WWYD Car accident

[Mizzoufan]

This might be long. Please bear with me.

Okay, the weekend of Halloween my husband backed into someone parked directly behind him. He just didn't see them. It was a guest of one of our neighbors. So he went over to tell them. He told them he was going to call the police get an accident report. They took off before he made it back home. So fast forward to last Friday. They came knocking saying they would turn it in to their insurance but they wanted 500 to pay there deductible. Once, again okay lets get a police report lets exchange info. They don't want the police involved and don't want us to have their info name or number nothing. They said if we don't have the 500 they would take a predated check. That a heck NO. So they came back yesterday same song and dance. They want their deductible paid, I told them I want some estimates or something showing there is damage. I mentioned lets call the police lets get a police report and I will call my car insurance while they are there and we can be done with it. Once again the they turn to leave saying see you in court. Should I call the police and file an report on my side of the accident? Should I call my insurance tell them what's going on. Go talk to neighbors and see if I can get there info to contact them? Or just wait and to see if they take us to court. I know I'm not giving them a postdated check and I'm not going to give them cash for a deductible. I'd rather go through my insurance. Thanks in advance.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I would contact my insurance and file a report. They should be able to tell you whether a police report would be necessary or not.

 

[mamacatnv]

No way would I pay them - if they really turned it into their insurance where the deductible was going to come into the play, their insurance company would be looking for your information.
You can notify your insurance company without a police report - tell them what happened and that you do not have the contact info - then when they come knocking again, give them your insurance information and leave it at that

 

[Swank]

You should have called your insurance when it happened, call now, not too late. Also you should have snapped a picture with your cell, just in case. Not trying to give you a hard time, but I learned the hard way. Everything should be fine but let your insurance company handle it, it is their job.

 

[Mizzoufan]

You should have called your insurance when it happened, call now, not too late. Also you should have snapped a picture with your cell, just in case. Not trying to give you a hard time, but I learned the hard way. Everything should be fine but let your insurance company handle it, it is their job.

You are fine. They don't want to go through my insurance they want cash

 

[verleniahall]

i would contact your insurance and file a report, plus let them both know that they are wanting money upfront and not giving any paperwork or a papertrail

 

[gwynne]

I can't figure out why you didn't call your insurance company immediately. You pay them to help you when you are involved in an accident.
I would call them now. Let them tell you what to do. It's late in the game, and you need an ally as you move forward.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

They want the cash because they don't plan to fix the dent, at least not through a shop. Tell them you're not doing cash & that you're using your insurance company and that you will pay your insurance conpany for the deductible (whatever yours is).

 

[gotomu212]

They don't want to go through my insurance they want cash

They can want a rainbow unicorn but they don't get to decide how they are paid. I'd call your insurance and then when they come back give them a copy of your insurance info and tell them that's how it's going to be handled. If they sue you it's going to have the same result where they'll be working with your insurance. As super shady as they're being I bet nothing comes of it.

PS love your username.

 

[Mizzoufan]

I can't figure out why you didn't call your insurance company immediately. You pay them to help you when you are involved in an accident.
I would call them now. Let them tell you what to do. It's late in the game, and you need an ally as you move forward.

We are dumb. I guess.

 

[Mizzoufan]

They can want a rainbow unicorn but they don't get to decide how they are paid. I'd call your insurance and then when they come back give them a copy of your insurance info and tell them that's how it's going to be handled. If they sue you it's going to have the same result where they'll be working with your insurance. As super shady as they're being I bet nothing comes of it.

PS love your username.

Thanks!!!!!

 

[gwynne]

We are dumb. I guess.

I don't think that. But your insurance is there to help. Let them help you.

 

[Mizzoufan]

I will call my insurance ASAP! I just assumed you need some sort of info to give them.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I will call my insurance ASAP! I just assumed you need some sort of info to give them.

They will ask for whatever info you have. In my experience, they will ask if you know how many people were in the car, where the car was located, licence plate number, possibly the neighbor's address. If you don't know, don't make it up, say so.

 

[okeydokey]

You call your insurance company. They pay for the repair. You pay the deductible.

However, your rates will most likely go up.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I agree with everyone. And the info you can give them is the date/time/location and any info you have on the car that was hit (make, model, color, have you gotten plates, etc) and now you can also tell them how the other party has been acting.
Start there and then write up the insurance info to had to the people if htey show up again--don't even get into a discussion with them otherwise, just tell them you reported it to insurance and here is the info for them to call and repeat (or close and lock the door) if needed.
I am sure it will all be fine.

 

[Klayfish]

This is what I do for a living, auto insurance claims.

Yes, you can/should call your insurance carrier. You should have the other parties info, but if they won't give it to you, that's fine. Give them your neighbors info and they can try to track the person down that way. If they can't, that's fine, they may just close the claim. But at least if the claimants (vehicle owner) comes back to you, you can tell them that you've reported it to your carrier and they will handle the vehicle damages. Give them the claim info and let them decide what to do. I'd bet you $100 they won't sue you, and if they did, that's what your carrier is there for anyway.

They don't have to fix their car if they don't want to, it's up to them. They can take the money for repairs the insurance company gives them and pocket it. Nothing illegal about that. That's a personal decision.

So call your carrier, give the owner that claim info and walk away.

And no, you do NOT pay the deductible. This is a third party liability claim, you do not have a deductible to pay. You don't pay a penny for the claim. Your rates going up? That's possible, depending.

 

[sam_gordon]

I'm guessing the repairs would be less than $500. Either that or they have something to hide with the car (maybe they're using it uninsured). I agree with others, at this point, contact your insurance company and explain everything that has happened to this point. They'll let you know what you need to do/pay (if anything).

 

[Mizzoufan]

I just find it strange they want won;t give us any info or want a police report. If it was me I would.

 

[mjkacmom]

We are dumb. I guess.

DH has been in a similar situation a few times, and we didn't contact our insurance, because we preferred to pay cash OOP and not have our rates go up. We've also allowed others to pay us in cash without contacting our insurance company.