I ran into a pole...? Auto Insurance Advice?

Question

I'm currently visiting family. I have never been in an accident. Actually, I prefer not to drive. I went to fill up on gas for my parents and on the way out of the gas station I scraped the whole front door on a low pole--it was about 2ft off the ground and I didn't see it. Either way—the damage has been done!

--ANYWAY--

When they call their insurance company in the morning, what will I have to do?

Their insurance is through Geico and I'm pretty sure it will be covered.

Because it was just a pole I did not call the police. I just left. Was I supposed to do something else?

Will they need my license number or insurance policy?

Will this make my insurance higher?

Should they even tell Geico that I was even driving the vehicle--because I'm not on their policy?

I do not live with my parents. I do not have any financial dependency on them either. I'm independent completely from them finance-wise.

I'm not listed on their insurance. I have my own through a totally different company.

I’ve already offered to pay the deductible but they have already refused. I’m still going to try but we’ll see.

The pole was solid concrete. I did not damage it--not even denting it what-so-ever. It was not a question of other damage. It was just the car that got hurt--severely!

I have never had a DUI or any other accident. I’m not excluded from their policy. I have never been on it actually because I never had my license while in their home.

I would not lie to an insurance company either but I’m just looking at the whole situation. We are extremely honest people.

Answer 1

Since the car was used by an authorized operator (offspring), the insurance company probably will make good on the coverage. Your insurance policy will not be affected, but chances are, your parents may see a slight increase in their premiums (depending upon past history).

My advice would be for your parents to be up front and tell the company it was their child who had the accident (your license number shouldn't even be necessary), have the vehicle repaired and, if it were me, I'd offer to cover their deductable.

The other thing is, where was this pole? If it is a clear hazard, maybe the property owners could be held responsible? Of course, that would open up a whole 'nother can of worms; you'd have to have a lawyer file a civil suit, with pictures, witnesses and other prior incidents documented, which probably isn't worth the hassle.

My best advice is for your parents to have the damage assessed (maybe without notifying the insurance company) and you offering to cover the cost of the repairs. That would save a lot of grief and recriminations (I know, since I had an accident with my father's old Chevy, and paid for all the repairs myownself, rather than risk a premium hike!)

Answer 2

I would recommend that you try this web site where you can get quotes from the best companies: http://insurancetocompare.info/index.html?src=2YAvmb49yviY

RE :I ran into a pole...? Auto Insurance Advice?
I'm currently visiting family. I have never been in an accident. Actually, I prefer not to drive. I went to fill up on gas for my parents and on the way out of the gas station I scraped the whole front door on a low pole--it was about 2ft off the ground and I didn't see it. Either way—the damage has been done!

--ANYWAY--

When they call their insurance company in the morning, what will I have to do?

Their insurance is through Geico and I'm pretty sure it will be covered.

Because it was just a pole I did not call the police. I just left. Was I supposed to do something else?

Will they need my license number or insurance policy?

Will this make my insurance higher?

Should they even tell Geico that I was even driving the vehicle--because I'm not on their policy?
Update: I do not live with my parents. I do not have any financial dependency on them either. I'm independent completely from them finance-wise.

I'm not listed on their insurance. I have my own through a totally different company.

I’ve already offered to pay the deductible but they have already refused. I’m still going to try but we’ll see.
Update 2: The pole was solid concrete. I did not damage it--not even denting it what-so-ever. It was not a question of other damage. It was just the car that got hurt--severely!

I have never had a DUI or any other accident. I’m not excluded from their policy. I have never been on it actually because I never had my license while in their home.

I would not lie to an insurance company either but I’m just looking at the whole situation. We are extremely honest people.
1 following 8 answers

Answer 3

Well, here's the deal.

If there was no damage to the pole they don't have to file a claim unless they want to make a claim for their damages to the vehicle. This is covered under their collision coverage and the deductible will apply. GEICO will want to get a statement from you about what happened and they will probably call the owner of the pole to confirm it was not damaged (I know, it seems silly, but they have to do that). No police report is necessary. Your insurance is not involved as insurance follows vehicles, not people. There is no need to worry about telling them you were driving, just tell them and it will be fine. You were a permissive user so with regard to the liability coverage if you damaged someone else's property you're covered under your parents' policy. With regard to collision coverage unless you were specifically excluded by name on an endorsement, the damages are covered.

Good luck!

Answer 4

If you lie to the insurance company that is fraud. Honey insurance is a felony! DO NOT LIE.

Okay if you have a car and car insurance most likely if Gieco does not cover it your insurance will. If you do not live with your parents and you are just not on their policy their insurance may cover it. If you are excluded from their policy Gieco will NOT cover it. (My son had a DUI and the only way we could get insurance was to EXCLUDE him from our policy. He could NOT drive our cars.)

If you are insured and your folks are insured one of the insurance companies should cover it.

What should you have done? If you damaged thier pole you should have called the police. You may be responsible for paying to have their pole repaired. I am serious.

And most likely your insurance will go up.

I just saw you addendum. You have insurance then you should be covered in any car you drive. You need to call your insirance company. Not theirs.

I see many answers saying not to tell who was driving. That is the worst possible advice anyone can give you. Insurance companies investigate claims. I repeat one more time. INSURANCE FRAUD IS A FELONY. Don't do it. Don't even think about it. Just take the financial hit and get on with your life. If you or your parents get caught scamming an insurance compnay it will be much wrose than you can possibly imagine!

Answer 5

Since you were driving your parent's car, their insurance will cover the damage if they have collision coverage. Just call GEICO and they'll take it from there. Yes, they will need your details -- name, address, D/L, etc. They won't need your insurance information though. Your parent's insurance may well go higher, but oddly enough yours probably will not.

Answer 6

Your parents' policy should cover you, unless you are specifically named as an "excluded driver." Depending on your relationship, your parents may or may not choose to do this, as it will make THEIR insurance higher. At the very least, you should pay the deductible on the policy.

Answer 7

Get an estimate. It may be cheaper to fix the car with your own money than pay the deductible and the higher insurance premiums.

Answer 8

I don't think it mattered that you left. You didn't damage public or private property, other than your parents car. And I really want to tell you that your parents shouldn't even mention you were driving, but I know that is not being honest.

Anyways, welcome back!

Answer 9

Let them (parents take care of it) they don't really have to tell who was driving.

Answer 10

Never gave this much thought