your favor if anything ever surfaces. Most hit-and-run drivers aren't looking to draw attention back to themselves anyway.

Even if the police wouldn't come out, you can usually file a self-report with your state's DMV or department of transportation online — sometimes it's called an 'unattended vehicle' or 'hit and run' report. It creates an official timestamp showing YOU were the one who reached out. Not saying you need to, but it's worth knowing the option exists. Check your state's DMV website, takes maybe 10 minutes.

No damage, no injury, partial plate — there's not much of a case here for anyone. Keep your photos, write up a quick personal account of what happened while it's fresh, and move on. You're probably fine.

Ugh, that sounds so stressful even if nothing broke. The 'what ifs' after something like that can really mess with your head. Glad you're physically okay though. I think trusting your gut on documenting things was smart — you'd hate to wish you had later.

Not legal advice, but the reverse-claim concern you raised isn't completely paranoid — it does happen. Your best protection is exactly what you're already doing: photos showing no damage to your car, a written account of events with times and descriptions, and that partial plate. If you ever get a letter from an insurance company or attorney about this incident, don't respond on your own — loop in your insurer immediately.

Quick question — are you sure the mirror is actually okay? Sometimes those fold-back mirrors look fine but the internal housing is cracked or the electronics are messed up (if it's power-adjusting). Might be worth having someone take a closer look before you fully close the book on 'no damage.'