I was rearended about a month ago and the guy took off. It cracked/dented my rear bumper on the left side and dented my hatch (its a sorento). The repairs were less than the deductible for uninsured motorist so I didn't open a claim. I also haven't scheduled for the repairs yet, I've just been too busy. Then this morning I was hit again in almost the exact same place. I was stopped at a backed up freeway exit when a lady pulled behind me and swerved to my drivers side. She hit the corner of my bumper, my rear corner panels (both top and bottom ones) dented where my fender is and scratched severely down the back 1/3 of my drivers side. My Q is, if I was in a previous accident in the same place could they tell. and would that effect my current claim..? I have pictures if you provide email I can send them to you to see what I'm talking about.
2007-05-08 09:34:26 · 4 answers · asked by lv82 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
no formal quote was done for the first accident. There is also no rust (it was pretty recently) and there was no paint transfer. The platic bumper cover is what was damaged and it was cracked and scratched.
2007-05-08 10:00:49 · update #1
If they don't ask I'd say don't tell them. Now you know how much the repairs were so does that mean you had an estimate in writing? If not (which I believe) you could just say nothing and hope that her insurance will fix both problems at once being that they'll probably have to replace the bumper and possibly the rear corner panels. I accept emails (go to profile) so if you want to go ahead and send them.
2007-05-08 12:39:29 · answer #1 · answered by Goofy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most likely they will be able to tell that you were previously in an accident - did you get an estimate done on the vehicle? Your insurance company will ask if you had pre-existing damage and if so, you will have to disclose that information, otherwise you would be commiting insurance fraude. As for how it will affect your current claim - most likely - is they will write an estimate for all the new damage, and if there is NO overlapping damage, it will NOT affect your current claim. If there is overlapping damage - it depends - did this new accident cause damage that would have re-caused the old damage to the vehicle? if so - it should all be covered. Did the new accident cause damage to only part of the old damage? then they may deduct some for the old damage. It really depends on how different the damage is - the insurance company can explain it better. The reason they would be able to tell is 1. you previously rec'd an estimate on the old damage, 2. the old damage is rusting or there is evidence that it is clearly not related (different paint transfers).
2007-05-08 16:53:09 · answer #2 · answered by S17V 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a moral question and you should already know the answer to it. And the right and honest thing to do is:________?
Or do you want the karma and have someone someday make YOU pay for damage you didn't do?
By the way, you cannot collect on your uninsured motorist policy unless you IDENTIFY the uninsured motorist.
Bend over once again for the insurance industry.
PS: Sorry for your bad luck, in any event. Take the high road and just eat the first accident.
2007-05-08 21:09:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Groan!!, no matter how slight the damage notify the police and ins co.
Even though there will be no claim, it woul make it easier when things like this occur.
You have pictures of theformer accident-- Great! Show them to your ins co.
2007-05-08 18:00:59 · answer #4 · answered by TedEx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋