Ugh new car hit in the parking lot:budget buster

[Kitzka]

I'm so irritated. I have a 16 month old car. We tend to buy cars and keep them for 10-15 years. The new car was the first new car in about 13 years. Our other car is a 1999 camry.

Yesterday when DD and I came out of the mall, I noticed a huge dent on the passenger side door. The door can close but not all the way. I don't think it's 100% safe that way so we got an estimate today. If we OAU in cash it would be $850. If we pay in credit closer to $1000. We can go through insurance but there is a $500 deductible and our insurance rates will go up for years.

DH is out getting more estimates now but I'm so irritated about this. I want to get it fixed but have to figure out what we will give up to make it happen. ~sigh~

Lara

 

[Kellydelly]

Did you call your insurance? It sounds like property damage, so you may not be out of pocket anything to get it repaired. I backed into my neighbor's car and they didn't have to pay a dime to get their car fixed, and neither did I. It's too bad the person who hit you didn't own up to it. Why would your insurance rate go up if the damage wasn't caused by you?

 

[Kitzka]

I'm nit 100% sure why the rates would go up. DH called while i was out and that is what he said. But maybe I'll call on Monday and ask. Thanks kellydelly. Maybe there is a light...

Lara

 

[Riles_and_Gabe]

Hi...I am an insurance agent in MA. Your rates would not increase, you would have to pay the deductible but because you did not cause the damage it would not affect your rates.

 

[hsmamato2]

let us know how it goes!

 

[Kitzka]

Hi...I am an insurance agent in MA. Your rates would not increase, you would have to pay the deductible but because you did not cause the damage it would not affect your rates.

Thank you! I just called the insurance myself and they said what you said. I don't know what he did say or did not but I feel a lot better.

Lara

 

[mrspaha]

That's super that it won't affect your rates. I have always thought that your rates will go up based on the number of claims you file. In fact, I was/am under the impression that it's based on the "number" of claims you file, as opposed to the dollar amount they have to pay out. In other words, if you file a claim where they have to pay out say $800 versus one where they have to pay out $5,000; your rate increase would still be the same. Does anyone know if I'm wrong about this too?

 

[Disneybuckeye]

This is why I always park out in the middle of no where and in places to limit how many cars can park next to me or can hit me. Both DH and DD have had damage done to two of our cars while parked. It really is a bummer that people are dishonest about their mistakes.

 

[MaleficentRN]

That's super that it won't affect your rates. I have always thought that your rates will go up based on the number of claims you file. In fact, I was/am under the impression that it's based on the "number" of claims you file, as opposed to the dollar amount they have to pay out. In other words, if you file a claim where they have to pay out say $800 versus one where they have to pay out $5,000; your rate increase would still be the same. Does anyone know if I'm wrong about this too?

I'm not sure on this either. Maybe it varies from state to state or insurer to insurer, but when we tried to find a lower car insurance rate, we couldn't and were told it was in part due to the three no fault accidents DH had in three years.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

Have you asked the mall if they have security cameras? If so you might get lucky and they might be able to tell who damaged your car (via their car/ plate number)

Good luck and sorry that happened to you !

 

[PatMcDuck]

I'm not sure on this either. Maybe it varies from state to state or insurer to insurer, but when we tried to find a lower car insurance rate, we couldn't and were told it was in part due to the three no fault accidents DH had in three years.

DS had this problem too, they said he had too many claims. One was a hit and run accident (he was hit from behind and the other driver sped off, police were involved), another time he hit a huge raccoon and it caused quite a bit of damage underneath the car. We had to drop him off our policy..... (which is fine, he is an adult and it was TIME)

 

[Kitzka]

DS had this problem too, they said he had too many claims. One was a hit and run accident (he was hit from behind and the other driver sped off, police were involved), another time he hit a huge raccoon and it caused quite a bit of damage underneath the car. We had to drop him off our policy..... (which is fine, he is an adult and it was TIME)

I'm so sorry! I hate that none of those were things he could do anything about but he has to pay.

To update my situation-we are going to pay the deductible and have their shop fix the car. We got 2 estimates today and one was about 1000 (850 if we pay in cash)-and the other was $1500. So better to go through insurance.

I may stop by the mall tomorrow to see if they could help with the cameras in the parking lot. Not sure they will help but it doesn't hurt to ask right?

Lara

 

[monarchsfan16]

My sister had this happen on Black Friday, in a Kohls parking lot. My boyfriend has worked store security at multiple stores, so I asked him about talking to the store, to see if they got it on camera. He says that at pretty much all stores, unless you're right up front, it's not worth it. The cameras are really only for catching people leaving the store with stolen goods, and they're set for viewing accordingly. You can check with the mall, but chances are very slim that they caught it on camera.

 

[t2simon]

Same thing happened to me at the local grocery store. Brand new, only had the car for a couple of weeks! I went to the store manager and he said that the store cameras only cover the front of the store...the lot is owned by the property management and they don't have cameras in the lot, so I was out of luck. With a mall it may be different, because I think they own the lot as well as the actual building.

Good luck!