Tiny parking garage tap — do I even have to tell my insurance?

Almost identical thing happened to me in a grocery store lot. I didn't report it, the other person didn't either, and that was that. Sometimes people just move on. That said I was sweating for like two weeks waiting for a letter that never came lol.

Check your policy. Some insurers have a clause that says you're supposed to report any collision, no matter how minor. That doesn't mean they'll raise your rate — many won't act on a no-claim report — but if you're technically required to notify them and you don't, it can create headaches down the road if something does come up. Just call and ask hypothetically what their reporting requirement is. You don't have to open a claim just by calling.

Worked claims for years. Here's the real talk: a report with zero dollars paid usually has little to no impact on your premium. What actually moves the needle is a paid claim. If you call in and say 'hey, minor contact, no damage worth claiming,' most companies will just log a 'notice only' file and close it. The thing I'd worry about more is the other driver. If he decides two weeks from now his back hurts or his bumper suddenly needs replacing, having that log on file actually protects you because it timestamps your version of events.

Don't assume the other guy is just going to forget about it. People file claims for stuff like this all the time, sometimes weeks later, and then you're hearing about it for the first time from an adjuster who already has his statement. Get ahead of it.

A few things worth knowing: exchanging info creates a paper trail whether you report it or not. If he files with his insurer, his insurer may subrogate against yours, meaning your insurance finds out anyway — just without your side of the story already in the system. Also, most states don't require you to file a police or DMV report below a certain damage threshold, but that's separate from your contractual duty to your own insurer. Two different things.

From a purely human standpoint — are you feeling okay physically? Even super low-speed bumps can cause a stiff neck the next morning that you weren't expecting. I'd just keep tabs on how you feel for the next few days before assuming it's totally a non-event.

Ugh this kind of ambiguous situation is so stressful. You did the right thing by swapping info at least. Hope it just fades away for both of you 🤞

Not legal advice, but generally speaking your insurance contract is a separate obligation from any legal reporting requirement. Read your declarations page or call your agent — ask specifically whether a 'notice only' report affects your rate tier. Most carriers distinguish between notices and claims. If the other party does file, you'll want your own timestamp on record. Short version: a quick call to your insurer to understand your options costs you nothing.