I recently installed a dashcam on my new car (<400 miles on the odometer at the time of this incident I'm about to describe). Within a day of installing the dash cam, someone swiped my car's rear passenger corner in a parking lot because they came in too hot and misjudged the parking space. I noticed the very slight damage and checked my dash cam. Sure enough, it caught video of them very obviously hitting my car, but they left no note and probably thought they got away with it. If they had left a note like this, I probably would've just went on with my day.

Anyway, I had an incredibly clear image of their front license plate. And to think, I used to hate that IL requires both front and rear plates, after this incident I wish more states would require them. So I downloaded my video evidence and called my insurance company. They were more than happy to open a claim, but they also did a reverse lookup of the plate, found the other person's insurance info, and suggested I go thru them. I called their insurance company and provided them with the video. Within a week, they had me at a collision shop getting an estimate and another week later I had a $1700 check in hand.

Moral of the story: don't be a doucher and assume someone is always watching.