Did you know it is required to contact the police immediately after discovering damage to your car. Yes, if you return from shopping and your car has damage on it, it is necessary to see if there were any witnesses, look for a note, and go to a local law enforcement agency. Note: officers will not come to a private parking area to conduct an official investigation. Insurance does require a accident report with a case number within 24 hours to file the damages under uninsured motorist coverage. Why does this matter? The deductible is usually less than your Collision deductible (what will pay out if you don't have the case number within 24 hours) and the claim is considered an At Fault claim, possibly resulting in a surcharge to your insurance premiums.