by Guest » Thu Sep 18, 2008 12:32 am
I scratched a person's car which I seriouly didn't even realized that I scratched it. And the next day police came and asked for my driver's license and my cousin insurance information. The police told me there's nothing to worry about the insurance company will cover it. So after a few days that person call my work place and ask my boss to tell me to pay him $750 for the scratch. So i call him back and can't get a hold of him. And I went to the police station and he wasn't there. So i went home, then the police call me told me that it is a non-reportable accident. He said I can sure pay for it, but insurance company should cover it. And he told me it wasn't a big scratch. I want to know how could I deal with that person? I mean it's my fault, yes, I will take the penalty on what I did, but not based upon the that he said. I mean $750 is too much for a SMALL scratch. Honestly I haven't seen the scratch. The car doesn't belong to me, it belongs to my cousin. so if I call the insurances company will my cousin's insurances go up? Which way is the best way? Call the person and deal with it myself if the prize wasn't that high or call the insurance company to deal with it??
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 12:43 am Post Subject:
What too many pronouns...
So after a few days that person call my work place and ask my boss to tell me to pay him $750 for the scratch..
I would assume the other person called your employer (the only way he'd get that number is if you gave it to someone).So i call him back and can't get a hold of him. And I went to the police station and he wasn't there.
Who wasn't there? The other person?Do you have insurance, are you listed as a driver on your cousins policy? Do you both live the same household. If the answers are no, no, and yes... then you may have an issue of coverage.
If you personally don't have insurance, report the loss to your cousins carrier and let them address the situation. When the call you, let them know that you think it's only a small scratch and that $750 sees like a bit much. They should send someone out to inspect the damage so that the correct amount can be paid.
You can pay for it out of your pocket of your want but you would need to do it very quickly. This would be difficult as you don't think $750 is reasonable for the repairs. If you want to go this route, ask the person if you can take a look at the damage and ask him to give you a copy of the estimate.
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 01:02 am Post Subject:
I mean $750 is too much for a SMALL scratch
Well not necessarily it depends on the car and where EXACTLY the scratch is it may have scratched two panels, where the scratch is might require blending it may be a three stage color...you might live in an areas who's body shop rates are 75 bucks an hour...I'm with Todd (mostly) turn it in to cousins carrier, but ask them after they find out the repair costs would they let you know because you may want to pay it yourself rather than have cousins carrier pay it...(happens with the company I work for quite frequently)....Cousins rates could go up that's another question to ask his carrier, if I were you I'd have nothing, and I mean nothing to do with this person, until cousins carrier/adjuster has done their job...
Also if you were a permissive driver (cousins said you could drive his car) I see no coverage issue at all whether you live with them or not...however if you do and have ready access to the car and drive it regularly they will likely send in an under writing report requiring you be rated on the car.
Let us know if we can be of further assistance....
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 05:31 am Post Subject:
Its strange that you haven't realized that you have scratched the other person's car. And guess that you haven't stopped either to exchange your insurance information after the accident, then how does the other driver found out where you live.
I go with tcope, you must have had given your employer's number either to the police or to the other driver, otherwise there is no way he can call up at your office.
You're required to turn the claim to your cousin's insurance and let their adjusters dig dip into it.
~Jeremy
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 06:10 am Post Subject:
Jeremy,
Many a times you might not realize the moment you collide with another vehicle if its not sever in nature, may be the OP was driving at high speed at the pick of the hours.
However, OP,the issue that concerns me is that why do you have to turn the claim to your cousin's insurance. Is he the primary driver of the vehicle?
I presume that you had your cousin's permission to drive the vehicle, otherwise getting coverage form his carrier may become an issue.
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 10:47 am Post Subject:
However, OP,the issue that concerns me is that why do you have to turn the claim to your cousin's insurance. Is he the primary driver of the vehicle?
He (cousin) is the owner of the vehicle and the only possible ins coverage in question.Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 12:47 am Post Subject:
WHY ARE YOU DRIVING W/O INSURANCE? 750 IS CHEAP FOR A SCRATCH IN MY AREA, CA DMV DOES NOT REQUIRE YOU TO REPORT IF 750 OR LESS. YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO LOWER THE AMOUNT OR REQUEST ESTIMATES BUT THE ESTIMATES MAY GO WELL OVER 750. PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR YOUR COUSINS SAKE AND GET INSURANCE AND CONSIDER THIS A LIFE LESSON AND YOU GOT OFF CHEAP FOR THIS LIFE LESSON.
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