We learned the hard way about whether to call a cop or not. Someone rear-ended my wife's Expedition. It bent in the tow hitch, messed up the plastic/rubber pads on the bumper and cracked the taillights. I had to end up paying the $200 deductible on my insurance cause the "nice, cleancut" (who I met) gave bogus info. So while my insurance company tries to go after this guys insurance company, I have wait for a refund of my deductible. Hopefully I'll get it back, some day. Never again, always a cop.....NO MATTER WHAT! Check YOUR state laws: (excerpt) REPAIR OF MOTOR VEHICLES 2004 Florida Statutes TITLE XXXIII, CHAPTER 559 – PART IX (ss.559.901 – 559.9221) 559.909 Notification of charges in excess of repair estimate; unlawful charges; refusal to return vehicle prohibited; inspection of parts.-- (4) It shall be unlawful for any motor vehicle repair shop to fail to return any customer's motor vehicle because the customer has refused to pay for unauthorized repairs or because the customer has refused to pay for repair charges in excess of the final estimate in violation of this section........ 559.917 Bond to release possessory lien claimed by motor vehicle repair shop.-- (2) The failure of a lienor to release or return to the customer the motor vehicle upon which any lien is claimed, upon receiving a copy of a certificate giving notice of the posting of the bond and directing release of the motor vehicle, shall subject the lienor to judicial proceedings which may be brought by the customer to compel compliance with the certificate. Whenever a customer brings an action to compel compliance with the certificate, the customer need only establish that: (a) Bond in the amount of the invoice, plus accrued storage charges, if any, less any amount paid to the motor vehicle repair shop as indicated on the invoice, was posted; http://www.800helpfla.com/pdfs/MVR04.pdf There is a process, they cannot bully you. Drag the women into it since she wrote a letter to the shop. It would be interesting to know what she wrote. Good luck.