Getting a mystery dent in your car while it's parked in a lot can be frustrating. When the party responsible doesn't share insurance information, you may be left wondering how to go about repairing your vehicle. Use the following information as a guide to deal with this unpleasant situation.

Record The Event

As soon as you notice the damage, take detailed notes of the situation, including where you were parked and what time your car was in the lot. If the damage is extensive, you may want to consider contacting the police. If not, simply record the pertinent information and take pictures of the damage. be sure your pictures capture multiple angles to truly illustrate the extent of the damage. Should you decide to file a claim with your insurance company, these photos may come in handy.

Get Several Repair Estimates

It's a good idea to shop around and find multiple estimates for the cost of repair. Once you have several, you can compare the rates as well as reviews for the auto collision repair shops you've researched. Your estimate will help you determine whether or not you want to file a claim with your insurance company. If the estimate is less than the cost of your deductible, it may be a better option to simply pay for the repair costs out of pocket. You can also be selective about the repairs you choose. For example, you may decide to have the body shop repair a dent but not cover any scratched paint.

Request An Inspection

When you take your car to the auto collision repair shop, be sure to ask to have the area where the dent is located inspected. This is particularly important when the damage is extensive or when it is situated near a quarter panel where sensitive parts of the car might have also been damaged. For example, a collision near the wheel well might have damaged a tire, wheel, or axle, depending on the angle and speed with which the car was hit. Simply repairing the dent won't fix any underlying issues, which may mean more serious repair costs down the road.

Work With Your Insurance Company

If you are filing a claim and the repair work will take more than a few hours, talk to your insurance agent about any options for rental cars that might be available to you. Your insurance carrier may provide a loaner car to help you get to and from work while your car is in the shop. Should you decide not to file a claim, you may want to explore renting a car on your own for the day.

If you have questions or are looking for help through this process, contact a company like Downtown Garage & Auto Body.