by CrazedEpidemic » Thu Nov 27, 2008 08:11 am
I was hit and run yesterday. Traffic was merging onto a bridge. I was waiting my turn to get on because a long truck was passing. A car hit the right back side of my car. Since we were on the bridge we didnt stop. I assumed he was gonna stop with me when we could. I saw he damaged his head light and bumper but couldn't see my damages. While we were driving off the bridge, he waved at me and sped off. I followed him even though he was going fast and got his license plate number. I called 911 while I was following him. They told me to stop following him and pull over. They asked for the license plate number but it was saved on a voice mail. They told me to call beck when I got it. When I pulled over and saw my damages I didn't see anything except for a tiny dent. It was night so I didn't see anything else. I drove home and brushed it off. When I woke up the next morning I saw very light small scratches.
My friend said he can fix the small damages and wont charge me but I think I should still report it because he can turn around and blame me correct? Should I tell my insurance company? I have a $1000 collision deductible so I wont be able to make a claim because the damages are less than that. Should I file a police report to find out his insurance information so I can request for the damages to be repaired. Will my insurance premium be affected if he is at fault? I live in New York. Thanks!
My friend said he can fix the small damages and wont charge me but I think I should still report it because he can turn around and blame me correct? Should I tell my insurance company? I have a $1000 collision deductible so I wont be able to make a claim because the damages are less than that. Should I file a police report to find out his insurance information so I can request for the damages to be repaired. Will my insurance premium be affected if he is at fault? I live in New York. Thanks!
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 10:27 am Post Subject:
Hi Crazed, informing the insurer may be a wise move. Informing the insurer doesn't always necessarily mean that you're filing the claim. If the damages are very minor you may decides to pay for he repair work out-of-pocket. You have a pretty high deductible on you collision coverage. Hence the repair cost may falls well below the rate of deductible even. Get a quote from the body shop, it'll help you in deciding the future course of actions.
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 10:35 am Post Subject:
You need to file the police report about the accident. Its great that you have managed to get his license plate number, turn it to the cops and they will find the whereabouts of this driver along with the insurance information. Take snaps of your damages, which you may need at the time of claim settlement.
Collision is an expensive component of the auto coverage, hence you may not wish to take the pain to report the claim to your insurer and since the damages are minor the trouble may not even worth undertaking.
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 10:56 am Post Subject:
Will my insurance premium be affected if he is at fault?
Well, it may depend upon the individual insurance company, but many companies may not hike your rates for the not at-fault accident. Also some carriers may offer a ‘free accident forgiveness' even for the first at-fault accident if the client has stayed in the policy for a sufficient period of time without filing a single claim during this period.
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 11:47 am Post Subject:
My friend said he can fix the small damages and wont charge me but I think I should still report it because he can turn around and blame me correct? Should I tell my insurance company?
Since you are repairing it on your own, personally I'd file a police report then if they find him you can request your friend be paid for your repairs (take a bunch of photos prior to repair or nobody should have to pay you, with todays newspaper there in atleast one picture)....personally i wouldn't report it to my carrier i would however pursue it with the police...Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 04:47 pm Post Subject:
thanks for your advice everyone. If I file a police report will the insurance companies find out?
Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 07:33 am Post Subject:
Well, if you don't file a claim with the insurer the claim will not get reflected in your CLUE report, which the insurers pull out to check the insurability of the policy holder. However, all accidents get reported to the Department of Motor Vehicle and you or the police are required to report the same of the DMV as well.
An accident filed with the DMV will be reflected on your record (if you are responsible for the accident) about which the insurer may come to know. However, if the officials fail to locate the other driver responsible for the damages, the incident will then go in your driving record.
Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 11:43 am Post Subject:
no OP they shouldn't but you need to do one or the other, and I mean yesterday...you don't want this guy coming back saying it's you that hit and ran...move quickly and get the cops involved...or your carrier, but do one now, before this blows up in your face, not saying it will but it has the potential to, if you just do nothing.,
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