What to do about DS18 car accident?

[jerseygirl81]

Our DS18 had a car accident, the good thing is there were'nt any injuries. The bad news is he needs another car. We did'nt put a claim in to the insurance because our auto insurance just came down from an accident DH has a few years back. The other driver told DS he was going to have his truck fixed and the accident report said DS said it was his own fault, but he said that what he actually said was it was not the other drivers fault so the guy would'nt get upset (he's new to all this stuff), he did'nt mean it was his own fault just an accident. So now we figure when the driver puts in his claim with the accident report the other guys insurance co. will come back to our insurance looking for money since it says its DS's fault. So now I'm thinking maybe we should put in a claim as well because they will probably raise our insurance even if we don't put in a claim for his car maybe just not as much. Before the accident the car would have been worth around $3000, we think they would total it out, the other guy just had the bumper on his truck shifted to the right so not as big of a claim. We also have a $500 deductible. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Linda

 

[J/T Gramdma]

Report it to protect yourself from being sued by the other driver as your son "admitted" fault]. If they don't pay out ,they may not raise your payments.

 

[jerseygirl81]

I did'nt think of that, I guess need to at least report to the insurance. Thanks, Linda

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Our DS18 had a car accident, the good thing is there were'nt any injuries. The bad news is he needs another car. We did'nt put a claim in to the insurance because our auto insurance just came down from an accident DH has a few years back. The other driver told DS he was going to have his truck fixed and the accident report said DS said it was his own fault, but he said that what he actually said was it was not the other drivers fault so the guy would'nt get upset (he's new to all this stuff), he did'nt mean it was his own fault just an accident. So now we figure when the driver puts in his claim with the accident report the other guys insurance co. will come back to our insurance looking for money since it says its DS's fault. So now I'm thinking maybe we should put in a claim as well because they will probably raise our insurance even if we don't put in a claim for his car maybe just not as much. Before the accident the car would have been worth around $3000, we think they would total it out, the other guy just had the bumper on his truck shifted to the right so not as big of a claim. We also have a $500 deductible. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Linda

Report it to protect yourself from being sued by the other driver as your son "admitted" fault]. If they don't pay out ,they may not raise your payments.

J/T is right, report it to protect yourself. Also, if there is a police report your insurance will know about it sooner or later, just depends on how often they pull the reports. This is according to DH who sells car insurance for several carriers.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I hope that there is a police report. That will help establish responsibility. I would for sure report to your insurance and let them handle it. My DN 16 had an accident recently and the other car did not do what they said they were going to do. They came back and tried to claim injury and more damage to the car than there was. It was nice to let the insurance take care of everything. He was giving a ticket for failing to reduce speed but the other car also received citations for various things.
Also, don't be so sure they will total the car. We though for sure they would but it is based on a % of what the car is worth and they would not total it

So glad your child is ok.... that is all that really matters

 

[ozziejen2000]

Couple of things from a prior claims adjuster here.

With regards to your vehicle, take pictures of it and get an estimate on what it would be to repair it.

Report to your insurance, they will find out eventually if the other party reports it.

Your deductible applies to your car repairs, not the other party. Your liability coverage is what pays for the other car's damages and their injuries if any.

Let your insurance company take your son's statement and the other party's statement. If there is a dispute, they will fight for you. They will also pay for the other party's vehicle damages if your son is at fault.

You pay auto insurance premiums for accidents. If you have any other questions, let me know. I am in California and I know that New Jersey has different laws when it comes to liability. But for the most part, my advice above is good for any state. Good luck.

 

[tar heel]

ozziejen -- my son was in an accident recently. totally and completely not his fault. the other driver admitted fault and there was a witness -- police report was very clear. her insurance took care of everything -- damage was around just under $1,000. we did not report it to ours -- should we have?

 

[jerseygirl81]

Thanks for the advice I will report the accident tomorrow and send them the police report. Thanks, Linda

 

[mjkacmom]

His insurance is going to contact your insurance agency anyway. Living here in NJ, DH, who tends to get into little fender benders, and I (I once scraped an SUV pulling over to answer my cellphone) always just beg the other party to just let us pay OOP, because the insurance increase after a claim will be HUGE! I can't imagine how much an 18 year old male's insurance is going to be!

 

[timmac]

I agree with PPs who've pointed out that you want to call your insurance company if only to protect yourself from stuff hitting the fan later.

But, beyond that, I have another question. We're talking about a vehicle worth about $3000, and you're concerned about not wanting to file because you don't want your rates to go up, which I understand. But, if you wouldn't file for the damages to your own (DS's) vehicle, then why not drop the collision coverage on that vehicle? It seems silly to pay for coverage that you wouldn't even use anyway.

 

[ozziejen2000]

Tar heal - you do not need to report the accident to your insurance carrier. I would recommend it if there is a dispute in liability or if the other party is trying to pull something. In your case, there is clear liability and they already took care of the damages, you are fine.

 

[seashoreCM]

Tar heal - you do not need to report the accident to your insurance carrier. I would recommend it if there is a dispute in liability or if the other party is trying to pull something. In your case, there is clear liability and they already took care of the damages, you are fine.

I beg to differ. Report all accidents no matter how slight.

If you feel that it is far from your fault, you mark each page with "Information Only" at the top and the bottom.

At the scene of the accident, never admit fault.

 

[Irin997]

As someone who has been sued by a money crazy woman after I hit her (when she was speeding like a bat out of you know where down an off ramp), report to your insurance company. My insurance company acted as my lawyer when said crazy woman sued me for medical payments and psychological damages to the tune of $16,000. Thanks goodness my insurance at the time was for $20,000 in liability. I have since increased it dramatically.

 

[crashbb]

I beg to differ. Report all accidents no matter how slight.

If you feel that it is far from your fault, you mark each page with "Information Only" at the top and the bottom.

At the scene of the accident, never admit fault.

What would that do?

 

[jenrose66]

Our DS18 had a car accident, the good thing is there were'nt any injuries. The bad news is he needs another car. We did'nt put a claim in to the insurance because our auto insurance just came down from an accident DH has a few years back. The other driver told DS he was going to have his truck fixed and the accident report said DS said it was his own fault, but he said that what he actually said was it was not the other drivers fault so the guy would'nt get upset (he's new to all this stuff), he did'nt mean it was his own fault just an accident. So now we figure when the driver puts in his claim with the accident report the other guys insurance co. will come back to our insurance looking for money since it says its DS's fault. So now I'm thinking maybe we should put in a claim as well because they will probably raise our insurance even if we don't put in a claim for his car maybe just not as much. Before the accident the car would have been worth around $3000, we think they would total it out, the other guy just had the bumper on his truck shifted to the right so not as big of a claim. We also have a $500 deductible. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Linda

Report the accident. It's better that your insurance company hears from you first rather than the other driver...I've worked in claims and it's considered a negative when the first reporting of an accident comes from someone other than the insured or their agent. You don't have to choose to use your collision coverage to fix your car if you report the accident.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

From a parent of a 25,23 & almost 19... report it! My youngest slide under a pick up truck last year and did nearly $7000 damage to the Corolla... technically her fault, but both people in front of her said it wasn't. She wasn't ticketed, and our insurance went up but not as much as you would have expected... and that was her second accident in 2 months too... her first one she made a right had turn out of a parking lot and just as she did, the person in the left lane decided to change lanes.. not using any blinkers.. they side swiped each other.. both were at fault on that one... again, no ticket. Our insurance did not go up at all with that one.. I have had my share of accidents with my 3 kids.. and we do report them...

 

[hereyago]

I am on the Report It team.

To not do so would be setting yourself up. People are scandalous and will try to get away with whatever they can. Not all people but you can't tell who will or won't be, why take that chance?

I had a accident last year in which a 77 year old man t boned my car. I called my insurance as soon as it happened and I had his info. I called his insurance company and I knew I would have trouble out of him after how he acted after the accident( and for the record ,not every older grumpy person suddenly got that way, some of them were always that way) Not sure if it was his case or not, but 911 shouldn't have to hear a man yelling at the person he hit in the background and send more then 1 cop, just sayin...

When I spoke with his insurance-because I wasn't going to have my insurance take care of it, his insurance told me that he called them and told them he admitted hititng me but it was MY fault, I switched lanes.Um nope not how it happened at all. I said here are witnesses names, numbers here is the cops' number since we didn't get a police report in hand.
He also told them that he would offer to pay me out of pocket, um heck no.

 

[Miz Diz]

ozziejen -- my son was in an accident recently. totally and completely not his fault. the other driver admitted fault and there was a witness -- police report was very clear. her insurance took care of everything -- damage was around just under $1,000. we did not report it to ours -- should we have?

No. No need to report it if the other party is taking care of the damages.
If you report it, your insurance company is going to close the claim. If you were having problems, you could report it later, but in your case - it is already taken care of.

In the OP's situation - they need to report it.

 

[Eastern]

I think NJ is a no fault state. I had a small accident recently and reported it and my insurance company told me I did not need a police report.

 

[jerseygirl81]

I reported it yesterday and someone will be coming to look at DS18s car to access the damage. They already told me if we put in a claim our insurance will go up, NJ insurance is terrible so overpriced to start out and add in a teenage boy it goes way up. After DH had an accident years ago our rates went up. I called around and ended up switching our ins. co. At that time I was told the rate I was given would depend on how much the ins. had to pay out. Thanks for the advice. Linda