car accident problems...

[Wah]

my gf borrowed my car. she was in a parking lot and she scratched a parked car's bumper by mistake. she freaked out and left without leaving a note or anything. I got a letter from the police today saying that a witness took down my plate #. Now my gf is really freaking out.. we are gonna call the police tomorrow and tell them the truth.

whats gonna happen to us? bah this sucks!

 

[Superdoopercooper]

You'll probably be ok. You won't be going to jail and becoming someone's bubba....

They'll probably cite her for leaving the scene fo an accident and not leaving any info. That may be all. So, that'll cost you and extra $???.??

Other than that... I'm sure you'lljust have to pony up for the scratch on the bumper. May I suggest that you BLOW OFF submitting the claim to your insurance if you can afford it... because your deductible will likely be higher than the scratch repair (if it is a minor scratch), and once the insurance knows about the situatino, you'll likely get socked with higher premiums.

 

[kev0ut]

If you need that witness taken care of, I know a guy who knows a guy...

 

[Wah]

lol.. thanks.

how do I go about settling this without involving the insurance co.? I've never been in an accident before.

 

[Viperoni]

Pray she doesn't get charged with leaving the accident scene....that's a LOT of insurance points :Q

On a harsher note, this is a prime example of why women shouldn't drive!

 

[jjones]

send a letter back to the police denying everything.

 

[Superdoopercooper]

You just ask the "victim" to have his car appraised at a body-shop, ask to look over the #'s to see if it is reasonable (show it to a friend who knows about autos for additional advice... or see if you can have "your guy" look at their car also if possible).... then, if the quote is in the range that you can afford (your deductible is proly $500, so anything less than $750 or so would make this an "out of pocket" type of deal).

HOWEVER... my wife and I almost did this... we go an initial quote of about $350 when someone rear ended her... looked like some paint scratches. The "rammer" said he would cough up the cash himself... but we talked to our insurance agent, and he suggested going through that guy's insurance company incase anythign else was wrong (I looked at it when she got home... and it looked worse than a paint scratch... that is why we contacted our agent).

When teh shop started working on it... they found some other damage "below" the surface... total bill at the end $880. So, if we would have taken his $350, we'd have been out $530 to get a full fix-up.

Why do I tell you this? You are in the "rammer" position , and it all honesty, it makes sense for you to settle under the insurance co's radar. I am by no means telling you to be dishonest.... the "victim" has every right to go through your insurance if he desires... and has every right to get his car fixed fully. So, you dont' want to try to cheat him/her. But, if it truly is just some scratched paint.... I don't think the "victim" will mind.

Sorry about the dramatic words like "victim" and "rammer"... just mkes the whole thing sound more People's Court-ish or somehting

 

[Atrail]

Well the cops will have to get you in touch with the owner of the vehicle.
If the cops ask for your insurance info. (which I doubt they will) then there is not much you can do.
They will most likely give you the number of the person whos' car was damaged.
If that person insists on using the insurance company there is nothing you can do.
Give them the insurance info. apologize for the accident and inconvience ask if they could possibly
get a estimate or two and that you will pay them cash for the damage amount.
If they decline your offer, well at least you tried.
If you get a citation issued to you, your insurance company will find out about it.
Most people are cool about it and understand how insurance companys rape us (especially males between 16-25) and have no problem helping you out.
But then there is those other people.

 

[Jejunum]

i cant believed no one asked

we wanna see pics; of the girlfriend that is!
haha
gluck with ur troubles; if you goto prison can i have your gf?

 

[punkrawket]

<< On a harsher note, this is a prime example of why women shouldn't drive! >>



harsh?

 

[Thegonagle]

Cash out of pocket offer not withstanding, if your GF has a policy, she should use hers. Her rates won't go up nearly as high as yours will. If she doesn't, you'll need to use yours.

 

[Wah]

I wasn't driving, so I wouldn't get the ticket, right? So unless the "victim" insists on involving the insurance co, then my insurance co won't find out right?

What happened was, my car (an SUV) went over the front of the car... my lic plate scratched the top of the bumper, so it was definately only a paint scratch.

 

[Wah]

<< i cant believed no one asked

we wanna see pics; of the girlfriend that is!
haha
gluck with ur troubles; if you goto prison can i have your gf? >>



if i posted a pic of my gf, she'd have my nuts on a platter.

 

[Atrail]

If you don't get a ticket and the person who's car is damaged never calls your insurance company.
Then there is no way for the Ins. company to find out.
Best of luck to You!