Oct 7, 2025
Nobody wants to get dinged for a dent that’s not their fault.
But it happens, especially with minor mishaps in parking lots where car scratches or dents can appear seemingly out of nowhere.
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Picture this: You park at your local mall and as you get out of your car, a woman standing in front of the car next to yours exclaims you just hit her car with your door.
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You declare that you didn’t hit her vehicle, but she’s angry and starts taking photos of your license plate and says she’s going to make an insurance claim.
You’ve had a minor accident and a couple door-ding claims in the past. You aren’t sure how to navigate the situation with your own insurer and wonder if they’ll believe you since your driving record isn’t pristine.
While it’s likely it was all just a misunderstanding and the woman’s car was already damaged, you could be dealing with a scammer who staged or faked car damage to receive an insurance claim payout. (1)
The National Insurance Crime Bureau reports that insurance fraud is second only to tax evasion when it comes to costly white-collar crimes, amounting to billions of dollars every year in the U.S. (2) Staged auto accidents are common. (3)
If you find yourself in this situation, blamed for an accident you didn’t cause, it’s easy to feel anxious and second-guess yourself. Here are some tips on how to handle it.
How to react at the scene
Dealing with an angry driver and false accusations can make for a stressful situation, but try to stay clear and calm to avoid looking defensive or guilty.
Document everything. Take photos of your car and theirs. Get closeup shots of the damage they claim you did.
Grab wider photos of the area that show parking spots or any obstacles.
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Check for nearby security cameras and gather any witnesses that might have been in the parking lot during the time of the incident and get their contact information. (4)
Exchange insurance information but do not admit fault, even if they show you a damage spot or scratch on their car. (5)
After that point, it’s between your insurance and their insurance to determine fault.
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When to call your insurance company
Call your own insurer immediately. While you might want to lay low, it’s in your best interest to be proactive with your insurer.
Legally, many policies require you to notify your insurer of any potential incident or claim. If you don’t and are later found to be at fault, they could deny you coverage. (6)
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If the other driver’s insurance contacts you, avoid offering any information except how to contact your insurance company.
They might seem friendly or approachable on the phone and claim they just want to gather information from you, but remember they are trying to protect their client, not you. (7)
Be sure to keep a log of any photos, emails, and records related to the incident in the event the other driver wants to escalate the situation or sue you.
Hopefully you won’t end up in such a situation, but if you do, remember to let your own insurance do the heavy lifting. It’s their job.
Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
Babcock Tucker (1); National Insurance Crime Bureau (2 and 3); Legalclarity (4, 5 and 7); Morelli Law Firm (6)
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Chris Clark is a Kansas City–based freelance journalist covering personal finance, housing and retirement. A former Associated Press editor and reporter, he writes plainspoken stories that help readers make smarter financial decisions.
