well the aliens can call our insurance agency if they don't like the dent we put in their ship.

Anything artificial that travelled interstellar distances must be robust enough to survive such impacts without damage.

Yes, but if it is artificial the owners might react differently to an intentional collision by another artificial craft than they would to a chance collision with a small asteroid even if no damage is done.

We'll beam a "no trespassing" warning, first.

Plot for a new movie.

Live action "The Dig" anyone?

Fun fact: “The Dig” was originally planned to be a Spielberg movie, but the cost of special effects made them change it into a Lucasarts Point-and-click adventure game instead.

If I'm remembering the right novel, that novel is surely in my top-5 literary disappointments.

Due to the endless complaints from environmentalists, the hyperspace express route crossing through Earth's solar system, as planned by the Vogons, has be postponed indefinitely. Travelers are advised to avoid the rather patchy B roads in the sector.