by Nickboy333 » Sat Apr 12, 2008 07:21 pm
Hello ! I am an exchange student on F1 Visa in California and am having big problems with the DMV to to an incident that happened to me.
Let me explain further : I am a student without a car (I ride bike to Uni and do all my stuff with bike) but decided to buy a car soon. I got my california license easily and prepared to save to buy a car. However in the meantime a neighbor proposed me to lend me his car because he had pity to see me bike everywhere for groceries. Remember I am 19 and HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT THE LAWS IN CALIFORNIA and NOBODY INFORMED ME OF ANYTHING. I accepted and drove the car to the supermarket. However one day I parked too close to one car and scratched a little bit of paint off the car (a red medium priced convertible). I discussed with the driver and told him I would pay him cash whatever he needed. I did not report the incident because I HAD NO IDEA I JHAD TO (we often settle like that in GERMANY ). However soon (1 month after)the DMV calls me and tells me to fill out a financial responsibility form for damages OVER 750 DOLLARS. I talked to the neighbor and he just said : "oh my insurance doesnt cover you, work it our yourself". (i cannt say if his insurance does cover me or not). Anyway I never thought the damages were over 750 Dollars and sent a request for hearing disputing the damages which has been approved. However then I received a letter from the insurance of the other party requesting me to pay 800 DOLLARS ! I talked with my parents over in Europe and they said "just pay it" and so I did. The insurance told me they would send me a release form or something and then I would be able to keep my license. HOWEVER (and here is the PROBLEM) I talked to DMV because I thought "why do I need the dispute form because now I paid everything" but DMV agents told me if I CANCEL MY DISPUTE HEARING then I will certainly lose my license !
So...What should I do from now on ? I didnt cancel the dispute but paid everything to paragon insurance. (By the way, the insurance told me what had been paid for and Im not a pro but I still think it was too expensive but am not 100 percent sure).
I am an HONEST student from Germany and dont want to lose my license for 4 years or I dont know how many because of a SCRATCH in the parking lot !!!!
PLEASE HELP ME !!!!!
Niki
Let me explain further : I am a student without a car (I ride bike to Uni and do all my stuff with bike) but decided to buy a car soon. I got my california license easily and prepared to save to buy a car. However in the meantime a neighbor proposed me to lend me his car because he had pity to see me bike everywhere for groceries. Remember I am 19 and HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT THE LAWS IN CALIFORNIA and NOBODY INFORMED ME OF ANYTHING. I accepted and drove the car to the supermarket. However one day I parked too close to one car and scratched a little bit of paint off the car (a red medium priced convertible). I discussed with the driver and told him I would pay him cash whatever he needed. I did not report the incident because I HAD NO IDEA I JHAD TO (we often settle like that in GERMANY ). However soon (1 month after)the DMV calls me and tells me to fill out a financial responsibility form for damages OVER 750 DOLLARS. I talked to the neighbor and he just said : "oh my insurance doesnt cover you, work it our yourself". (i cannt say if his insurance does cover me or not). Anyway I never thought the damages were over 750 Dollars and sent a request for hearing disputing the damages which has been approved. However then I received a letter from the insurance of the other party requesting me to pay 800 DOLLARS ! I talked with my parents over in Europe and they said "just pay it" and so I did. The insurance told me they would send me a release form or something and then I would be able to keep my license. HOWEVER (and here is the PROBLEM) I talked to DMV because I thought "why do I need the dispute form because now I paid everything" but DMV agents told me if I CANCEL MY DISPUTE HEARING then I will certainly lose my license !
So...What should I do from now on ? I didnt cancel the dispute but paid everything to paragon insurance. (By the way, the insurance told me what had been paid for and Im not a pro but I still think it was too expensive but am not 100 percent sure).
I am an HONEST student from Germany and dont want to lose my license for 4 years or I dont know how many because of a SCRATCH in the parking lot !!!!
PLEASE HELP ME !!!!!
Niki
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 09:59 pm Post Subject:
First, there is actually a very good chance your neighbors insurance would provide you coverage and paid the bill... you neighbor just did not want to report the loss to his/her insurance company.
If the state knows about the accident, the other party must have filed a police report. If so, I'm betting the DMV notification was due to no proof of insurance on your end. If this is correct, of course you did not show proof of insurance... you did not know the loss would be reported. I say this as I think this is why the DMV is telling you that unless you continue with the "dispute" your license will be suspended (as proof of insurance is required). I'd recommend calling the DMV and see if this information is correct. Let them know that you don't own the vehicle you were driving and now the owner is being uncooperative and not giving you his/her insurance information. See where that goes. Also let them know you've settled the loss and are getting documentation to that effect from the other party.
Trust me... a scratch caused by a car can be $800.
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 10:41 pm Post Subject:
Thank you very much ! I will call DMV and tell them about that!
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 04:59 am Post Subject:
I will call DMV and tell them about that!
If calling the DMV doesnot solve your problem, we'd again take it up from there. Please get back to us in time, also make sure that you inform us about the proceedings from time to time.
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 06:46 am Post Subject: Thanks
I will call them on Monday as they are closed on Sunday
EDIT : Called them. They said everything is fine and I just have to file an accident report. I will do that and report back here if anything goes wrong.
Thanks for the help !!
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