Got into a car accident.. By myself... Should I use insurance to fix it?

[slackerinabox]

So I was a tool and smacked into a tree months ago - the car is pretty much inoperable since I hear a grinding sound while driving and it doesn't feel safe. I've been paying my insurance for these past 3 months but haven't ever gotten around to fixing it - should I call this into insurance and get this repaired even though it's all my fault or should I wait it out, until I get a stable gig and can afford the repairs?

 

[bunker]

Get any estimates?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Find out what's wrong with it and how much it's going to cost you first.

 

[imported_stev]

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
So I was a tool and smacked into a tree months ago - the car is pretty much inoperable since I hear a grinding sound while driving and it doesn't feel safe. I've been paying my insurance for these past 3 months but haven't ever gotten around to fixing it - should I call this into insurance and get this repaired even though it's all my fault or should I wait it out, until I get a stable gig and can afford the repairs?

How did it happen? Did you say the quote in your sig around the time you were driving?

 

[LordMorpheus]

does your insurance even cover it? If you just carry liability you are SOL.

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: stev

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
So I was a tool and smacked into a tree months ago - the car is pretty much inoperable since I hear a grinding sound while driving and it doesn't feel safe. I've been paying my insurance for these past 3 months but haven't ever gotten around to fixing it - should I call this into insurance and get this repaired even though it's all my fault or should I wait it out, until I get a stable gig and can afford the repairs?

How did it happen? Did you say the quote in your sig around the time you were driving?

The parking lot I use (owned by my dad) is like a battle field - pitch black at night and 4 other cars there. I tried to jiggle into a spot and accelerated hard and the left side smacked into a tree, hard, destroying the left side of the bumper, the fender and I think somethign in the wheel well.

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: bunker
Get any estimates?

Not an official estimate but my car geek friend said $1,500-2,000. At least the front bumper and fender need to be replaced, plus whatever's damaged in the wheel well. I'd have to get it towed to get a real estimate and I don't want to blow the cash since, honestly, cash is a little tight. Enough to pay insurance but I can't justify paying for repairs right now.

 

[imported_stev]

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212

Originally posted by: stev

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
So I was a tool and smacked into a tree months ago - the car is pretty much inoperable since I hear a grinding sound while driving and it doesn't feel safe. I've been paying my insurance for these past 3 months but haven't ever gotten around to fixing it - should I call this into insurance and get this repaired even though it's all my fault or should I wait it out, until I get a stable gig and can afford the repairs?

How did it happen? Did you say the quote in your sig around the time you were driving?

The parking lot I use (owned by my dad) is like a battle field - pitch black at night and 4 other cars there. I tried to jiggle into a spot and accelerated hard and the left side smacked into a tree, hard, destroying the left side of the bumper, the fender and I think somethign in the wheel well.

Oh wow, bad news. Sorry to hear that.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212

Originally posted by: stev

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
So I was a tool and smacked into a tree months ago - the car is pretty much inoperable since I hear a grinding sound while driving and it doesn't feel safe. I've been paying my insurance for these past 3 months but haven't ever gotten around to fixing it - should I call this into insurance and get this repaired even though it's all my fault or should I wait it out, until I get a stable gig and can afford the repairs?

How did it happen? Did you say the quote in your sig around the time you were driving?

The parking lot I use (owned by my dad) is like a battle field - pitch black at night and 4 other cars there. I tried to jiggle into a spot and accelerated hard and the left side smacked into a tree, hard, destroying the left side of the bumper, the fender and I think somethign in the wheel well.

Next time, buy a car with headlights...

What kind of grinding sound is it? Maybe just the tire on the plastic fender lining?

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: CadetLee

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212

Originally posted by: stev

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
So I was a tool and smacked into a tree months ago - the car is pretty much inoperable since I hear a grinding sound while driving and it doesn't feel safe. I've been paying my insurance for these past 3 months but haven't ever gotten around to fixing it - should I call this into insurance and get this repaired even though it's all my fault or should I wait it out, until I get a stable gig and can afford the repairs?

How did it happen? Did you say the quote in your sig around the time you were driving?

The parking lot I use (owned by my dad) is like a battle field - pitch black at night and 4 other cars there. I tried to jiggle into a spot and accelerated hard and the left side smacked into a tree, hard, destroying the left side of the bumper, the fender and I think somethign in the wheel well.

Next time, buy a car with headlights...

I had my headlights on but was .. ok.. too confident when I shouldn't have been!

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: CadetLee

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212

Originally posted by: stev

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
So I was a tool and smacked into a tree months ago - the car is pretty much inoperable since I hear a grinding sound while driving and it doesn't feel safe. I've been paying my insurance for these past 3 months but haven't ever gotten around to fixing it - should I call this into insurance and get this repaired even though it's all my fault or should I wait it out, until I get a stable gig and can afford the repairs?

How did it happen? Did you say the quote in your sig around the time you were driving?

The parking lot I use (owned by my dad) is like a battle field - pitch black at night and 4 other cars there. I tried to jiggle into a spot and accelerated hard and the left side smacked into a tree, hard, destroying the left side of the bumper, the fender and I think somethign in the wheel well.

Next time, buy a car with headlights...

What kind of grinding sound is it? Maybe just the tire on the plastic fender lining?

Possibly, what's scary though is that that left side is so banged up that I can't open my left door. Dad said that the frame of the car is slightly bent and that driving it isn't a good idea.

also, the grinding is sporatic and shakes the car, which makes me thing something more serious than superficial damage occured

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: LordMorpheus
does your insurance even cover it? If you just carry liability you are SOL.

I have full coverage, relatively new car (2005) so I got the best coverage allstate offers.

 

[josh0099]

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212

Originally posted by: bunker
Get any estimates?

Not an official estimate but my car geek friend said $1,500-2,000. At least the front bumper and fender need to be replaced, plus whatever's damaged in the wheel well. I'd have to get it towed to get a real estimate and I don't want to blow the cash since, honestly, cash is a little tight. Enough to pay insurance but I can't justify paying for repairs right now.

What is your deductible? If it's $500 I would almost say pay for it yourself, as claiming might raise your insurance etc...

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: josh0099

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212

Originally posted by: bunker
Get any estimates?

Not an official estimate but my car geek friend said $1,500-2,000. At least the front bumper and fender need to be replaced, plus whatever's damaged in the wheel well. I'd have to get it towed to get a real estimate and I don't want to blow the cash since, honestly, cash is a little tight. Enough to pay insurance but I can't justify paying for repairs right now.

What is your deductible? If it's $500 I would almost say pay for it yourself, as claiming might raise your insurance etc...

Yep, it's $500.

I do wonder, how easy is it to suspend insurance and then reinstate it after I have the cash to repair the car? I could technically suspend it, put aside that money and afford the repairs sooner.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
So I was a tool and smacked into a tree months ago - the car is pretty much inoperable since I hear a grinding sound while driving and it doesn't feel safe. I've been paying my insurance for these past 3 months but haven't ever gotten around to fixing it - should I call this into insurance and get this repaired even though it's all my fault or should I wait it out, until I get a stable gig and can afford the repairs?

talk to PAB.

if you have comprehensive, you could say:
"car was parked in walmart parking lot. when i got back, there was a big dent..."

 

[imported_Baloo]

OP was drunk, or showing off, and doesn't want to be flamed for bad driving.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212

Originally posted by: stev

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
So I was a tool and smacked into a tree months ago - the car is pretty much inoperable since I hear a grinding sound while driving and it doesn't feel safe. I've been paying my insurance for these past 3 months but haven't ever gotten around to fixing it - should I call this into insurance and get this repaired even though it's all my fault or should I wait it out, until I get a stable gig and can afford the repairs?

How did it happen? Did you say the quote in your sig around the time you were driving?

The parking lot I use (owned by my dad) is like a battle field - pitch black at night and 4 other cars there. I tried to jiggle into a spot and accelerated hard and the left side smacked into a tree, hard, destroying the left side of the bumper, the fender and I think somethign in the wheel well.

not to be mean, but are you new to driving ?

how did you accelerate hard ....

 

[Number1]

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212

Originally posted by: CadetLee

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212

Originally posted by: stev

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
So I was a tool and smacked into a tree months ago - the car is pretty much inoperable since I hear a grinding sound while driving and it doesn't feel safe. I've been paying my insurance for these past 3 months but haven't ever gotten around to fixing it - should I call this into insurance and get this repaired even though it's all my fault or should I wait it out, until I get a stable gig and can afford the repairs?

How did it happen? Did you say the quote in your sig around the time you were driving?

The parking lot I use (owned by my dad) is like a battle field - pitch black at night and 4 other cars there. I tried to jiggle into a spot and accelerated hard and the left side smacked into a tree, hard, destroying the left side of the bumper, the fender and I think somethign in the wheel well.

Next time, buy a car with headlights...

I had my headlights on but was .. ok.. too confident when I shouldn't have been!

You mean drunk?

 

[Grminalac]

You can use insurance when it is your fault. Here in PA it would be a collision claim, you would pay a deductable and it may/may not raise your insurance... Usually there is a limit and if your repair cost is under that it would not affect nyour insurance rates. Talk to your agent. I have Erie, i think their limit is 1200.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

shens....no parking lot accident is going to bend your frame and cause that much damage. you're not telling the whole story.

 

[LordMorpheus]

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212

Originally posted by: LordMorpheus
does your insurance even cover it? If you just carry liability you are SOL.

I have full coverage, relatively new car (2005) so I got the best coverage allstate offers.

Well then, go ahead and file a claim. If you have full coverage you'll just have to pay the deductable, which should be less than the cost of repairs.

 

[jimmyjam]

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212

Originally posted by: josh0099

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212

Originally posted by: bunker
Get any estimates?

Not an official estimate but my car geek friend said $1,500-2,000. At least the front bumper and fender need to be replaced, plus whatever's damaged in the wheel well. I'd have to get it towed to get a real estimate and I don't want to blow the cash since, honestly, cash is a little tight. Enough to pay insurance but I can't justify paying for repairs right now.

What is your deductible? If it's $500 I would almost say pay for it yourself, as claiming might raise your insurance etc...

Yep, it's $500.

I do wonder, how easy is it to suspend insurance and then reinstate it after I have the cash to repair the car? I could technically suspend it, put aside that money and afford the repairs sooner.

In our office we'll suspend coverage with a quick phone call and re-instate coverage with the same. I can't speak for Allstate though.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: JEDI

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
So I was a tool and smacked into a tree months ago - the car is pretty much inoperable since I hear a grinding sound while driving and it doesn't feel safe. I've been paying my insurance for these past 3 months but haven't ever gotten around to fixing it - should I call this into insurance and get this repaired even though it's all my fault or should I wait it out, until I get a stable gig and can afford the repairs?

talk to PAB.

if you have comprehensive, you could say:
"car was parked in walmart parking lot. when i got back, there was a big dent..."

btw- what happened to PAB? i havent seen him for ~6months?!