I've never gotten into a major accident and the only fender bender i got into there was barely any damage but it was the other guys fault so i called the cops to see what i should do. When the officer showed up he gave the other guy a ticket and told me my insurance would go up if i filed a claim even though it wasnt my fault. In this type of accident (where both cars are still driveable) I am wondering what to do about insurance and documenting everything without anyone having to get a citation.
2007-04-09 05:02:47 · 6 answers · asked by jacobson 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
If you've ever watched a courtroom tv show, you'll know that if you don't have any documentation to prove your claim, chances are you'll end up in the courtroom yourself, trying to get the other guy to pay. Always call the police in an accident, even if the other person gets a ticket, at least it'll be documented and you'll have something to defend your case with.
2007-04-09 05:10:04 · answer #1 · answered by Lo-Boy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some one is nuts. Why else do you have insurance. here is how insurance companys work.. Money in money out. if money out higher then money in than rates go up. In your case they will collect for the other company. If the accident was your fault then you have to weigh the differnece. For example if your premuim went up 10% a month and your monthly premium is 200 thats 40 bucks a month increase. thats 480 a year. if you have under 480 in damage then yea forget it. Since this accident is clearly not your fault. then report it. However in many states they have what is called comparitive neglegence. Simply stated it means you were there your partially at fault. To tell you how wacky it can work. Party A went through a full stop hit party B broad side. Party B did not have any traffic control device. Party A was driving a 90G mercedes Party B was driving a 3000 jeep. The jeep had 1900 in damage the mercedes about 22g. Tthe insurance company of A said that if party B was going slower he would have noticed party A going through the stop sign and been able to avoid the accident. Ok so it goes to court. Party A 90% at fault. Party B ,because it is likley he was doing more then the posted 25.. everyone does, was 10% at fault.. Whats 10% of 20grand? $2000.. what was the jeep damage?? $1900. So insurance company B wrote a check for 2000 and insurance company A wrote a check for 1710. who came out ahead?? So you see you never know. In this case party B's rates did not go up because the premium collected was more then the money out.. Money in money out. You have insurance your more then likley paying a ton for it.. Use it ... report it. your rates will not go up unless the accident was clearly your fault.
2007-04-12 20:57:03 · answer #2 · answered by asccaracer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call the police and get a police report on the accident, especially if it is not your fault. That way it is on record, and you stand a better chance of getting your car repaired.
I doubt if your insurance will go up, since it was not your fault. However, I have heard of insurance companies canceling people that have been in several or more accidents that were not their fault. They say the people are accident prone. I'm sure this doesn't apply to you, but I thought I'd pass it on. Good luck
2007-04-09 05:09:23 · answer #3 · answered by Fordman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am pretty sure when an accident is deemed the other guys fault then you insurance will not go up, what you need to do is find out where you can get a copy of the police report and then do so find out what it says and if it says that you were not at fault then i would turn it into your insurance company a.s.a.p.
A guy didnt stop at a stop sign and hit my truck a few years back and it got totaled my insurance didnt go up at all and they paid me over eight thousand dollars total
2007-04-09 05:14:24 · answer #4 · answered by bshelby2121 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say you did the right thing. My wife was in a fender bender a couple of years ago, but didn't call the police. She got the name and contact information from the other party, and they said to get 3 estimates and they would pay for it.
However, they thought the estimates were too high, and refused to pay. Now, we cannot contact them and still have the dent in the car.
So better safe than sorry, better to call the police and get a police report.
2007-04-09 05:08:02 · answer #5 · answered by Eric J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Then dont involve your insuarnce ( of course.. what the heck does the police officer know? How on earth did he come to the conclusion your rates will go up? Hes NOT in insurance...)
Call the other guys insurance directly and file a claim.. they should take care of everything.
2007-04-09 06:07:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋